"World-first" students' assembly was formed to deliberate on how to make student representation more open to a diverse range of people and enhance student engagement.
Problems and Purpose
Student engagement has been declining in universities, with it becoming more apparent that only certain types of people or demographics take up student representative or leadership roles. In an attempt to change the way student presentation has been done, Western Sydney University partnered with newDemocracy Foundation to set up a students' assembly where participants were asked to respond to the question "How should students have a voice at Western Sydney University?" [1]
Background History and Context
There is a lack of engagement from many students at university in student representative and leadership roles. Currently, these roles tend to be filled by "politically active and ambitious students", consequently leading to less representation of some student demographics. This has been thought to have a flow-on effect into political representation beyond university. [2]
Organizing, Supporting, and Funding Entities
Western Sydney University initiated and funded the students' panel.
newDemocracy Foundation organised it.
Participant Recruitment and Selection
32 students were selected through random stratified sampling.
Methods and Tools Used
Citizens' panel
What Went On: Process, Interaction, and Participation
Participants met four times across Semester 1 2022. These meetings were held over two months, with a meeting held once every three weeks. [3]
It was proposed that the four meetings will take place in the following way:
- Meeting 1: introduction to process, get to know each other, critical thinking skills, learning of the issue of student representation, requests for further information and guest speakers
- Meeting 2: guest speaker presentations, small group deliberations
- Meeting 3: guest speaker presentations (if requested), small group deliberations, draft recommendations
- Meeting 4: finalising recommendations and report, present report to Western Sydney University's Vice-Chancellor [4]
Influence, Outcomes, and Effects
Recommendations report presented to WSU's Vice Chancellor who adopted them. A Project Officer was assigned to work to implement these recommendations across the university. [5]
Analysis and Lessons Learned
See Also
Student Citizens' Jury Information Pack
Student Citizens' Jury Response
References
[1] newDemocracy Foundation (n.d.) Western Sydney University Students' Panel (2022). Accessed at: https://www.newdemocracy.com.au/2022/01/10/5617/
[2] Ibid.
[3] Western Sydney University Student Panel Report (n.d.). Accessed at: https://www.westernsydney.edu.au/currentstudents/current_students/services_and_facilities/student_representation_and_participation_at_uws/citizens_panel
[4] Western Sydney University & newDemocracy Foundation (n.d.) Rethinking Student Representation Project Design Proposal. Accessed at: https://www.newdemocracy.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/WSU-Project-Design.pdf
[5] Western Sydney University (n.d.) Student Citizens' Panel. Accessed at: https://www.westernsydney.edu.au/currentstudents/current_students/services_and_facilities/student_representation_and_participation_at_uws/citizens_panel