General
Assembly
GA06-M1
______________________________________________________________________
Minutes of the meeting of General Assembly held on 15th
March 2006
Present: 33
members signed the attendance list.
Apologies for absence were received from the Deputy Vice-Chancellor.
1. Minutes
The Minutes of the sixty-eighth meeting of the General
Assembly held on 16 March 2005 were accepted as a true record.
2. Matters
Arising
There were no matters arising.
3. Vice-Chancellor’s
Report
The Vice-Chancellor delivered a presentation reflecting on
some of the issues raised with her during her initial visits across campus.
This formed part of a presentation that had been delivered at a previous
meeting of Senate.
At all her visits prior to taking up the post, Shirley
Pearce asked students and staff what they felt had led to Loughborough being so
successful. She listed the responses and a copy of her presentation is
available from Veronica King. The core values of the University were evident
and shared by everybody. Good financial management coupled with high quality
administration and good labour relations also played its part in the
University’s success. Reference was also made to the strength of the
research undertaken at Loughborough.
The Vice-Chancellor highlighted that a number of students
had also been consulted when making her visits to the various departments. From
such consultation it was clear that the University had a high level of respect
for its students. However there were areas of University practice where
students had expressed concerns. The current student/staff ratio; induction
procedures for both post graduate and international students; and the level of
assessment and feedback currently given to students were all referred to.
The Vice-Chancellor then looked at some of the challenges
currently facing the University. In particular should the University continue
to remain a ‘non-aligned’ institution, or should it seek alignment.
Recognition also needs to be given to the fact that the HE sector is becoming
more specialised.
The University’s relationship with Loughborough town
was also commented upon. The Vice-Chancellor noted the impressive work already
done in this area, and made specific reference to the Community Cohesion
meeting that had been held recently. However, it was clear that further
improvement of local community relations still presented significant challenges
for the future.
The Vice-Chancellor then looked at the issues of marketing.
It was noted that University needed to identify its ‘brand’ and pay
careful attention to its media profile. Reference was made to the recent
awarding of a fifth Queen’s Anniversary Prize to the University for
Research in Social Policy, and the significant achievement this represented.
The Vice-Chancellor recognised the importance of work done
with elite athletes here at
Geographically, the University needs to continue to
integrate itself with LUSAD being mindful of the physical barrier created by
A closer look was then taken at the organisational
challenges faced by the University. In particular the Vice-Chancellor commented
on the need to improve communication with the University’s manual staff.
It was also recognised that there was a need to provide additional support for
Heads of Department.
In conclusion, the Vice-Chancellor raised a number of
questions which still need to be tackled. Is the University clear on it’s core values? what is the
‘Loughborough Experience’?, and how will the University respond to
the current pressures of the HE sector?
The Vice-Chancellor was then asked about the
University’s new Strategic Plan and whether it would be reactive or
proactive. In response the Vice-Chancellor highlighted the need for a balanced
approach; on the one hand being in a position to determine and influence what
is happening in the HE sector, but to also be well placed to respond to
developments that have not been anticipated.
The Vice-Chancellor informed members that an away day is
scheduled for June 2006, which will be attended by members of Council, Senate
and senior HoDs to discuss the Strategic Plan in further detail.
4. University
Financial Position
The Bursar presented the University’s current
financial position. Details of the HEFCE grant for 2006/07 were given, and it
was pointed out that the University was not hitting all of its benchmarked
targets. As a result there had only been a 3.5% increase in overall funding.
The Bursar then looked at the various sources of funding
received by the University and how this funding is spent. The importance of pay
was referred to in relation to this. The Resources Planning Committee had
reported a 2.5% increase in turnover ensuring that Loughborough was doing well
in comparison to other HEIs.
It was then reported that the University was in consultation with
Charnwood Borough Council regarding a number of plans for building development.
In response to a question from one member, the Bursar commented that there
appeared to be enough interest for the development of a 50 hectare business
park, although this required a long time frame. One of the University’s
distinguishing features was its links with industry.
In relation to the increased level of tuition fees charged
by the University from 2006 onwards, it was expected that £18 million income
would be generated over the next 4 years. This additional income was already
strategically spent, however thought needed to be given to where the University
invested in the future.
5. Any Other Business
The
Vice-Chancellor thanked members for attending.
6. Date of Next Meeting
To be
confirmed.
___________________________________________________________________________
Author: M Lister
Date: March 2006
Copyright
© Loughborough University.