Student consultation process

James Cook University recognises the JCU Student Association (JCUSA) as the elected representative voice of the student body. The University consults with the elected representatives of the JCU Student Association on matters generally pertaining to the interests of students through the following mechanisms:

• Regular, scheduled meetings between the Vice-Chancellor and the JCUSA President;
• Regular, scheduled meetings between the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Students) and the JCUSA President;
• Regular meetings with senior staff and relevant elected student representatives;
• A Vice-Chancellor-appointed nominee on the JCU Student Association Student Council (who is the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Students));
• Extraordinary meetings;
• Requests to JCU Student Association for opinion and comment

The University includes elected student members on its decision-making bodies (e.g. University Council and Divisional/College Boards) to provide a student perspective in the decision-making process. Academic Board also has student members who are appointed by the Academic Board Executive after an expression of interest process. The University regularly informs students about other opportunities to become involved in decision-making at JCU in order to seek student advice and feedback. Disciplines in the Academy also regularly hold student-staff liaison group meetings.

The University recognises the following Student Councils as the representative voice for students at the Singapore and Brisbane campuses and consults with their elected representatives on matters generally pertaining to the interests of students on these campuses:

• Student Council JCU Singapore;
• Student Council JCU Brisbane.

The University consults broadly with the student body on matters that are relevant to the interests of students using the following mechanisms:

• Surveys to monitor the effectiveness of key student services
• Surveys to gain feedback about subject offerings and teaching
• General invitations for comment via the web, social media and student bulletins
• Kiosks and Workshops.

In addition to the above, and to provide a further, broad-based, student engagement mechanisms for staff-student partnerships in decision making, on the 17 October 2016, the university’s Education Committee endorsed that a JCU Student Advisory Forum be established. The Vice Chancellor has accepted this recommendation on the basis that it would provide a much more consultative and representative student-driven focus. The Student Advisory Forum Handbook contains the Terms of Reference and FAQs, while a dedicated website has been designed to ensure that effective engagement and communication channels are maintained between students and James Cook University.

At a broad level of institutional quality assurance, these various opportunities, and now the addition of a Student Advisory Forum, speak to the Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2015, particularly as regards section 5.3 Monitoring, Review and Improvement. JCU’s Statement of Strategic Intent also specifically places students at the heart of our university, which is further enlivened by inclusive and collaborative engagement with our students.