Staff Student Liaison Committee - Meeting Notes

Notes from Department of Civil Engineering Student Staff Liaison Committee Meeting Tuesday 7 May 2002 1 pm

Present

Students
Andrew Reeves BE/BCom 4th Year
Drew Woodhouse BE/BCom 4th Year
Reza Vakili BE 3rd Year
Jerome Johnson BE 2nd Year not present
Mahala McLindin BE 2nd Year
David Lacey BE 2nd Year
Dan Taylor BE 2nd Year
Josh Baker BE 1st Year:
Emily Burton BE 1st Year


Staff
Rob Wheen 1st advisor & Rob Wheen (HOD)
Noel Ings 2nd Year Advisor
David Airey 3rd Year Advisor
Kim Rasmussen 4th Year Advisor
George Slack Civil Engineering Foundation Officer
Tim Wilkinson Civil Engineering Webmaster

1. Welcome: The Head of Department, Rob Wheen, welcomed all members, particularly new first year student members, Josh and Emily.

2. Matters arising from last meeting August 2001

Common Room - The Common Room, Room 338 was open and being used well.

Courses with Online Content: Rob Wheen noted that an increasing number of courses had some online content and/or resources this semester and was encouraging staff to do so (See the "current students page")

First year camp: Drew Woodhouse & Andrew Reeves would be investigating a first year camp as part of their thesis.

3. Hawkins Lab
Tim Wilkinson spoke of the access arrangements for the Hawkins Lab. It was unfortunate that due to some administrative teething problems, some small changes to the access policy would be required again. The main aim was to have a fair and equitable access policy. A new policy would be sent out soon using as wide a distribution as possible, noticeboards, electronic bulletin board, classes etc.

4. CIVL3803/CIVL4803 Project Appraisal/Engineering Management -
It was brought up that the students felt that there was insufficient tutoring available in the timetabled sessions. The students said they had brought up the issue with the lecturer, but felt it had not been resolved satisfactorily. Rob Wheen agreed to investigate.

5. Elections - The matter of organising elections for new representatives was discussed Several issues relating to the exact time of these elections are still to be finalised.

6. Meeting Schedule - Rob Wheen noted that he would like to have 3 meetings a year, one about week 7 of Semester 1, and others in about week 2 and week 11 of Semester 2 (most likely Tues 6 August & Tues 15 October 2002).

7. Private Tutoring - Tmne Blair had asked for the issue of how students might get private tutoring from senior students and how how they could be contacted. From the academics point of view, it was felt a great idea to have later year students involved in early year tutoring as it fosters better academic and social links in the department, and it can be useful to both the tutor and student. The possibility of providing course credits for tutoring was discussed. From the student point of view, the mention of cost/fees was mentioned. Academics were wary of "untrained" later year students tutoring students, particularly if they were not fully aware of course content. It was thought that SUCE and the electronic bulletin board might be good ways to get students together. IT was mentioned that many students feel a little intimidated approaching staff and this type of system would be good. It was decided that this matter needed further consideration, and should be implemented properly, and would be needed to be discussed at a department academic staff meeting.

8. AOB - Union Catering - Students had expressed dissatisfaction with the quality of the food at the Union Shop in Engineering. This is a matter for students to take up directly with the University of Sydney Union. There was also mention of the neeed for more seating. Rob Wheen would approach Facilities Management if he was petitioned by a significant number of people asking about the possibility of more seating in the area..

9. AOB - Mid-Semester Quiz - David Airey brought up that the department had tried to specifically set aside week 7 of most semesters as a designated mid-semester quiz week, and sought student feedback on the issue. There was not much complaint (or approval!) of this system, and it was agreed that it was good to focus students on their work to date. IT was suggested that even more regular "testing" might be good, but noted that resources made it difficult to mark many tests.

10. AOB - Civil Engineering Drawing Office - Students noted that the Drawing Office was very hot and stuffy. It was acknowledged that there were no fans and the windows did not open fully. Tim Wilkinson said that if the walkway doors could be hooked open, than at least the ventilation through the Drawing Office could be improved.

11. AOB - Physics talk - Upcoming event in Physics with Dr Karl.

12. AOB - Electronic Bulletin Board - Tim Wilkinson mentioned the Electronic Bulletin Board - http://www.civil.usyd.edu.au/cs_bulletin.php was being trialled this semester, and it is hoped with about 2 years it will become the primary means of communication between staff and students, and between students.

Meeting closed at 2 pm