224th MEETING OF THE UNIVERSITY COUNCIL
224th MEETING OF THE UNIVERSITY COUNCIL
13 July 1994
It was RESOLVED to confirm the Minutes of the 222nd Meeting of the Council held on 30 March 1994.
Minute 94/12.4 - Student Services Committee
Council noted that Academic Quality Committee would be reviewing the presentation of student wastage data in the Autumn Term. Information on student wastage would subsequently be made available to Council.
The Vice-Chancellor reported that:
.1 Agreement had been reached on this year's pay award for academic and related staff which would be a 2.5% salary increase together with a non-pensionable lump sum equivalent to 0.35% of annual salary. The lowest point had been deleted from salary scales, which meant that over the last few years the three lowest points had been removed and this could be regarded as recognition of the erosion of academic salaries.
.2 Guidelines and procedures had been received for the next Research Assessment Exercise. There was a widespread view of improvement in the procedures, but the Vice-Chancellor had particular reservations about the intention to increase the grading from five to seven points and the feasibility of making such finer distinctions. He had requested the HEFCE Chief Executive to carry out dummy runs with data from the last Research Assessment Exercise, and this he had agreed to do . The University continued to work to strengthen its research activities.
.3 A consultation paper on the Assessment of the Quality of Education had been received from the HEFCE following the Barnett Report. The Report had made significant recommendations about the current assessment procedure, most of which had been accepted. Consultation was underway on the two major points of whether all departments being assessed should be visited and how the current three-point judgment scale could be improved. The Vice-Chancellor was supportive of the CVCP's developing approach towards graded profiles under particular headings, with an overall summative judgement of satisfactory or unsatisfactory. In addition to quality assessment, institutions were also subject to audit of their quality procedures. The audit and assessment procedures operated in parallel and with some overlap, which was not altogether satisfactory. The Chair reported that his recent contact with the Secretary of State for Education indicated a developing view that audit and assessment should be the responsibility of one body.
.4 The University had strong links with the new Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council through Sir David Davies, the University's former Vice-Chancellor, Dr Miller, Pro-Chancellor, and himself. The Research Council had adopted a new procedure for grant applications, through which the University should be able to benefit. Now smaller in size, the Research Council operated more as a Board of Directors to which the Executive was answerable, and appeared to be working well.
.5 The plethora of different letterheads emerging from departments had led to a revisiting of the University's corporate identify through a group chaired by the Senior Pro-Vice-Chancellor. The Vice-Chancellor was clear that the University's full title of Loughborough University must be retained, though some concession might be made in some subject areas, for example for student recruitment purposes.
.6 Fund-raising for the British Association for the Advancement of Science Conference in September had proved successful as the result of efforts by the External Relations Office and the support of Council Members. The event was costly to run, but would have enormous spin-offs for the University. There remained a £70K shortfall for the event, and members' advice on approaches that could be made would be welcome. Associated with the conference was a special Degree Ceremony when Sir Denis Rooke and, subject to Council approval, Dame Anne McLaren would be receiving Honorary Degrees. The ceremony would take place on 5 September at 7 for 7.30pm, and Council members were welcome to attend.
.7 Loughborough students' excellent sporting achievements continued, with the male and female teams becoming overall Universities' Athletic Union champions for the 14th and 16th consecutive years respectively. A congratulatory note would be sent to the President of the Athletic Union. The Vice-Chancellor commented to Council on the opportunities for closer sporting links with local schools.
.1 Council considered a recommendation of the Guild of Loughborough University of Technology to support the formation of the Alumni Association and to dissolve the Guild of Loughborough University. Members were informed that the proposals were intended to develop a more pro-active approach from Members of the University, as defined in Statute II, together with graduates and diplomates of the University's predecessors and retired members of the academic and related staff of these institutions. There were financial implications for the University, which was committed to sustaining the Alumni Office under the umbrella of the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (External Relations). The University was, however, making an investment for the future in terms of the future support that it would wish to receive from members of the Association. Fund raising activities would take time to develop, but mechanisms were already being proposed by the Association for their development.
.2 The Registrar put forward comments from a member unable to attend the meeting that the term Alumni was purely for former pupils and not for members of staff. Council was informed that there were varying definitions of Alumni and the proposals referred to the broader definition.
.3 Subject to the amendment of The Alumni Advisory Board's title to The Alumni Board, it was RESOLVED to approve the formation of the Alumni Association and, on the recommendation of the Guild, the dissolution of the Guild of Loughborough University.
Council received a progress report from the Capital Development Steering Group. The Bursar informed Council that there were 16 major capital projects under consideration which could involve the University in expenditure of £20M over the next 7-10 years. Projects were such that they could be phased in accordance with the University's ability to finance them, though the Bursar was optimistic of completion within 10 years. This would be dependent on external funding in some cases. The National Lottery was being considered as one approach to external funding for a new gymnastics research centre. The Bursar informed members that HEFCE support for the capital projects would be most unlikely, and in any event would only reach a maximum of 25% of costs. Nevertheless a member suggested that an approach to the National Lottery would be paradoxical, in that National Lottery monies were being encouraged towards major projects that would not otherwise be possible; the University's relatively strong financial position might reduce the likelihood of a successful bid. It was also suggested that the restriction on Lottery support might become more flexible in time and it was therefore important to keep abreast of developments. The Vice-Chancellor emphasised the importance of local support for any future Lottery bid and the need to liaise with Charnwood Borough Council in this regard.
.1 Council received a Report of the Sixteenth meeting of the Audit Committee held on 16 June 1994.
.2 Council noted action taken by the Committee in the following matters:
(a) Appointment of Internal Auditors
(b) Computer Disaster Recovery Plan; Micro-computer Usage in Administration
(c) The Proper Conduct of Business
(d) Universities' Finance Directors' Group: Audit Questionnaire 1993/94
(e) Internal Audit
(f) Value for Money Arrangements
(g) Audit Committee Annual Report
(h) Management of Departmental Finances
.1 Council received a Report of the 88th meeting of the Finance Committee held on 9 June 1994.
.2 It was RESOLVED to approve recommendations referred by the Committee at that meeting as follows:
(a) Treasury Management Guidelines
(b) Review of Honoraria
(c) Travelling and Subsistence Allowances
(d) Conditions of Service - Clerical, Manual and Technical Staff
.3 Council noted action taken by the Committee in the following other matters:
(a) Residential Organisation: Student Admissions
(b) Revised Budget for 1993-94
(c) Budget for 1994-95
(d) Treasury Sub-Committee
(e) Academic and Commercial Enterprises Monitoring Sub-Committee
(f) Loughborough Students' Union
(g) Money Transfer Service
(h) Hall Fee Collection Scheme
.4 In regard to student admissions, the Vice-Chancellor informed Council of the difficulties facing all universities with their 1994 undergraduate admissions. The need to meet the HEFCE's Maximum Aggregate Student Numbers, with penalties where this number is not met or is exceeded, coupled with the unpredictability of the new UCAS system, was making the admissions procedure particularly difficult. There had been some concern that the University's admissions figures were down. The Senior Management Group was receiving weekly reports on the situation, which had shown some improvement, and had established a mathematical modelling group to advise on the expected impact of the changed admission system.
.5 In regard to the budget, the Bursar reported that a severe squeeze would be felt over the next three to four years as the result of inflation and the further efficiency gains to be sought by the HEFCE, and that these had been built into the budget. In the event of an additional efficiency gain of 1% being sought over that period, an additional saving of £21/2 M would be need to be sought. The Vice-Chancellor felt that this additional saving would prove damaging, by inhibiting the University's ability to perform without a decline in standards of quality, rather than critical, by threatening the institution as a whole. Council was reminded of the recent CBI report advocating a 4% p.a. efficiency gain, and it was suggested that the University make moves to educate the CBI, particularly at local level, of the financial situation of the institution.
94/38 Health, Safety and Environmental Committee (COUN 94:20)
.1 Council received a Report of the 58th meeting of the Health, Safety and Environmental Committee held on 18 May 1994.
.2 It was RESOLVED to approve recommendations referred by the Committee at that meeting as follows:
(a) First Aid Policy: Procedure for Dealing with First Aid Emergencies and Sudden Illness
(b) Health and Safety Policy Revisions
.3 Council noted action taken by the Committee in the following other matters:
(a) Outbreak of Viral Gastroenteritis
(b) Occupational Health Sub-Committee
(c) Environmental Policy Sub-Committee
(d) Code of Practice on Electrical Safety
(e) Risk Assessments
(f) Training of Safety Representatives
(g) Fire Consultants' Report
(h) Safety Audits and Inspections
(i) Health and Safety Officer's Report
(j) Accident Statistics
(k) Edward Herbert Swimming Pool
.1 Council received a Report of the Third meeting of the Residential and Catering Services Committee held on 29 June 1994.
.2 Council noted action taken by the Committee at that meeting as follows:
(a) Financial Position at 31 March 1994
(b) Performance Indicators
(c) Student Questionnaire
(d) Routine Maintenance Programme 1994/95
(e) Major Building Projects
.3 Council was informed that the new residential development of Faraday/Royce Halls would be completed for the 1994 entry. This would provide about 230 additional rooms, though total student numbers were expected to increase by over 400 in 1994/95. There were therefore no difficulties anticipated in filling Hall rooms at the start of the session, particularly as the Director of the Residential Organisation was expecting more returning students to be offered Hall accommodation.
.4 Attention was drawn to the item on Major Building Projects and the reference to problems that had arisen over the possible conversion of the Mumford Arts Centre. The Chair of Residential and Catering Services Committee informed Council that this particular reference was to be modified in the Committee's formal Minutes, to reflect the intention to consider further the best use to be made of Mumford Arts Centre. The University's Arts activities were to be moved to an alternative site. Members were informed that as the result of the proposals in regard to the future of the Wayside, Westbridge and Forest Hey properties, 50 Hall places would be lost. The loss was considered acceptable in the face of current plans. The University had established a student housing office which so far had 55 managed properties on its list, likely to increase to 100 in the next year, and this would alleviate some pressures from increased student numbers. However, should a decision be made to increase student numbers at a future date the question of residential accommodation would need to be revisited. Scenarios of up to 12-15,000 students in 2004/5 were being looked at as part of the Estates Strategy, representing demographic shares of 33% to 40% akin to Government and CBI policies respectively, though there was as yet no agreed University policy on such increases.
.1 Council received a Report of the Seventh Meeting of the Information Services Committee held on 3 June 1994.
.2 Council noted action taken by the Committee at that meeting as follows:
(a) Information Strategy
(b) Budgets for 1994-95
(c) Lecture Room Services
(d) IT Policy Implementation Working Group
(e) STILE Project
(f) Report from the Director of Audio Visual Services
(g) Report from the Director of Computing Services
(h) Report from the Librarian
(i) Users' Committees
(j) Electronic Services
.3 The Chair of Information Services Committee reported that the meeting scheduled to discuss the Information Strategy had taken place and further discussions would take place in the Autumn. Proposals were underway in regard to implementation of the IT Policy, one of which was intended to facilitate the use by students of their own PCs by extending networking facilities to Hall rooms, and thereby releasing central facilities for other students' use.
.1 Council received a Report of the 21st meeting of the Research Committee held on 26 May 1994.
.2 Council noted action taken by the Committee at that meeting as follows:
(a) Preparation for the 1996 Research Assessment Exercise
(b) Devolution of Research Funding to Schools 1994/95
(c) Postgraduate Research Training
.3 The Vice-Chancellor drew attention to the closure of the joint Leicester/Loughborough Research Fund, informing members that closure had been initiated by Leicester University. It was likely that natural links between the two institutions had now been pump-primed.
.1 Council received a Report of the 88th meeting of the Resources and Planning Committee held on 27 May 1994.
.2 It was RESOLVED to ratify Chair's action in approving on behalf of Council:
Revised 1994/95 Tuition Fees: WEDC MSc courses
.3 It was RESOLVED to approve a recommendation referred by the Committee at that meeting as follows:
Overseas Tuition Fees: 1995/96
.4 Council noted action taken by the Committee in the following other matters:
(a) Estimates 1993/94
(b) FRASL Allocations 1994/95
(c) Infrastructural Budget Proposals: 1994/95
(d) Summary Budget 1994/95
(e) Operations Sub-Committee
(f) Resource Allocation Working Party
(g) Space Development Sub-Committee
(h) Estates Management Committee
.1 Council received a Report of the Fifth meeting of the Student Services Committee held on 1 June 1994.
.2 It was RESOLVED to approve a recommendation referred by the Committee at that meeting as follows:
Report of the Working Party on Substance Abuse
.3 Council noted action taken by the Committee at that meeting in the following other matters:
(a) Membership
(b) Information Sought from Student Applicants
(c) Annual Report for 1992-93: Careers Service
(d) Budget Bids for 1994-95
(e) Guidance for Departments in the Event of Injury, Accidents or Sudden Illness
(f) Student Services Network Group
(g) Overseas Students Sub-Committee
(h) Special Needs Sub-Committee
(i) Undergraduate Withdrawals 1989-93
.1 Council received a Report of the 294th meeting of Senate held on 22 June 1994.
.2 Council noted the position with respect to a proposed new Students' Union Constitution for implementation in 1994/95 and RESOLVED to authorise the Chair to take action on behalf of Council following the advice of the University's solicitors and the approval by the Vice-Chancellor on behalf of Senate.
.3 It was RESOLVED to approve recommendations referred by Senate at that meeting as follows:
(a) BA in Drama with English, to commence in October 1994
(b) BSc in Computing with a Modern Language, to commence in October 1996
(c) MSc in Renewable Energy Systems Technology, to commence in October 1994
(d) MSc in Urban Water Supply, to commence in October 1994
(e) MEng in Aeronautical Engineering, to commence in October 1995
(f) BEng/MEng in Aeronautical Operational Engineering, to commence in October 1995
(g) Selection and Periods of Office of Heads of Departments
(h) Centre for Extension Studies - Redesignation as Centre for Hazard and Risk Management
(i) Research Committee - Constitution, Membership and Terms of Reference
(j) Ordinance VIII - Amendments
In regard to (i) Research Committee - Constitution, Membership and Terms of Reference, it was RESOLVED to approve a recommendation of the Vice-Chancellor that, subject to the agreement of the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research), the constitution of the Committee be further amended such that the Committee Chair was the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research).
.4 Council noted action taken by Senate in the following other matters:
(a) Admission Requirements
(b) Academic Quality Committee
(c) Term Dates
(d) Modular Courses and Access Committee
(e) Ordinances and Regulations Committee
.5 The Vice-Chancellor expressed his appreciation to all those involved in the progression of the arrangements for semesterisation.
Council received the Annual Report of the Equal Opportunities Committee for the Session 1993/94.
Pursuant to Statute XVII, on the recommendation of Senate and with the advice of the Chair of the Honorary Degrees Committee, it was RESOLVED to approve the award of an Honorary Degree at the Degree Congregation to be held in September 1994 as follows:
Dame Anne McLaren - DSc
President of the British Association for the Advancement of Science
Dame Anne McLaren, DBE, DPhil, FRS, PRCOG was Principal Research Associate, Wellcome/Cancer Research Campaign Institute and Research Fellow, Kings College, Cambridge.
It was RESOLVED to approve the Report of the Nominating Committee.
.1 Council noted the membership of Council for 1994/95 as thus far determined.
.2 It was RESOLVED to appoint to the Chairs of certain Committees for the Session 1994-95.
.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.
Council received the Annual Report of the Appointments Board for the Session 1992/93.
It was RESOLVED to ratify the action of the Registrar in affixing the University Seal to the documents listed.
94/51 Any Other Business
.1 Council offered its congratulations to Mr Manley on his award of the CBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours list.
.2 The Chair drew attention to the portrait of the former Vice-Chancellor, Sir David Davies, recently unveiled.
.3 On behalf of Council the Chair thanked retiring Council members for their contribution and support.
Council noted the dates proposed for meetings of Council in Session 1994/95, as follows:
Friday 14 October 1994 at 2.00 pm
Wednesday 21 December 1994 at 10.45 am
* Friday 17 February 1995 at 10.45 am
Wednesday 29 March 1995 at 10.45 am
Wednesday 12 July 1995 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.
Friday 14 October 1994 at 2.00 pm.
The meeting was intended for the discussion of strategic issues and routine business would not be transacted.
Next Ordinary Meeting: Wednesday 21 December 1994 at 10.45 am.