My tale of me - Chris Jenkinson

I think Shamir Patel, in his article “An apathetic attitude”, does a disservice to the hard work the several hundred course representatives do across the university. Being a course rep does not lead to infamy with your photo on the front page of Student Direct or many column inches, but it does lead to respect, experience, and most importantly change.

Finding out what students want changing is simple – persuading the people with the purse strings to agree to that change is a lot more complicated. It’s not whinging to sit in meetings, argue with staff and win improvements for students.

Hardworking course reps in the past have won changes to teaching to make it more personal, changes to the feedback we receive on the work we do, and the 24 hour library we’ll have at the next exam period.

I’m proud of the course reps at this university, and students should be too.

I’ve just come across a blog by the Associate Dean for Teaching & Learning in the Faculty of Medical & Human Sciences at the University of Manchester, Professor Kevin O’Brien. It’s well worth reading - especially for students within the faculty, but also for those outside who now may be looking on with envy at what MHS is offering!

I’d be interested in hearing from other students/staff at the University of Manchester who blog or are aware of other blogs from students/staff - please leave a comment!