Department Education Committee (DEC): Student Rep Guide 

What is DEC?

The Department Education Committee (DEC) is the key formal meeting where departmental staff and student reps come together to review and shape the overall academic experience. It serves as the main decision-making body for teaching, learning, and assessment at the department level.

How Reps Engage with DEC

As a Course or Department Rep, attending DEC is one of your most important responsibilities. Your engagement follows a simple three-step cycle:

1. Before the Meeting (Preparation): Gather feedback from your cohort to build a clear, evidence-based agenda of what's working well and what needs attention.

2. During the Meeting (Contribution): Attend the meeting and present constructive feedback directly to staff and committee members.

3. After the Meeting (Reporting Back): Share committee outcomes, decisions, and action points back with the student body so they see the impact of their feedback.

Your Key Responsibilities as a DEC Rep

• Gather Student Feedback: Collect student views across your modules and cohort ahead of each DEC meeting so you bring a representative picture, not just personal opinions.

• Present Constructive Evidence: Share real student experiences and constructive suggestions directly with academic staff and department heads.

• Report Outcomes Back: Close the loop by informing students of decisions, fixes, and ongoing discussions coming out of DEC.

Proactive Contribution: Bringing Your Voice to the Table

DEC provides a direct platform for shaping teaching and learning in your department—but real representation requires actively bringing student voices into the room, rather than simply turning up to listen.

To make the most of your DEC meetings:

• Don't just observe: Raise agenda items, ask questions, and offer student-led solutions to departmental issues.

• Focus on trends: Highlight widespread patterns across modules or cohorts to help staff prioritize high-impact changes.

• Celebrate wins: Share positive feedback on modules or staff practices that are working well so departments know what to keep doing.