Staff-Student Liaison Committee Meeting held on 9 th February 2015, at 1pm. Committee Room 1 of the University of Liverpool Management School

Transcription

1 Staff-Student Liaison Committee Meeting held on 9 th February 2015, at 1pm. Committee Room 1 of the University of Liverpool Management School Present Claire Moxham (CM) Director of Online MBA & MSc Programmes; UoL Director of Studies for MBA Fotios Misopoulos (FM) Director of Studies for MPM UoL Lynn McClymont (LM) Senior Online Administrator/MOOCs UoL Administrator Magdalena Garbulinska (MG) Student Experience Administrator UoL Michael Breckenridge (MB) Faculty Student Voice Co-Ordinator Liverpool Guild of Students Nick Greer (NG) Operations Manager; Director of Studies for UoL HRM Tracy McCrann (TM ) Student Experience Administrator UoL Victoria McCall (VM) Director of Studies for Management and Marketing UoL Phone bridge Peter Wilkins (PW) Programme Director Management Laureate Programmes Michail Koubouros (MK) Programme Director - Accounting & Finance Laureate Stephen Merrifield Student Support Manager Laureate Abdullah Nouh (AN) Anish Kumar (AK) Jonathan Duri (JD) Marlene Ross (MR) Numan Shqair (NS) Samar Ammar (SA) Student Representative MBA Student Representative - MOS Student Representative Accounting & Finance and Corporate Finance Student Representative Management Student Representative MPM Student Representative Marketing Apologies: Bethan Jones-Davies Matthew Tickle Paul Catherall Sue Green MBA/MCF/MIF 1. CM welcomed all attendees to the SSLC for the MBA and Accounting and Finance programmes and introductions were made. 2. Review of previous Minutes/Action Points

2 SM followed up on SG s remark that the responses from Student Support are still being delayed. SM clarified that turnaround time for replying to student enquiries is 48hrs and the perceived delay may in fact be due to confusion caused by changes in Laureate s internal student support structure (i.e. replies coming from different accounts). CM was asked in the previous meeting to look into early release of teaching material. CM explained that the structure of the programme and the systems used do not support this and there is the possibility that this practice may give some students an unfair advantage over others. CM added that module specifications and pre-reading material are available in Blackboard and can be downloaded and should students wish to prepare prior to commencement of the class. Feedback was received at the previous meeting about Dissertation Advisors (DAs) not responding to requests for supervision from MBA students. CM followed up on this and can confirm that all DAs should reply to student requests for supervision even if it is to say that they cannot accept the student. There are some examples of current practice by students that are hindering the matching process, namely: - Students ing a number of DAs simultaneously (sometimes by using a blanket ). - Students accepting an offer from one DA only to turn it down later when another DA responds to their request. It is therefore advised that students approach one DA at a time and if they do not receive feedback in a timely manner to let their SSM know so that it can be followed up. Action point 4 regarding the use of communities and synchronous chat functions (PCo) PCo will feedback at the next meeting. MBA Discussion Items CM invited AN to present his feedback for the MBA programme. A report was received with sixteen items. The first issue was the large fee increase due to currency exchange rates in Russia. CM explained that such issues are important for the student representative to bring to an appropriate forum, however this is outside of SSLC scope. SM asked AN to attend a separate meeting after the SSLC to discuss finance-related comments made by students and to forward obtained information to students. Action SM and AN Communication A significant proportion of issues regarding communication were received particularly students not knowing who their Student Support Managers are or how to contact them. Students do not know the structure/scope of support available to them and do not know who to ask for help. SM was concerned about this feedback and asked AN to attend a separate meeting after the SSLC to discuss these issues and provide information to feedback to the students. Action SM and AN A point was raised about infrequent communication between students and dissertation advisors. It is important to note that at the dissertation stage the process is very much student led. Students need to agree the communication arrangements with their dissertation advisor (i.e. time plans, submission feedback schedule etc) at the outset of their relationship. CM added that if there are delayed replies, or lack of thereof, the student should contact their SSM.

3 Material Quality Another issue raised was the quality of videos. Students have reported problems with material quality and size. Students have reported difficulties downloading videos. CM explained the MBA teaching material is currently being updated and it may be that the videos mentioned are currently scheduled to be upgraded. PW added that technical issues with teaching material should be reported to the instructor as and when they are spotted so that attempts to rectify them can be as swift as possible. Workload AN observed that the workload on some modules is too high, some modules are too long, and others are too short e.g. Being A Leader and Accounting and Finance, one being 12 weeks and the other being 8 weeks CM explained that the intake module includes four weeks of orientation. AN added that it would be useful to have the basics (e.g. calculations) recapped at the beginning of the module. MK observed that such refreshers are a good idea and that more support for students does need to be considered. MK also noted that the A & F modules are designed to provide an introduction to Accounting and Finance and Corporate Finance and do not require a sophisticated knowledge of quantitative analysis. Lengthening of modules will have an adverse effect on the time it takes to complete the MBA programme and was not considered as necessary from an academic standpoint. CM and MK agreed to discuss the issue with SG during the next MBA Programme Team Meeting and update AN at the next SSLC meeting. Action: CM,MK &SG Deadline flexibility. CM explained that flexibility in the online programmes descriptions means geographical flexibility in studying and not amending the programme and module structure. CM added that should students struggle to meet deadlines, they should talk to their Student Support Manager and use the appropriate procedures (i.e. extensions and mitigating circumstances). MK commented the SSLC meetings are not the correct forum for these types of discussions and should be outside of these meetings. There was a request to record live lectures and make them available via Blackboard. CM explained that the online MBA incorporates videos which are often recordings of live lectures and should be viewed by students as part of the learning materials. Grading Issues Students reported a lack of clarity regarding the grading system. AN observed that students do not know the difference between the British and American grading system. PW briefly explained - work graded at 70%+ is of very good quality and work graded at 80%+ is of an excellent and potentially publishable quality, comparable to American 100%. SM explained that a grading chart is available in the student handbook. Accounting and Finance/Corporate Finance Programmes Discussion items CM invited JD to present his feedback for the MSc International Accounting and Finance and MSc Corporate Finance programmes, which was not received ahead of the meeting, but the connection was lost and could not be restored. CM confirmed JD would receive feedback from the DoS once the report had been received and considered. Action: SG

4 MPM/MOS 1. FM welcomed all attendees to the SSLC and introductions were made. FM explained that the MOS DoS was not able to attend the meeting due to teaching commitments. The representative for the MOS programme, Anish Kumar was informed SM will contact him outside this meeting and the minutes from the meeting will be available to him SM confirmed all MOS issues have been raised within the feedback of the other programmes. 2. Discussion Items. Grade notification Students were reporting the difficulties around having grades sent to 3 different accounts including their private account and are requesting that the grades be sent to just their personal account. LM reported this is not possible as they must be sent to an official account and we needed to look into why a personal account was being used for feedback for grades. Action - LM Library Issues Students reporting the web links are not always responsive or are not present and students are requesting PDFs be attached to save time MA reported on the copyright laws which prevent PDFs being attached. Students should also contact the Library immediately if they are having issues regarding reading material not being available or contact their instructor. Action FM to follow up Blackboard Software/Communication Students highlighted the lack of interaction between students and blackboard as being outdated SM reported there is a chat option on the platform and that Laureate are working on a social Media platform in the meantime students can network via other applications such as LENS Skype and Facebook and that networking is encouraged. Material Release Students are requesting if the Syllabus of each module could be made available early before the class opens as some modules require more reading than others. FM confirmed the reason for not disclosing the syllabus early is because it would give an unfair advantage to some students. Also cohorts of students need to be working on the same material at the same time and be guided through at the same time. Registration of Modules/Tutors Students are asking if they can choose instructors for the modules they are selecting. MA confirmed this is not possible as faculty do not know who will be teaching modules until the start of the class, which is also dependent on how popular a class is, how many classes are running etc., and students may select a tutor who isn t teaching in that particular term. Consistency between Instructors Students are reporting inconsistencies between instructors regarding word count, grading, number of postings. FM reported the University of Liverpool monitor the classrooms for consistency regarding grading and feedback to students and it is the UoL who set the standards. FM reported a student can achieve an A grade with 3 substantial and insightful posts the instructors will use their

5 academic judgment regarding contribution to knowledge when grading, and the monitoring ensures consistency. Instructor Feedback Students reporting feedback not received early enough to improve before they move onto the following week and required clarification on the expectations. MA confirmed instructors have until Saturday to submit their feedback. It is also important to note that students are receiving constant feedback on their work through peer responses as part of the discussion forum and from their instructor. Feedback is not just limited to assignment grading. Student Support Services Students were reporting complaints regarding response time to complaints/queries. SM was surprised by this issue stating the feedback being received was the opposite: SM to discuss with Christian Burwood to see what the issues are. SM also asked if the s for these particular issues could be forwarded to him to investigate further. Action SM to follow up Mobile/Tablet Devices Students reporting on slowness of opening videos on mobile devices -lots of students spend time travelling and sitting in airports and try to open videos on their mobiles which proves to be really slow FM consideration is being given to light pages - SM this is something which is under current review. MGM/MMA/MHR 1. VM and NG welcomed all attendees to the meeting and introductions were made. No feedback received ahead of the meeting. 2. Review of previous Minutes/Action Point Action point 1 VM This will be addressed during the upcoming BoS and will be reported back at the next meeting. Action point 2 3 PCo These items are being addressed in the newly developed modules. Action point NG This matter is ongoing and is being discussed at the next board. MR reported on the following issues received from students: Grading - Grading unclear, workload for the dissertation was too heavy, students were not being kept together as they moved through the programme and out of date articles. VMc reported the feedback from instructors is clear and that grading grids were available for students in the student handbook. The workload is being addressed through the upgrade of the programmes, so hopefully these issues are from students on the old model of the programme the new model has addressed the workload and has created more of a cohort structure which is keeping students together in groups. VMc also pointed out if there are internet issues students in the first instance should contact their Instructor/Student Support Team who can report these matters internally if appropriate.

6 Out of date material - MR also reported DQs are very old and this does have an effect on assignments when submitting through Turnitin. VMc reported the programme has recently been through an upgrade which addresses old DQs and old articles. VMc also reported that students at Master s level are expected to research and get more up to date articles which is part of the learning experience. SA enquired if all the tutor/instructors had a PhD or Masters qualification NG confirmed that the School had AACSB accreditation which requires Professional, and continued development of staff in order to meet their high standards. Guidelines MR also reported on the lack of guidelines available to students during the dissertation, specifically the lack of feedback to students regarding their dissertation NG confirmed this matter is under review and feedback is provided to students MR reported on a particular student who had failed their dissertation and could not move forward until they had received feedback from the DA advisor, which was not forthcoming. NG also confirmed members of the SSLC cannot comment on individual cases. MB confirmed the Guild of Students can offer help to student regarding this issue which is independent to the UoL. Action SM & VMc to pick up outside this meeting Bursars Office - Complaints received regarding invoices SM commented that by the nature of the Online Programmes there will always be arising issues which is due to matters such as multiple currencies, rising and falling exchange rates, but also confirmed there had been a re-shuffle of the Bursars office recently which will hopefully help to resolve some re-occurring issues. Students have complained about not being informed of the basics, for example, who their Student Support Manager is. SM confirmed this issue has been re-occurring throughout the SSLC meeting which is being discussed and will be reported back in the May meeting. Action -SM Timely responses - Lack of response from SSM - SM again confirmed this is the second time this issue has arisen in the SSLC meeting which is difficult to understand SSMs reach out to their students every 2 weeks to ensure they are on track and where they should be SM to contact Marlene outside this meeting to discuss exactly what the issues are. SM to report back at the next SSLC meeting. Action SM Students requested clarification of the meaning one week VMc reported UoL are currently reviewing the guidelines so that this issue is clearer and more comprehensible. HR Programme. No feedback was received. AOB NG raised a couple of concerns:

7 1. Feedback for the SSLC meetings to be received in a timely manner to enable a good meeting. 2. Individual cases are not to be discussed at these meetings. Meeting Closed: 4pm Date of Next Meeting: To be confirmed