First female chair of national conference
Fri, 05 Sep 2014 09:51:00 BST
The University’s ASIS Director Judith Davison was recently announced as the new Chair of the Student Records Officers’ Conference (SROC). This national conference began in 1987 and Judith will be the first female Chair.
“After many years of involvement with the Student Records Officers’ Conference it is great to be recognised for my contribution,” said Judith Davison.
“It’s important to keep up to date with what is happening in the sector as processes and systems are constantly changing. My role as Chair also provides an opportunity to represent the University of Huddersfield. As an ambassador for the University I am able to keep abreast of the latest changes and developments and ensure that we continue to improve and develop.”
With approximately 200 attendees at this annual conference, as well as events throughout the year, this thriving community provides an opportunity to share best practice, generate new ideas and streamline the data landscape. The conference acts as a practitioners’ group and discussion forum providing feedback to the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) and the Higher Education Data and Information Improvement Programme (HEDIIP).
With 25 years’ service coming up in February 2015, Judith’s experience has been valued over the years by the University and by organisations like the SROC. Judith attended her first SROC conference in 1993 and it wasn’t long until she was invited to join the organising committee in 1998. For the past four years she has been the Treasurer until July of this year when her role as Chair was announced.
This three year term of office with the option for re-election at the end of this period involves overseeing this national conference which attracts visitors from the UK and overseas. It is the Chair’s responsibility to oversee all conference arrangements, including opening and closing the conference and speaking at the conference dinner. A different institution hosts the conference each year which also includes an exhibition showcasing everything from security and degree certificates to postcode and records software.
SROC also offers two bursaries each year to those who have attended one of the last two conferences which cover the full cost of attendance at SACRAO. Communications Team Leader Melanie Exley recently benefited from one of these bursaries.
Judith is also involved in various groups within the sector including the UCAS Data Group which looks at the processes and systems for admissions and records; the Academic Registrars Council (as Chair of SROC) and as Chair of the Tribal Data Archiving Group.
Judith recently attended the Southern Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (SACRAO) Conference in Raleigh, North Carolina, taking the opportunity to share common issues between the US and the UK. During her visit she was invited to visit the University of North Carolina.
The next Student Records Officers’ Conference takes place in York in March 2015. You can find out more here: http://www.sroc.ac.uk/
