SGM discussion focussed on digitization, access and campus signage
I was impressed with the number of students who attended our Special General Meeting this week. Agenda items were the ratifying of previous years accounts and annual report as well as a discussion forum on topics that are affecting extramural students.
Discussion topics were digitization, the cost of study and barriers to study. I have commented already on the increasing costs and barriers to extramural study so will only say that the discussion was lively and mirrored my own opinion and experience. I was happy to report that while at a recent Tertiary Education Commission Board meeting I was able to propose to the Commissioners that they retain the words “students are the most important stakeholder in tertiary education” which is a line that exists in current investment guidance for universities. I was also able to suggest to the TEC Commissioners that any assessment of ‘completion’ should include recognition of the status (part-time of full-time) of study.
Digitization was a hot topic. It was agreed that students want choice, want no additional cost and if study material was to be digitized then it should be done to incorporate the full potential of that media. Scanned documents with an annotating tool simply is not good enough. Changes should be to enhance the learning experience not to cut costs.
I see it as vitally important that we have discussions of this kind. Not only does it inform me of your priorities as student but it assures me that I am representing students correctly.
There was one topic that was only touched on – volentary membership of student associations. If you want to read the submission made to the select committee or have a say of then please leave a comment on the Voluntary Membership page of this blog.
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