General Assembly

 

NOTICE OF MEETING

 

GA10-A2

 

There will be a meeting of the General Assembly on MONDAY 21 JUNE 2010 at 4.30 pm in the Quorn Lecture Theatre (J.1.10), Edward Herbert Building.

 

Dr Jennifer Nutkins, Secretary

 

 

AGENDA

1. Minutes

To confirm, subject to any correction, the Minutes of General Assembly on 10 March 2010 (GA10-M1, attached).

 

2. Matters Arising from the Minutes not appearing elsewhere on the Agenda

 

3. Structure of the University

 

(a)          To note that the following motion has been submitted by 40 members of General Assembly:

 

“We, the General Assembly of Loughborough University, are concerned about the likely impact on staff and jobs of the restructuring proposals and the move to larger Schools. We resolve that the Vice-Chancellor and members of SENATE must ensure:

 

i)     That the justification for any proposed restructuring should be based on factual, quantifiable cost-benefit analysis that can justify the benefits, which need to be made available to General Assembly members, so that they may comment on the appropriateness and accuracy of the facts.

 

ii)    That any move to larger schools takes place as and when the financial benefits and academic synergy are assured.

 

iii)   That any restructuring should take care to maintain collegiality and avoid centralisation of decision making.

 

iv)   That positions of senior academic leadership (such as heads of schools) should always be held by academics and democratically elected by the members of the school.”

 

(b)          To note that the final report from the University Structure Project Management Board, to be considered at Senate on 30 June 2010, has been circulated to all staff.

(c)       To receive a presentation from the Vice-Chancellor and Professor Chris Linton, Chair of the Project Management Board.

 

(d)       To consider any comments to be conveyed to Senate (30 June 2010) and Council (8 July 2010).

4. Future of the USS Pension Scheme

 

(a)          To note that the following motion has been submitted by 103 members of General Assembly:

 

"We, the General Assembly of Loughborough University, take note of the USS actuary's evaluation of the required changes that are needed to set the Scheme on a sustainable future basis and support UCU's proposals for reforming the USS pension scheme open to all members of the academic and academic related staff of Loughborough University.

 

We, the General Assembly of Loughborough University, resolve that the Vice Chancellor, Chair and members of Council should take note of the support of the General Assembly of Loughborough University for UCU’s proposals for reforming the USS system and that they inform the Employers' Pensions Forum of Loughborough University's support for the UCU proposals in order that the Joint Negotiating Committee can achieve a speedy agreement on any necessary changes to USS.”

 

(b)          To note that further information on proposals for reforming USS is available at:

 

Employers Pension Forum for HE :

 

http://www.employerspensionsforum.co.uk/en/pension-schemes/uss-review.cfm

 

UCU: http://www.ucu.org.uk/index.cfm?articleid=4596

 

and a brief summary comparing the proposals is attached (HRC10-P14).

 

(c)          To receive a presentation from the Vice-Chancellor and the Chief Operating Officer in relation to the future of the USS pension scheme.

(d)          To consider any comments to be conveyed to Council (8 July 2010).

 

 

Author – Jennifer Nutkins

Date – June 2010

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