Minutes of the 244th Meeting of the University Council held on 16 July
1997.
Dr S C Miller
Mr. H. Barber
Mr. J.B.C. Blood Professor J.R. Hough
Mr. R.H. Boissier (ab) Professor D.J. Hourston (ab)
Dr. W.R. Bowman (ab) Professor M. Hutchinson
Professor L.M. Cantor Mr. M. Jackson
Professor S.J. Cox Professor R. McCaffer
Dr. J.A.W. Deboo Professor J.N. Miller
Mr. S. Dorrell (ab) Professor I.C. Morison
Dr. A.M. Duncan Mr. D'A.T.N. Payne (ab)
Mr. D. Eacott Dr. A.C. Pugh
Dr. D.W. Edwards Professor P.H. Roberts
Professor M. Evans Sir Denis Rooke
Dr. A.N. Fairbairn Professor M. Shaw (ab)
Professor J.P. Feather Mr. M. Shuker
Mr. G.P. Fothergill (ab) Mrs. C. Stephens
Sir Frank Gibb(ab) Mrs. J.A.M. Strong
Dr. M. Gilbert (ab) Mr. A. Thacker (ab)
Mr. S.J. Gorton Mr. E. Waite
Dr. J.K. Green Professor D.J. Wallace
Mr. P.W. Harrisson Professor C. Williams (ab)
Miss J.E.L. Harvatt (ab) Mr. C.S. Woodruff
Dr. T. Higgins Mrs. H.M. Woodward (ab)
By invitation: Professor J.V. Dawkins
Professor H. Thomason (ab)
Ms J. Willmott
In attendance: Mr. R.A.Bowyer
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. Boissier, Dr. Bowman, Mr.
Fothergill, Dr. Gilbert, Miss Harvatt, Professor Hourston, Mr Payne,
Professor Shaw and Professor Williams.
Ms Willmott was welcomed to the meeting as the LSU President-elect.
It was RESOLVED to confirm the Minutes of the 242nd Meeting of the Council held
on 21 March 1997 [COUN 97:M1].
Council
noted that it would be invited to consider the Special Resolution for changes
to Statute XIII at its next Ordinary meeting on 17 December 1997.
- (i)
- The Chair of Council complimented the University on the success of the
recent graduation ceremonies. The Vice-Chancellor informed Council that the
number of graduating students had increased by about 60% over the last few
years but there had been no increase in the number of administrative staff
responsible for organising the ceremonies. Council expressed particular credit
to Mrs K Alexander and other Academic Registry staff for the successful
arrangements.
- (ii)
- In a recent HEFCE Teaching Quality Assessment involving jointly the
Departments of Aeronautical and Automotive Engineering and Transport Studies
and Manufacturing Engineering a score of 23/24 had been achieved.
The Departments and all those involved in the Assessment were to be
congratulated.
- (iii)
- A recent competition had been held by the EPSRC to establish Faraday
Centres involving institutions in collaboration with small and medium
enterprises. The University was to be involved in two of the four Centres
awarded, one as the lead institution with the other headed by the National
Physical Laboratory. An official announcement was awaited and until then the
information remained confidential to members of Council.
- (iv)
- For the second year running the University's Careers Service had been
identified in the annual PIP survey of employers as the most efficient,
effective and co-operative Careers Service, and was to be congratulated on this
achievement.
- (v)
- Progress had been made in allocating £4M of Development Funds for academic
developments. About £2M of the £2.5M research fund had been allocated to top
priority bids from Faculties, and about £860K of the £1M teaching fund had been
allocated to projects in Computer Aided Assessment and Computer Aided Learning
involving all Faculties, with some set aside for developments at Peterborough.
The scheme to allocate £0.5M for premature retirements had been initiated and
respondents were coming forward.
- (vi)
- The Dearing Report would be released on 23 July 1997. The Vice-Chancellor
would be attending the CVCP meeting organised for the launch day and a seminar
on the subsequent day to discuss the Report. The NUS Annual Conference would
be held at the University from 21-24 July which would be timely.
- (vii)
- It was anticipated that an announcement on the British Academy of Sport
would be forthcoming within the next month. The Consortium bid involving the
University was considered to be in a strong position.
- (viii)
- There had been a successful launch to the Alumni Appeal from a platform of
leadership donations of the order of £100K. The Vice-Chancellor expressed his
gratitude to the former Guild for its significant donation.
- (ix)
- The Vice-Chancellor congratulated the Students' Union on the achievement of
the Investors in People award, one of the first Students' Unions to achieve
this. The Students' Union was also to be congratulated on reaching a total to
date of £219K for Rag, not matched by any other institution, and also winning
both the male and female UK Student Sporting Championships, achieving
approximately the same number of points as the next two universities
combined.
- .1
- Council received a Memorandum of Agreement to merge Loughborough College of
Art and Design with Loughborough University which had been approved unanimously
by the Governors of LCAD at their meeting on 25 June 1997. Council was
informed that considerable work had been undertaken by the Joint Steering
Committee and the Merger Working and Liaison Groups in producing the Memorandum
of Agreement and in particular the part-time Project Manager was to be
congratulated on his contribution.
- .2
- Council was informed that whilst critical issues had arisen in the
deliberations of the Human Resources Group, in particular involving the
assimilation of administrative roles within the University, no problems
remained and the Governors and staff of LCAD viewed the merger with much
enthusiasm. The proposal was for a merger of the two institutions on 1 August
1998, with LCAD becoming Loughborough University School of Art and Design
within the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities. Full assimilation would
be achieved by 1 August 2001. There would be significant transitional costs
incurred by the merger, for which a bid for funding had been made to HEFCE.
Informal feedback indicated that such support would be forthcoming.
- .3
- Dr Fairbairn, the Chair of LCAD's Governing Body, informed Council of his
and other members of the Governing Body's support for the merger. LCAD was at
the forefront of Art and Design education but there had been concerns whether,
with the financial uncertainties in Further and Higher Education, as a single
subject institution it could continue independently in the long run. This was
borne out by the projected Business plans for LCAD/LUSAD. Merger with the
University would provide a wider range of opportunities for research excellence
and income generation. In addition the merger discussions had provided the
incentive to rationalise the ownership of buildings between LCAD and
Loughborough College. Merger with LCAD would help to redress the gender
imbalance of the University.
- .4
- Members welcomed the proposed continuing of Further Education by LUSAD and
noted that a review of Further Education would take place in Autumn 1997,
post-Dearing. The University was urged to be sensitive to the special culture
of Art and Design Schools and the need to ensure that LCAD's culture was not
damaged. The merger should enrich both LCAD and the University. It was
understood that cultural assimilation would take time. The University was
already working closely with LCAD however, and such projects as the Gallery of
the Future demonstrated an already successful involvement. Council was
reminded that Loughborough Students' Union already incorporated LCAD and no
difficulties were expected in terms of merging student cultures.
- .5
- In terms of the financial position, the financial review from Deloitte and
Touche reported to Council on 16 December 1996 had shown the financial health
of Loughborough University and LCAD to be broadly comparable. Both would be
faced with the same financial pressures, but as part of the University LCAD's
opportunities to overcome such pressures would be greater.
- .6
- It was RESOLVED unanimously to approve a Memorandum of Agreement to merge
Loughborough College of Art and Design with Loughborough University with effect
from 1 August 1998. Council expressed thanks to the University's negotiating
team for its achievements.
- (i)
- Council received the draft Strategic Plan for 1997/98 to 2000/01, which had
been produced following feedback on an initial contextual statement from
Faculties and Departments and consideration of a subsequent draft plan by
Deans, lay Council Chairs, Resources and Planning Committee and Senate.
Council was reminded that such a major update of the Strategic Plan was
undertaken biennially. The Vice-Chancellor reported that attempts had been made
in the draft Plan to encompass the major issues likely to emerge from the
Dearing Review. The Plan did not represent a major change in direction, but
did recognise the urgency of the need for change and specific targets had been
identified. The University's well-being would be dependent on increasing its
portfolio of additional income.
- (ii)
- Clarification was requested on the intention to ensure that students were
not subject to formal assessments in excess of national norms (para. 3.4).
Council was informed that the University's formal assessment of students
appeared to be more extensive than at many other institutions and the aim was
to achieve an appropriate level of assessment for students whilst not
overburdening staff beyond what was necessary.
- (iii)
- A member informed Council that he felt the Strategic Plan to be a somewhat
inward-looking document, more operational and tactical than strategic, and not
fully addressing the following definitions of a successful organisation:
Unambiguous long-term goals; thoughtful insight of the competitive environment;
intimate self-knowledge of internal capabilities; implementation through the
commitment of the whole organisation. The Vice-Chancellor reminded Council
that the University was different in a number of respects from a commercial
company, its internal capabilities were spread across Faculties, and it was
therefore difficult to produce a simplistic vision statement. It was noted
that the Mission Statement clearly defined the University's commitment to work
for the benefit of society and with the community, and suggested that this
outward view might be made more explicit with specific targets.
- (iv)
- The Chair informed Council that he had considered the Strategic Plan to be
significantly advanced on previous Plans, fulfilling many of the points raised
above for a successful organisation. It was AGREED that the Vice-Chancellor
would make minor revisions to the Overview of the Plan to accommodate the above
points, and that these points would be fully taken on board when the next
Strategic Plan was produced.
- (v)
- On the recommendation of Senate and the Resources and Planning Committee,
it was RESOLVED to approve the Strategic Plan for 1997/98 to 2000/01, subject
to the above revision, for onward transmission to HEFCE.
.2
Operational Plan 1997-98
-
- It was RESOLVED to approve the University's Operational Plan for 1997-98,
which represented the first stage of implementation of the four-year Strategic
Plan. It was noted that this would be backed by individual Faculty Operational
Plans.
-
- Council considered the HEFCE Financial Forecasts to 2000/01, and was
informed that this was a document intended to signal to HEFCE the deteriorating
financial position in Higher Education. It did not reflect the corrective
action which the University was undertaking. It was noted that the figures
were exclusive of LCAD at the specific request of HEFCE. It was RESOLVED to
approve the HEFCE Financial Forecasts to 2000/01 for onwards transmission to
HEFCE.
- .1
Council received a progress report on the capital programme. In
response to a query concerning the projected exceeding of HEFCE's 4% threshold
for Annualised Servicing Costs, Council was informed that the 4% limit
represented a threshold above which HEFCE approval was required and would be
sought.
- (i)
- Council noted decisions made by the Resources and Planning Committee in
respect of the Engineering Building, and received a tabled paper presenting the
latest position. It was reported that the negotiations for leasing space in
the main building of the British Gas Research and Technology Centre had in the
event proved unsuccessful. A straightforward add-on of the shortfall of 1500
m2 to the proposals for building modifications on the campus was not
feasible, as the proposed departmental movements under the British Gas scheme
would be inappropriate for an on-site scheme. It was therefore necessary to
explore other options, but a final decision by Council at its December 1997
meeting was essential if the completion date of mid-1999 was to be achieved.
- (ii)
- It was RESOLVED that the Chair of Council and the Vice-Chancellor as Chair
of Resources and Planning Committee be given the joint authority to approve
expenditure necessary to take the project forward so that Council could make a
final decision at its December meeting.
It was RESOLVED to approve a report of the Nominating Committee. It was noted
that the Nominating Committee would bring forward a recommendation to Council
at a later meeting concerning the outstanding co-opted vacancy.
On the recommendation of Senate, it was RESOLVED to approve a recommendation of
the Faculty of Engineering for the establishment of a School of Mechanical and
Manufacturing Engineering.
On the recommendation of Senate, it was RESOLVED to approve proposals from
Staff Review Committee regarding promotions to Senior Lectureships.
It was RESOLVED to approve recommendations relating to finance-related
Committees. It was noted that para. 8(iii) of the proposals should relate to
the Academic and Related Staff Negotiating Sub-Committee, the Clerical and
Manual Staff Consultative Committee and the Technical Staff Negotiating
Sub-Committee.
It was RESOLVED to approve the following recommendations referred by the Audit
Committee at its 25th meeting on 17 June 1997:
(a) Appointment of Internal Auditors
(b) Anti Fraud and Corruption Policy
It was RESOLVED to approve the following recommendation referred by the Finance
Committee at its 97th meeting on 19 June 1997:
Travelling and Subsistence Allowances
It was RESOLVED to approve the following recommendation referred by the
Residential and Catering Services Committee at its Twelfth meeting on 3 June
1997:
Hall Deposits for First-year Students
- .1
- It was RESOLVED to approve the following recommendations referred by the
Resources and Planning Committee at its 99th meeting on 6 June 1997:
(a)
Overseas Tuition Fees 1998/99
(b) Student Indebtedness
- .2
- It was RESOLVED to ratify Chair's action in approving, on behalf of
Council:
(a) Tuition Fees
(b) Re-examination Fees
It was RESOLVED to approve the following recommendations referred by Senate at
its 314th meeting on 27 June 1997:
(a) IGDS MSc in Surface Design and Engineering, new programme from 1997/98
(b) MSc in Management (self-financing), new programme from 1997/98
(c) Msc in Waste and Environmental Risk Management (self-financing), new
programme from 1997/98 (revision and retitling of Hazardous Waste Management)
(d) BSc/MChem in Chemistry with Environmental Science, new programme from
1998/99
(e) BSc/MChem in Chemistry with a European Language, new programme from
1998/99
(f) BSc/MChem in Chemistry with Information Studies, new programme from
1998/99
(g) BSc/MChem in Chemistry with Forensic Analysis, new programme from 1998/99
(h) BSc in Quantitative Economics, discontinuation from September 1997 entry
(i) MSc in Construction Management (part-time in conjunction with the
University of Wolverhampton), discontinuation from September 1997
(j) Certificate and Diploma Programmes in Co-operative Studies (validated
programmes), discontinuation from September 1997 entry
(k) MBA in Business Development (validated programme), discontinuation from
September 1997 entry
(l) Students' Union Constitution: Amendments
(m) Jonathan Young Memorial Prize: Establishment
(n) Alan Booth Memorial Prize: Establishment
Council received the Annual Report of the Equal Opportunities Committee for
1996/97 and RESOLVED to approve the following recommendations referred by the
Committee:
(a) Revised Equal Opportunities Action Plan
(b) Policy and Guidelines for Dealing with Computer Pornography
- .1
- Council noted the membership of Council for 1997-98 as thus far determined.
- .2
- It was RESOLVED to appoint the Chairs of certain Committees for 1997-98.
- .3
- It was RESOLVED to authorise the Chair to take action on behalf of Council
to make appointments to vacancies on Council Committees, Joint Committees with
Senate and other bodies to which Council appoints.
It was RESOLVED to approve the future membership, terms of reference and quorum
for the Nominating Committee.
It was RESOLVED to approve a quorum for the Senior Staff Salaries Committee.
It was RESOLVED to ratify the action of the Registrar in affixing the
University Seal to the documents listed.
Council received a progress report.
Council noted a summary of action taken on the Operational Plan for 1996-97.
Council received the Annual Report of the Careers Service Advisory Board for
1995-96.
Council received the Annual Report of Loughborough Students' Union for 1996.
Council received the report of the Timothy John Godfrey Memorial Fund Advisory
Committee for 1995-96.
Council noted that Godkin & Co. had resigned as the University's auditors
with effect from 1 April 1997 following the appointment of Deloitte Touche.
Council received reports of the following committees:
(i) Audit Committee of 17 June 1997
[A copy of the Annual Internal Audit Report 1996/97 was available from the
Secretary on request.]
(ii) Finance Committee of 19 June 1997
(iii) Health, Safety and Environmental Committee of 11 June 1997
(iv) Residential and Catering Services Committee of 3 June 1997
[Further to Minute 97/13 of Council's 242nd meeting on 21 March 1997, a
table of Comparative Hall Fees was appended.]
(v) Information Services Committee of 30 May 1997
(vi) Research Committee of 19 March 1997 and 16 May 1997
(vii) Resources and Planning Committee of 6 June 1997
(viii) Student Services Committee of 17 June 1997
(ix) Senate of 27 June 1997
In regard to the summary budget for 1997/98 contained within the Resources and
Planning Committee report, it was reported in response to a query that the
subsidy to the Hall account would be phased out by the end of the planning
review period, in line with the HEFCE requirement. This would be achieved by
reducing working costs and increasing alternative income, but only as a last
resort by increasing Hall Fees to students beyond normal inflation levels.
Council noted the dates proposed for meetings of Council in 1997-98 as follows:
- * Friday 24 October 1997 at 10.45 am
- Wednesday 17 December 1997 at 10.45 am
- * Wednesday 11 February 1998 at 2.15 pm
- Wednesday 25 March 1998 at 10.45 am
- Wednesday 15 July 1998 at 10.45 am
The starred meeting would take place only if notice was given by a date two
weeks prior to the date scheduled for the meeting.
- .1
- The Chair thanked retiring member for their services to Council over the
years and informed Council that the University would be fortunate in retaining
the involvement of Dr Deboo and Mr Woodruff in other University activities. He
thanked the student representatives for their participation, which provided a
good model for the incoming representatives.
- .2
- On behalf of Council, the Chair expressed his gratitude and good wishes for
the future to Professor Miller, whose term of office as Senior
Pro-Vice-Chancellor was ending, for his outstanding services over an extended
period, and to Mr McHard, the Academic Secretary, who was moving to the
University of Kent at Canterbury as Secretary and Registrar.
- * Friday 24 October 1997 at 10.45 am
The meeting was intended for the
discussion of strategic issues and routine business would not be transacted.
Next Ordinary Meeting:
- * Wednesday 17 December 1997 at 10.45 am
*
Author - Dr J E M Elliott
Date - July 1997
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