Postgrad Sabb Information
Last edited by Antony Chung (2008-01-20 00:25:48)
There are two postgraduate non-sabbatical officers. These are not part of the GSA exec committee and form part of the main Student Union directly.
For details of the sabbatical officer situation, see below.
(Sabbatical officers are full-time officers of the student union and take a one-year break from studies.)
Non-Sabbatical Officers
Jo Heaton and Ben Green are voluntary officers within LUSU who take your issues to academic/union councils, Senate and other committees on your behalf. (Note from editor: these positions may have changed since this information was provided.)
Postgraduate Sabbatical Officer
On page 13 of the March 12th edition of Scan, there are three articles about the Postgraduate Sabbatical officer, or rather, the lack of one. Read it in full.
Many current grad students may be unaware of the referendum vote that happened last year, in which an overwhelming 88% of students voted 'yes,' that there should be a Postgrad Sabb Officer position created.
Graduate students generally have less time than undergraduates to devote to college life, and many students are only here for a one year course, not only resulting in less experience, but also ensuring a lack of the continuity that is enjoyed by JCRs. Although, due to these reasons, LUSU's elected officers are mainly undergrads, LUSU represents graduate as well as undergraduate students. However LUSU sometimes does not understand the needs and differences experienced by graduates (who are also often international students), and some LUSU officers can view the lack of engagement as indifference to campus life, so, in turn do not reach out to the graduate community.
The PG Sabb would be an attempt to fix this - a graduate student (either taking a year out, or the year after their course finished) is elected to a full-time, paid position, and who would work with LUSU and the GSA on the issues that affect the graduate population.
Duties may include: representing the diverse graduate student body at the university level; improving welfare provisions and facilities, handling matters relating to taught courses and graduates who teach; and strengthening continuity and organisation of the GSA. The post may also act as President of the GSA.
Nothing towards the creation of this post has, so far, happened, despite support from: LUSU, Grad College SCR, the GSA, the graduate community, and the whole student body.
"I'm leaving this year - why should I care?"
- You may have paid a large amount of money to the university - surely they should be providing you the best service possible for your money?
- You probably have friends and acquaintances who will still be here to benefit.
- You may decide to stay on for further study.
- Improving standards for graduates will improve the status of Lancaster University, and of your degree, even after you have left.
Links
- LUSU Postgraduate Representation Study (PDF format).
- NPC Post Referendum article
- "Why is there still no Postgrad Sabb?" Facebook Group
Glossary
- Postgraduate, PG, graduate, grad - a Masters or PhD student.
- Sabbatical - a period of leave from studies, to fulfil some goal.
- LUSU - Lancaster University Student Union - represents all students, based under SPAR.
- JCR - Junior Common Room - elected body of students in undergraduate colleges.
- GSA - Graduate Student Association - the Grad college equivalent of the JCR; represents all graduate students.
- SCR - Senior Common Room - body of non-students who run the college.