Creating and publishing a student charter or student partnerships agreement at institutional level cultivates a shared and transparent understanding between staff and students of what they can and should expect of each other and how to manage their relationships.
Purpose
The purpose of this practice is to articulate to students the core values of the education environment of which they are a part, the nature of their responsibilities and what they can reasonably expect from their higher education provider, teachers and support staff. It will provide clarity about why certain behaviors are crucial to participation and success in the higher education community. A Charter will also provide clear explanations of the arrangements for dialogue, representation and communication between students and their higher education institution. It will help to make students aware of the resources and support available to them and how these can be accessed. Finally, it will establish a framework for mutual accountability between students, the higher education provider and the teachers.
Outcome
The outcome of this practice is a clear definition and understanding of what students can expect from their higher education institution and what will be expected of students. It will form the basis of the relationship with students and opportunities for further enhancement and collaboration to improve the experience of students.