1. Welcome

NB: The meeting will be recorded and published online. Notice. 

Discussion Guidelines. 

3. FOR APPROVAL: The minutes from the last meeting. 

Guild Council must agree the notes accurately reflect the last meeting. 
Paper: GUILD COUNCIL – 2021.11.11 – NOTES – draft. 

6. FOR DISCUSSION: Review of personal tutor provision across the University.

All students have a personal tutor, but what this actually means varies between college/course and even student. Personal tutors can have a huge impact on both academic and more general support during your time at university. My hope is that by reviewing students' (and staff's) expectations about what this relationship looks like and what support is provided we can make personal tutors a much more equitable resource across the university.

The first step is to gather information from students about current provision and their thoughts on this; Is it what you expected? Is it helpful? What is missing?

College Officers are asked to bring a summary of personal tutor practises in their college and to give an opinion of the state of personal tutor provision within their college informed by student feedback.

The purpose of this discussion is to establish the next steps for the review of personal tutor provision. In January, we will begin gathering feedback from staff perspective in order to draw up a best practice framework as a collaboration between students and staff.

7. FOR DISCUSSION: Student Wellbeing Forum - student influence in their mental health and wellbeing. 

The University and the Guild are trying to work together to create a 'Student Wellbeing Forum' to provide students the ability to have a say on their wellbeing, and bring them into the same spaces as staff. We would like some student feedback on some ways this could be done effectively, as well as other suggestions on what are good ways for students to engage.

8. FOR DISCUSSION: Discussion - the set-up and objectives of an International Student Working Group.

As per a priority this year I would like to ensure non-UK students have the best possible student experience here at Exeter. Every student, no matter where they come from, should feel a sense of belonging. For students to feel a sense of belonging their environment must be welcoming and cater to their needs. Exeter has a wide international student population, this is fantastic for our diversity, but I believe there is a lot to be done to improve the international student experience. A good starting point will be setting up an international student working group that can identify key issues within the university at the moment, as well as suggesting priorities for areas to work on, and some solutions to issues!

In Guild Council I would like to discuss the following:
- Membership of the group (should this be a closed group with selected representatives or a more open/townhall style event)
- Objectives of the group
- Regularity of meetings
- Any issues faced by international students currently known by attendees of council

The aim will be to get this working group running for Term 2. There is an 'Let's Talk : International Students' event which will also feed into its formation happening on Wednesday 1st December.