Formal Departmental meetings are held at least five times a year. Student representatives of each level, double degrees, and postgraduates, are invited to attend and to raise matters of particular concern to the students. Representatives are elected early in Semester 1. This "democratic" process is conducted by the Academic Level Representatives or their deputies. More informal gatherings, usually lunch-time barbecues, between staff and students are also held during the year. Representatives are elected at the beginning of the year. For 2003, it is planned that the reps form a social committee for the students.