Are you empathetic to the differing experiences of your peers? Would you like to practice conveying your thoughts in a sensitive and understanding manner & develop strong communication skills?
If so, apply to become a Panel Volunteer by 5PM on 16 October 2024! Panel Volunteers are a vital part of college decision-making as they represent the student experience here at King’s.
In return of your time, you will receive a KCLSU endorsed certificate to recognise your volunteering contribution! Your volunteering hours will also be added to your HEAR (Higher Education Achievement Record).
To give you more insight into the role of a Panel Volunteer, we spoke with Suzanne Smith, a third-year who agreed to share her experience as a Panel Volunteer two years ago!
Could you briefly describe what a Panel Volunteer does and what that role entails?
It is really important for the student perspective and experience to be heard on panels. Panel Volunteers attend meetings of the Student Conduct & Appeals Panel and are part of the panel of three or four people who hear and decide the outcome of various types of alleged misconduct by students. The other panel members are academics from different faculties. The types of misconduct can range from allegations of various forms of cheating (eg plagiarism, collusion, contract essay-writing, contract problem-solving), to forms of behavioural misconduct. There are also committees that consider whether a student is fit to practise as a healthcare professional.
Please explain to us in a bit more detail what the role involves
Two weeks before the meeting, we are sent links to confidential documentation for the three or four cases to be heard by the panel at that session. The documentation typically contains the Academic Misconduct Referral Form in which the relevant faculty outlines the case against the student, and attaches their evidence of misconduct, and there is often a statement by the student refuting the allegations and/or outlining mitigating circumstances for the panel to take into consideration. The committee will then sit for about half a day to consider the cases.
The Panel Volunteers bring the student perspective to the discussions of the panel. This does not mean that our role is to support the case of every student (KCLSU is there for that), but more to give the perspective of the average student. Before the meeting, we need to read the documents very carefully, and consider whether anything is not clear and whether there are questions to ask the faculty or the student in the committee meeting itself. During the meeting itself, we are encouraged to ask our questions to the faculty and the student, and we then participate in the discussions after the faculty and student have left to arrive at the decision and then whether any sanction should be imposed or other action taken.
What's the best thing you've taken from being a Panel Volunteer?
It has given me an excellent insight into the workings of the college. I’ve seen how the KCLSU and tutors play important roles in supporting students through difficult times, and would urge anyone who is having problems that might make them think that cheating is a way out, to try to get support for the underlying problems. The tutor is normally the first port of call, but the college offers many other forms of support.
To become a panel volunteer, please complete this form. To read more about the role, click here.