7.6
Postgraduate Representation

The postgraduate representative system is far less structured and developed than the undergraduate model, with few elected representatives across the academic departments. Kent Union is currently working with the University to increase postgraduate representation but this will not be developed for some time. Most academic departments have volunteers who act as representative on department and faculty committees but are not elected through formal means.

Representatives at the PGR Focus Group suggested:

“There is a feeling amongst the PG community that PG students are not sufficiently represented, the exception being in Law….In departments where representation is not that strong it seems that students feel happy to go and speak with a member of staff regarding issues”

In the 2008 Course Rep survey a postgraduate course representative noted:

“There seems to be little support from within the department to support post graduate representatives and the students do not see what there purpose is, nor do they seem to benefit from a rep. I think the purpose of having a representative should be made clearer. Also there is little promotion for postgraduate reps.”

Kent Union has a postgraduate part-time officer in post for this academic year but in previous years the post has often remain unfilled. Kent Union has a strategic commitment to enhancing the experience of postgraduate students studying at Kent and in 2008/09 intends to increase postgraduate representation in order that PGT and PGR students are adequately represented. The University appears to share this commitment for the postgraduate community and it is anticipated that there will be more elected post graduated representatives in future years.