New UiB system makes it easier to speak up
Will gather all student feedback in one infrastructure.
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Speak up is the result of a wish from the UiB Student Parliament for a single solution for student feedback – a system for everything from praise to blameworthy conditions.
The system is developed by the University of Oslo (UiO), and decided on by a group from the learning environment committee in 2015.
"UiO has a wellmade and secure system, and they were willing to share it with us. We have been working to check the system with the students to see if it works satisfactorily," says Vice-Rector of Education, Oddrun Samdal.
Green, yellow, and red
The system is introduced January 2018, and sorts feedback into three categories – green, yellow, and red – by degree of severity. The concept is one collected portal for everything, with a lower threshold than e-mail, telephone or direct contact.
"With one system, it will be easier to get the information out to the students, to get more feedback – on challenges and problems, but also positive things," says Håkon Randgaard Mikalsen, leader of the Student Parliament Executive Committee, stating that an earlier problem has been that the many systems have been spread out and lesser known.
Every faculty now has its own learning environment group with responsibility for delegating feedback. With a system like this the UiB hopes to better safeguard students, and get a better overview of where measures are needed. Natalie Johnsen, Executive for Faculties and Learning Environment in the Student Parliament, hopes the students will use the system:
"We know there are cases, however large or small, that needs to be reported. Especially important, every case and deadline will be followed up," says Johnsen.
Gathering student experiences
"It's great that the UiB has taken their time to work with the system, with good experiences from the UiO, and a good process. This being initiated now is great," says Johnsen.
"It shows a will to gather the challenges students experience. Especially considering the autumn we've just had, with cases on sexual harassment, having these systems in order is very important," says Mikalsen.
Speak up attaches great importance to the security of the ones submitting feedback. Vice-Rector Samdal praises the initiative, adding that a system like this has the support of the rectorate and the learning environment committee:
"The students and the Student Parliament have been the most important drivers behind the proposal of such a system."
Speak up
We want openness at UiB. We want you to speak out if you have uncovered issues that are worthy of criticism, and can be detrimental to UiB or individuals at the UiB.Cases that refer to censurable issues shall protect you as a student and shall ensure that your report will be dealt with.
Give feedback at uib.no/en/speakup.
