Student Consultative Network and Vice Chancellors Leadership Development Program

The Swinburne Student Consultative Network (SCN) provides a platform for student representation that includes SUT boards and committees, as well as the SSAA Board. Primarily, it provides an avenue for students to directly contribute to SUT's policies and procedures which govern student life. This ensures that student members of the Swinburne community are able to provide feedback about their course, social and general issues relating to student life on campus and to have direct input into their learning environment.

The SCN incorporates the Vice Chancellors Leadership Program and is part of the SSAA Student Leadership Program. This program will give SCN members the opportunity to participate in a variety of activities designed to develop the leadership skills of students. They will include the formal accredited modules, outlined in the following, as well as the incorporation of induction program and participation on boards, committees and other areas throughout the year.

What is the role of SCN?

Student representation plays a pivotal role within the Swinburne community as this ensures that the University's student members have local avenues for input into their learning environment. The Council, Academic Board, Board of TAFE studies and University Faculties hold regular board and committee meetings and are required to have student representation at these meetings. The role of the SCN members is to attend these meetings and ensure that students have a voice within Swinburne, providing feedback about their course and address matters that affect the wellbeing of students by participating in decision making processes addressed in meetings.

Your role

As a SCN member you will be required to attend and participate at board and committee meetings as well as Academic Panels and Hearings. It is important for you as a student representative to ensure that you are informed of and aware of student issues and problems. This means talking to other students and letting them know that you are there to represent them on any course related issues they may be having. Keep in mind that you may need to be pro-active in your approach in spreading the word as you will be representing the needs of more students than just your close friends. These following areas can all be incorporated and accredited within the VC's Leadership Program.

Board and Committee Meetings

Most meetings are held on a regular basis. Your participation will depend on the board or committee you sit on and how involved you wish to be. Meetings may also include for example participating in standing committees of Council or Academic Board as well as academic panels and hearings. SSAA Student Academic Advisors will provide training, background and a full briefing to SCN members prior to meetings in order to help you in your roles. It is also a good idea to have debriefs with your Academic Advisors to help you with any problems you may have encountered in the meeting.

Dates of meetings for all Faculties are available in the SCN Induction Manual.

Academic Panels and Hearings

You may be required to attend Faculty Academic Panels and hearings during your time as SCN member. This may include panels relating to; Results, Special Consideration, Progress Review or Appeals amongst others. SSAA staff will provide training and support prior to these meetings.

Training Modules

Training Modules As a STUDENT CONSULTATIVE NETWORK member you will have the opportunity to receive formal training by participating in customised modules developed by the School of Business specifically catered towards leadership. Specific modules will be advised of during the year.

What recognition will you receive?

All students that actively participate and meet the required contact hours by attending meetings, academic panels, hearings and training sessions will qualify for an official certificate of participation from the Vice Chancellor which will detail your role and participation.

What activities will you participate in?

SCN members who complete a minimum of 15 hours per semester of participation from the following:

• voluntary service at Swinburne as a student representative on a board or committee;
• voluntary service at Swinburne as a student representative on a student academic panel or hearing relevant workshops and training
• & attend 80% of the board or committee meetings to which they are elected
• are eligible to receive a Swinburne SCN official certificate of participation from the Vice Chancellor.

How will your participation be recorded?

The presenter or staff member will record your participation by signing off on your Student Leadership Program Log Sheet. You must ensure that it is signed off immediately after a meeting, panel or hearing and/or that your attendance is recorded on the minutes of the meeting.

To qualify for the official certificate of participation you must:

Complete a Student Leadership Program Log Sheet, signed by a staff member that verifies that you have attended the academic panel or any training or workshops as a SCN member each time you attend. Click here for Student Leadership Program Log Sheet.

Forward it to an SCN Officer at the SSAA office at the end of the semester. The information will then be updated onto the Student Leadership Program database.

Keep in mind that for each academic panel or hearing you attend you will be allocated a minimum of 2 hours (this includes one hour for preparation and one hour minimum for the meeting).

At the end of the year, once SSAA has record of your completed attendance at the required training and service, you will be invited to attend a Student Leadership Program presentation event where you will be issued with your official certificate and may be awarded the SSAA Student Leadership Program Participant of the Year!