Questions for the Dean: How does the administration know what the students want? Where can the undergraduate student voice be heard? What committees can students sit on? (Student questions submitted to Meg Bauman, SRO)
The Faculty of Engineering values our undergraduate students. The students are at the core of Waterloo’s Engineering program and help us strive for excellence. The student “voice” can be heard in a variety of ways in Engineering.
Students have representatives on a variety of committees: Faculty Undergraduate Studies Council (FUGS), Engineering Faculty Council (EFC), Examination and Promotions (E&P), Senate Undergraduate Council (SUC), WatPD-Engineering Curriculum Committee (CC), Cooperative Education Council (CEC), and Engineering Coop Working Group (CWG) – just to name a few. These student leaders are chosen by the student body to represent you.
Both Engineering Society presidents are ex-officio members of Engineering Faculty Council and ensure the undergraduates are represented. The administration has an interest in giving the students a vote on EFC agenda items. When the Council assembles this June it will address this issue. The department Chairs are a part of making many of the important decisions that directly affect the student body. The Chairs are entrusted to act in the best interest of the students and the program. Every Chair position is appointed by a committee which has a student representative.
The Student Relations Officer position (currently Meg Bauman) was created in 2008 in the interest of improving student relations with the administration, which was a direct result of the Vision 2010 plan.
Moving into the planning phase for Vision 2015 all Engineering departments and the Faculty are currently conducting self-study. The departments are soliciting undergraduate feedback through various methods, including student surveys – though it may not seem like an important activity to a busy student, the information received is vital to the program. Many departments have also selected student representatives to assist them with the self-study. During the development of their draft plans, department and faculty undergraduate committees will include student representation, with some departments choosing multiple students. Full participation lists of these committees will be posted on the Planning web pages so you can share opinions with your representative.
Trust that you are being represented well. Student leaders in recent years have put forth excellent effort, and shown themselves to be informed and passionate about the Engineering student experience.
We would like to hear from you. Please attend the Town Hall meeting for Vision 2015 February 2, 2011 at 5:30 – 7:00pm in E5 3101&3102. This is your opportunity to have your voice be heard.
If you have a question you’d like Dean Sedra to answer please submit your questions to Meg Bauman, SRO mebauman@uwaterloo.ca.
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