You may have heard and seen us around campus talking about the Representation Review.
What is representation, and why does it matter?
As your Students’ Guild, we are here to represent your voices, your needs and ultimately ensure you have the best possible experience at university. To do that; we operate on a representation model, our members (that’s you!) can give your feedback, and we use this to improve both our services to you, and advocate for positive changes in the University more widely.
As we are independent from the University, we can get into the right spaces with University teams to lobby them for the changes you’ve told us will enhance your time at Exeter.
Why can’t the University do this?
As part of the University’s charter, statutes and ordinances “there shall be a Students’ Guild, and the objects of the Guild are the advancement of education of students at the University of Exeter for the public benefit by:
(a) promoting the interest and welfare of students at the University of Exeter during their course of study and representing, supporting and advising the students;
(b) being the recognised representative channel between students and the University of Exeter and any other external bodies; and
(c) providing social, cultural, sporting and recreational activities and forums for discussions and debate for the personal development of its students”.
As you can see, representation is a key part of why we exist for our members. However, a lot has changed over the past 20 years in higher education. Things like student numbers have increased dramatically, and we’ve also seen an increase in online learning. We’ve asked you too, and students agree that representation needs to change.
What do current Officers think?
Hear from Gemma, Rose, Seb and Kira to get their views on why we need the Rep Review.
Kira:
“The idea of the representation review, in my opinion, is to bring more students into our day to day, give more students a platform to create the change that works for them, and to pay students for their hard work in a time where so many of us are struggling.”
Being in my second year in post, I've seen the Representation Review come pretty far. When I was first elected as an officer, I had some real concerns about the idea of reducing the number of officers, convinced it would limit our capacity for making change and take us in entirely the wrong direction as an organisation. However, as my first term in post unfolded, I realised that there are, in fact, real problems with the officer model, not only for us as officers, but for students who want to see someone like them making change. The student population is more diverse year on year, and so our representation structure gets harder and harder to manage. The idea of the representation review, in my opinion, is to bring more students into our day to day, give more students a platform to create the change that works for them, and to pay students for their hard work in a time where so many of us are struggling.
Gemma:
“The Rep Review is a fantastic opportunity for employment on campus; it’ll be great this time next year to know more students are employed on campus in roles that are flexible around their degree.”
With the Representation Review, I think about all the societies we can further engage by having more people involved! I can only be in so many places at once! How this might look can be shaped by students, especially our society leaders who know what model might work for them moving forward. And hopefully we will see them in some of these roles next year, helping to shape the societies they are in, raising concerns they see first-hand and creating new initiatives that they can see through. All while getting paid! I think the Rep Review is a fantastic opportunity for employment on campus, it’ll be great this time next year to know more students are employed on campus in roles that are flexible around their degree.
Rose:
“This gives you an opportunity to shape how you want to be represented, it is a great way to feel empowered and for every community to get what they need to help them thrive.”
For me, Representation involving more people who are passionate about making the student experience better is a great chance for us to create a better sense of belonging at university. As Communities and Equality Officer, I have noticed how different communities experience different barriers and need different targeting points especially in a diverse University like Exeter. However, with more people representing their communities, there is effectiveness in change which would mean more people would feel seen and heard. Plus, there is a cherry on top - you can do this alongside your studies and get paid for it! This gives you an opportunity to shape how you want to be represented, whether it is by a group of people, someone who looks like you or someone who shares similar experiences to you, it is a great way to feel empowered and for every community to get what they need to help them thrive.
Seb:
“It's a student-built system that is flexible and responsive to the needs and wants of students. No voice left behind.”
The Rep Review has been such a journey for me! I recall the moment I first found out about it and the instant panic that followed. Things were changing, and I wasn't entirely convinced I liked it. But everything flipped when I was elected Education Officer. Suddenly, I was representing over 30,000 students, each with their own individual story, all of whom deserved to be heard. Naturally, people want to be heard, but those opportunities weren't all there; the system itself was becoming the greatest barrier. That's what ultimately sold me on the rep review, it doesn't try to impose a structure on students, it empowers us to build a system that works for us. It's a student-built system that is flexible and responsive to the needs and wants of students. No voice left behind.
What's next?
We’re in the final stages of the review now, getting your thoughts and soon we’ll be able to present you with some new models, with new roles, new voices and a new way of making representation work for you.
In December, we’ll confirm the new two-Officer model and what they’ll do, plus the wider structure of rep and leadership roles.
Nominations open on 8 December until 22 January to stand for one of the new positions or full-time Officer roles starting 2026/27.