In December last year we asked mature and part-time students about their experiences in St Andrews and what the Students' Representative Council could do to better represent them. We've written a summary of what you said, and what we're doing about it:

Academic Issues:

Most mature and part-time students are happy with the way things are run academically. They find that they have enough module choices, enough communication with their tutors, good class sizes and few timetable problems.  Timetables are particularly important as many work during the day, and commute in to St Andrews for evening lectures.  One student suggested that there should be tutor-student discussion on WebCT.  Distant learners said that without regular email feedback from tutors, they have no way of knowing how they are doing or communicating with the department.

• We will take these concerns to the Deans and the Vice-Principal for Learning and Teaching to ask what procedures are in place in Schools for staff to consider the requirements of distance learners in teaching and learning.
  

Library improvements:

As with many other students, half of those who took the survey said they would like to see more electronic resources and more multiple and long loans, which would save them coming in only to be able to use short loan books.  Longer opening times, particularly at weekends, for all departmental libraries as well as the main library was seen as beneficial as weekends are often the only time that they can come in to study.

• The balance of short-loan books and long-loan is always problematic for the library. We regularly discuss issues like this with the library management, and we will press for a solution that balances the needs of all students groups.
  

Events:

Publication of events was thought to be most successful by electronic resources such as email and Wednesday memos. 50% of those surveyed want to be more involved in student life, through more information about what is going on, and through entertainment directed not solely at a "younger" student body. Distance learners feel particularly isolated, and there were suggestions that university team quizzes and forums be held online for them.

• The Townsend Society was reinvigorated in September 2009 to act as society for commuting and distance-learning students. We will be trying to help the society to grow this semester.
  

Representation:

60% of mature and part-time students are concerned that they are represented by members that are neither mature nor part-time, with some expressing that they do not know enough about what the SRC does.  One student suggested a regular "round-table" meeting of part-time and mature students with SRC representatives.  Despite this, 83% of those surveyed do not want to stand for a position on  the SRC.

• A meeting this semester will arranged between SRC representatives and part-time and mature students.

• We are also working closely with the University to develop a space in town that can be dedicated space for part-time, mature, and commuting students to go between lectures, make a cup of tea, or study. We hope that this will be finalised this semester.