Staff Student Liaison Committee: November.
06 February, 2024
A summary of the discussion of last semesters Student Staff Liaison Committee, and actions since taken
In November last year we hosted the first Staff Student Liason Committee of the academic year. Here is a brief overview of what was discussed and changes we’ve implemented following feedback.
| Point Raised | Response |
| Technical issues in studios and Mac Suites | As soon as you come across a possible fault in one of our facilities, please report it. This is really important – we can only fix issues that we’re aware of. This includes things like computer mice that don’t work properly. You can report faults through the technical support centre here – link: https://technicalsupport.spiritstudios.ac.uk/ Alternatively there are QR codes in all of our facilities which will take you directly to the technical support centre. |
| Faulty computer mice | We’ve purchased a single mouse and have installed it in Audient Studio 2 to test. We’ve had instances in the past where some mice will occasionally lose connection to certain Mac models. Once confirmed that this mouse is working as expected, we’ll purchase more to start replacing Apple mice with faulty scroll wheels. |
| Cheqroom – booking equipment and then it not showing up as booked when going to check-out at reception | If you encounter any issues with Cheqroom you should report these via the technical support centre. |
| Cheqroom displaying ‘Out for repair items’ | If you select the ‘Items’ option in the left-side menu you’ll see all items that Spirit Studios has, including any that are out for repair. If you select the ‘Reservations’ option in the left-side menu, click ‘New reservation’ and then ‘Add items or Kits,’ you’ll find that out for repair items are hidden. This is because the third drop-down filter defaults to hide unavailable items. There will be occasions when someone wants to view the entire catalogue of items we have, regardless of its status. i.e. a tutor explaining different microphone types in a lesson. Therefore, the Items page does this effectively. However, if someone is looking to make a reservation, the ‘Out for repair’ items are hidden by default. We recommend you start a reservation from the Reservations page, rather than right-clicking on an item from the Items page. |
| Opening hours of studios, especially during assessment periods | Whilst Spirit Studio was very busy during last semester’s assessment period, other facilities that third year students have access to were particularly quiet. This includes the Mastering Studio and the S6 Suite. We regularly review studio availability and will consider extending opening hours if there is very limited availability in all of the studios available to a cohort. Going forwards, recording lectures will be split between Spirit Studio and Mastering Studio for third year students, ensuring students feel comfortable recording in the latter facility. We’ve added a GoPro camera in the Shared Live Room and a dedicated screen in the Mastering Studio to better aid communication between these two rooms. The credit values of the Mastering Studio and S6 Suite have been significantly reduced to encourage students to use these facilities more. |
| Could a trolley be purchased to make moving sign-out equipment around the building. | We now have a lightweight trolley that can used to move sign-out equipment and instruments between reception and our facilities. |
| Layout and design of the Green Room | It was raised that the Green Room didn’t really represent Spirit as best as it could, and it could be congested at times. The chairs and tables have been rearranged so they’re in a more sociable layout, and provide more space. We’d like to gather more feedback on the Green Room, and how students would like to use the space before any larger changes are made. |
| Vending machines | Following a request, we’ve asked the vending machine company to stock some flapjacks and more healthy snack options. We can see this has been actioned by the vending company. It was also raised that the hot drinks machine would regularly dispense the wrong drink. The vending machine company investigated and found an issue with the brewing device. This has since been resolved. The vending machine company will shortly be adding QR codes to each machine, which will allow students to give feedback directly to them about any issues, as well as any suggestions for snacks etc. |
| Expanding studio user guides | A request was made to expand our studio user guides. Students can now open a ticket via our Technical Support Centre and select option ’05. Studio user guides’ to request any additions/changes to these guides. |
| Study Zone being noisy at times | We’d like to remind all students that the Study Zone is a quiet space for students to work on projects. Please be respectful to others whilst using this space. We’ve added some signs to this room, requesting that students be quiet. |
| Range of Spirit+ sessions | It was asked if more external Spirit+ visits could be organised, and also that Spirit+ included a broader range of sessions to be more representative of the different areas of music production. An external Spirit+ session was arranged for Semester 2 (80 Hertz visit), and we’ll continue to include external trips within Spirit+, based on avaliability. We are also developing a questionnaire for those who attend Spirit+ sessions to gather more specific feedback, this will be implemented in Semester 2. |
| Recording Spirit+ sessions | It isn’t always possible to record the sessions due to the content, or the way they are delivered. However we’ll look at possible ways of capturing content Spirit+ sessions for those who cannot attend. |
| Arranging networking events and Spirit Student Society | There was positive feedback given about the social events that had been run during Welcome week, and feedback that students would like more opportunities to meet students from different courses and year groups. Either during networking/skills swap session, or having social events later in the year. It was also noted that Spirit Studios currently doesn’t have a student society. The academic team are meeting with partners in UCLan and will ask about potential support for student societies, the outcome of which will be fedback. |
What is the Staff Student Liaison Committee?
Staff Student Liaison Committees (SSLCs) are where student reps from your course meet with the academic team and Programme Leaders, to give feedback that they’ve gathered from students on the course they represent. They are held once a semester and usually take place in November and March.
Their purpose is to provide an opportunity for you (through your reps) to give feedback and ideas to staff about your course, the student experience, and inform developments that will improve the future of Spirit Studios. The idea is that by consulting student reps, Spirit Studios consults you.
The Academic Team facilitate these meetings and provide a record of the meeting with any decisions, responses or actions taken as a result of discussions.
The next SSLC will be taking place in mid March, so if you have any feedback make sure you speak to your course student rep.
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