Minutes of the 242nd Meeting of the University Council held on Friday 21
March 1997.
Dr S C Miller
Mr. H. Barber
Mr. J.B.C. Blood (ab) Professor J.R. Hough (ab)
Mr. R.H. Boissier Professor D.J. Hourston
Dr. W.R. Bowman Professor M. Hutchinson (ab)
Professor L.M. Cantor Mr. M. Jackson
Professor S.J. Cox (ab) Professor R. McCaffer
Dr. J.A.W. Deboo Professor J.N. Miller
Mr. S. Dorrell (ab) Professor I.C. Morison
Dr. A.M. Duncan (ab) Mr. D'A.T.N. Payne
Mr. D. Eacott Dr. A.C. Pugh (ab)
Dr. D.W. Edwards Professor P.H. Roberts
Professor M. Evans (ab) Sir Denis Rooke
Dr. A.N. Fairbairn Professor M. Shaw
Professor J.P. Feather Mr. M. Shuker
Mr. K. Foreman Mr. N. Slater (ab)
Mr. G.P. Fothergill (ab) Mrs. C. Stephens
Sir Frank Gibb(ab) Mrs. J.A.M. Strong (ab)
Dr. M. Gilbert Mr. A. Thacker (ab)
Mr. S.J. Gorton Mr. E. Waite (ab)
Dr. J.K. Green Professor D.J. Wallace
Mr. P.W. Harrisson (ab) Professor C. Williams
Miss J.E.L. Harvatt (ab) Mr. C.S. Woodruff (ab)
Dr. T. Higgins Mrs. H.M. Woodward
By invitation: Professor J.V. Dawkins (ab)
Professor H. Thomason
In attendance: Dr J E M Elliott
Dr. D.E. Fletcher
Ms. E.A. Howarth
Mr. N.A. McHard
Mr. H.M. Pearson
Apologies for absence were received from Mr. Blood, Professor Cox, Professor
Dawkins, Professor Evans, Mr Fothergill, Mr Harrisson, Miss Harvatt, Professor
Hough, Professor Hutchinson, Dr Pugh, Mrs Strong and Mr Woodruff.
Dr Higgins was welcomed to his first meeting as University Treasurer.
It was RESOLVED to confirm the Minutes of the 240th Meeting of the Council held
on 16 December 1996.
- (i)
- The Vice-Chancellor reported with great regret the death in a helicopter
accident of Tan Sri Yahaya Ahmad, Chairman of Proton, Malaysia, and a former
student, who was to have received an honorary degree from the University at a
ceremony in Malaysia in August.
- (ii)
- British Aerospace had announced its intention to establish a `virtual'
university through various courses and other activities. Loughborough would
expect to be heavily involved in the `virtual' university through its Systems
Engineering degree for example and also through Professor Thomason's presence
on the Board.
- (iii)
- A 25-year lease had been agreed in principle with the British Gas Research
and Technology Centre for the University's use of space in the Energy
Management Centre on the British Gas site. This would house two subsidiary
companies of the University and some research activities. A Memorandum of
Understanding was also being developed for the lease of 2100 m2 in
the main part of the Centre. This development would help to achieve in large
part the transfer of the Departments of Aeronautical and Automotive Engineering
and Transport Studies and of Manufacturing Engineering to the West Site at less
cost than estimated in current proposals. Council would receive a fuller
report at its next meeting. The Vice-Chancellor thanked members of Council who
had assisted in the success of this venture.
- (iv)
- The University's consortium bid for the British Academy of Sport had now
reached a short list of three. A final decision was now unlikely to be
announced before the dissolution of Parliament and could probably be expected
in June.
- (v)
- The Loughborough Students' team had narrowly lost the recent rugby final,
but Loughborough Students continued to excel in the sporting arena, having won
15 finals in 40 competitions each involving more than 100 Higher Education
Institutions. The Athletic Union was to be congratulated. The Students' Union
was also on target to match last year's record total for Rag, which was an
excellent achievement. The Students' Union's commendable involvement in
Community Action was set to increase with the appointment of an additional
Sabbatical Officer to develop the Community Action programme.
- (vi)
- More than £38K had so far been pledged to the Loughborough University
Development Trust at the leadership stage. The Vice-Chancellor thanked those
members who had responded to the appeal and hoped others would be encouraged to
contribute.
- .1
- The Vice-Chancellor reported that the outcome of the 1996 Research
Assessment Exercise had been very encouraging for the University. Those Grades
4 and 5 that had been achieved would be important beyond the HEFCE income that
they would bring, as some external bodies were known to be adopting these as
threshold criteria to filter research bids. The financial consequences for the
University of the Research Assessment Exercise had, however, been
disappointing. As a result the HEFCE recurrent grant for 1997/98, though
marginally improved over the previous year, was poorer than expected. The
pressure on operational efficiency and the importance of achieving external
funding was therefore ever increasing. The University would continue the
challenge to find the right balance in seeking excellence through the Research
Assessment Exercise and seeking external support through research relevant to
industry/commerce.
- .2
- The Research Assessment Exercise position had generally improved in the
`old' universities, but due to the University's selectivity in returning staff
this had affected the volume factor in terms of funding. The University had
been safety netted at £0.25M; some other institutions would have more
substantial cuts to endure.
- .3
- The Vice-Chancellor reported the intention to invest £4M of Development
Funds over the next three years to facilitate change to place the University in
a better position for the future. £2.5M would be used for research activities,
£1M for teaching initiatives to help deal with rising student:staff ratios and
£0.5M would be used for early retirements. The Faculties would be involved in
prioritising the use of these sums.
- .4
- A member informed Council that with rising student:staff ratios staff were
now reaching the limit of their productivity in terms of teaching and of
research output. The Vice-Chancellor stressed the importance therefore of
adopting new practices, with change now being the only way forward to success.
- .5
- The Chair expressed Council's pleasure at the outcome of the recent
Research Assessment Exercise, and recognition of the importance of the next
Exercise. It was also recognised as important that the University invest in
the process of change in order to meet the serious challenges of the
future.
- .1
- Council received a progress report on the capital programme. Council was
informed that the proposed swimming pool and gymnastics centre were wholly
dependent on the receipt of Lottery funding. Should the bid for the British
Academy of Sport be successful this would include a 50m pool at the Garendon
site. The University might then look at the possibility of developing a
smaller pool on campus.
- .2
- A member relayed the concern of some staff who were unclear about how the
plans for the Engineering building were developing. It was reported that the
Engineering Faculty received regular reports at Directorate and Faculty Board
meetings of what was a complicated situation. It was noted that though the
lease of space from British Gas (see Minute 97/2 (iii)) would bring annualised
debt service costs down, there would be no less pressure on the general budget.
- .3
- Concern was expressed that the proposed improvements to student
accommodation could impact on the Hall Fees charged to students. Council was
informed that whilst the Hall Accounts were required to be self-financing and
the cost of improvements would need to be met, some of the extra revenue could
be achieved through increased conference business.
- .4
- It was questioned whether the University's ambitious building plan should
be tempered with a view to improving the staffing position. The need was
emphasised, however, for the University to protect income flows by offering
students and research clients the best facilities, thereby ensuring the future
protection of jobs.
- .5
- Council would receive an update on the Capital Programme at its next
meeting.
On the recommendation of the Audit Committee, it was RESOLVED to appoint
Deloitte and Touche as the University's External Auditors from 1 April 1997.
Council received a report on the current position and noted that discussions
continued to be harmonious and on schedule for proposals to come forward to
Council's next meeting.
Council received a progress report. Discussions were still at the feasibility
stage and the University would need to be assured of its financial interests
before any commitment was made. At a recent meeting with the HEFCE Chief
Executive he was expecting that the University would be able to bid for funded
student numbers for 1998/99. It was hoped that Council could receive a more
detailed report at its next meeting.
Further to Minute 96/79 of the 240th meeting on 16 December 1996:
- (i)
- Council noted that Professor M Evans was the elected staff member
representative on the Nominating Committee.
- (ii)
- Council considered a report from the Nominating Committee and RESOLVED to
endorse the recommendations of that Committee on the further steps to be taken
forthwith to solicit nominations for co-option to Council.
- .1
- Further to Minute 96/45 of Council's 238th meeting on 17 July 1996 and
Minute 96/79 of Council's 240th meeting on 16 December 1996, Council
considered a paper from the Registrar. The response was relayed to Council of
an absent member who was opposed to a limit being placed on the number of
former staff elected from Court to Council. It was pointed out to Council that
former members of staff could have achieved membership of Council through other
bodies, and the proposals limited one route only. It could be possible that
former staff might look to those other bodies if seeking membership of Council,
should their route through Court effectively be blocked.
- .2
- It was suggested as inappropriate to influence appointments made to Council
by other bodies, which it could be assumed were representing their community in
their choice. It may therefore be adequate for members of Court to be better
informed of Council's concerns and of the candidates for election to Council,
to enable Court to make well-informed electoral decisions.
- .3
- It was put forward that in democratic terms there should be no inhibitions
placed on the electoral activities of Court unless these were essential, and no
such compelling reasons were evident. The issue of Corporate Governance was
raised in reply, and the important principle of being seen to ensure an
adequate balance of lay members on the governing body. The greater the
diversity of experience of Council members the better. Council was informed
that in terms of Corporate Governance an individual formerly associated with a
company would not be deemed to be independent from that company for a period of
five years.
- .4
- It was proposed and seconded that the recommendations in paper COUN97-P7 be
forwarded to Senate and the General Assembly for comment before Council
considered a special resolution for changes to Statute XIII. The resulting
vote was 24 For : 3 Against (not including the absent member not in favour of
the proposal), and it was AGREED that the consultation procedure be set in
motion.
- .5
- It was also AGREED that members of Court should be apprised of the
responsibilities and activities of Council, to ensure that Court members were
better informed and to maximise their contribution to the University's
activities. Thought should also be given to the form of Court meetings.
Consequent upon the appointment by Court of Dr T Higgins as University
Treasurer, it was RESOLVED to appoint:
- (i)
- Dr Higgins as Chair of Finance Committee (vice Dr A S Durward).
- (ii)
- Mr P Harrisson as Chair of Audit Committee (vice Dr Higgins).
- (iii)
- Dr Higgins as a member of Resources and Planning Committee (vice Dr
A S Durward)
It was RESOLVED to approve the following recommendation referred by the Audit
Committee at its 24th meeting on 27 February 1997:
Constitution of the Committee
It was RESOLVED to approve the following recommendations referred by the
Health, Safety and Environmental Committee at its 66th meeting on 26 February
1997:
(b) Environmental Policy
It was RESOLVED to approve the following recommendation referred by the
Residential and Catering Services Committee at its 11th meeting on 11 March
1997:
Council's attention was drawn to the stated expected
increase in salaries and wages expenditure. Also, the University would in
future be responsible for some items of Hall equipment hitherto the
responsibility of Hall Committees, which might result in lesser Hall Committee
fees for students. It was felt important to highlight that students' living
costs could no longer be covered by the basic maintenance grant. Council would
be presented with information on Hall Fees in comparison with those of other
institutions and in relation to the student maintenance grant at its next
meeting.
It was RESOLVED to approve the following recommendations referred by the
Resources and Planning Committee at its 98th meeting on 14 February 1997:
(a) Tuition Fees
(b) Establishment Matters
It was RESOLVED to approve the following recommendations referred by Senate at
its 312th meeting on 5 March 1997:
(a) MSc in Automotive Systems Engineering (self-financing), new programme from
1996/97
(b) MSc in Advanced Automotive Engineering, discontinuation from 1996/97
(c) MSc in Engineering Management (self-financing), new programme from
1997/98
(d) BSc in Mathematics and Management, new programme from 1997/98
(e) LPC in Back Care Management (self-financing), new programme from 1997/98
(f) MSc in Financial Economics, new programme from 1997/98
(g) MSc in International Economics and Finance, new programme from 1997/98
(h) MSc in Monetary Economics, new programme from 1997/98
(i) MSc in Economics and Finance, new programme from 1997/98
(j) MSc in European Economics and Finance, discontinuation from September 1997
entry
(k) MSc in Economics, discontinuation from September 1997 entry
(l) BEng/MEng in Mechanical and Materials Engineering, discontinuation from
1997 entry
(m) BEng/MEng in Mechanical and Optical Engineering, discontinuation from 1997
entry
(n) MA in Modern French Studies, discontinuation from September 1997 entry
(o) MA in Post-War German Studies, discontinuation from September 1997 entry
(p) BSc in Mathematics and Education, change of title to Mathematics with
Education from September 1997 entry
(q) Amendments to Ordinances necessitated by the introduction of Faculty
Boards
It was RESOLVED to ratify the action of the Registrar in affixing the
University Seal to the documents listed.
Council noted that the date of the Winter 1997 degree congregation was Tuesday
16 December 1997.
Council received reports of the following committees:
(i) Audit Committee of 27 February 1997
(ii) Finance Committee of 6 March 1997
(iii) Health, Safety and Environmental Committee of 26 February 1997
(iv) Residential and Catering Services Committee of 11 March 1997
(v) Information Services Committee of 28 February 1997
(vi) Research Committee of 8 January 1997 and 6 February 1997
(vii) Resources and Planning Committee of 14 February 1997
(viii) Student Services Committee of 5 March 1997
(ix) Senate of 5 March 1997
Council wished to record its appreciation to the Estates Organisation for the
attractive and colourful state of the campus.
Wednesday 16 July 1997 at 10.45 am
Author - Dr J E M Elliott
Date - March 1997
Copyright (c) Loughborough University. All rights reserved.