__________________________________________________________________
Minutes
of the meeting of General Assembly held on 29th FEBRUARY 2012
Present:
12 members signed the attendance list.
1/12 Minutes
The Minutes of General Assembly held on 9
February 2011 were accepted as an accurate record.
2/12 Matters Arising
There were no matters arising.
3/12 Vice-Chancellor’s Report
3.1
External Environment
The University
faced a number of challenges from the changing external environment. Management
of the impact of the new undergraduate fee regime and restriction of the number
of students with entry grades below AAB required particular care and attention.
Most undergraduate applications had now been received and effort at School and
central levels focussed on converting offer holders to Loughborough. Whilst
much attention was directed to recruitment and admissions at present,
maintaining strength in research and enterprise remained of the utmost importance.
3.2
Financial Position at Loughborough
The Chief Operating Officer provided an
update on the University’s financial position:
·
The 2010/11
Financial Statements showed an operating surplus of £11.9m which would be
re-invested in the University’s facilities
·
Financial
planning was demanding given the uncertain external environment
·
In 2012/13
there would be a significant shift from HEFCE funding to teaching to funding
from increased student fees and this would continue as the new funding regime
for undergraduates bedded in
·
Despite the
higher fees, the University would not receive increased income
·
The five
year forecasts to 2015/16 showed significant variations in surplus based on
current assumptions of steady student recruitment and the best estimates of pay
and general inflation but would continue to be refined as more information
became available
·
To enable
investment in the capital programme, higher surpluses were needed, not least as
a result of the reduction of capital grants from HEFCE
3.3 Action
Plan Following Senate-Council Away Day
The Senate-Council
Away Day in October 2011 had highlighted a number of areas for further action
and a plan was now in place for implementation. The areas included:
·
Enhance
marketing activity to strengthen the University’s reputation further
·
Continued
enhancement of the estate
·
Better use
of staff skills
·
Identify
areas of strength and new opportunities as priorities for future investment
·
Integration
of enterprise activity
·
Olympic Park
project – noting this must complement activity on campus
3.4 Recent Achievements
The Vice-Chancellor reported on recent achievements
including the following:
·
The
University had maintained or improved its position in a number of league tables
·
The recent
award of EPSRC Centre funding
·
Around £10m
was expected to fund the National Centre for Sport and Exercise Medicine
·
A joint
venture between Intelligent Energy and Suzuki
·
The recent
opening of the Design Centre and Nike Academy
·
Success with
student recruitment in 2011
3.5 Olympic Update
All Team GB members
would visit the campus to collect their official kit and a significant number
would also train at the University. Plans were well advanced for the hosting of
the Torch Relay in early July. The intention was to maintain “business as
usual” as far as possible on campus during these events.
3.6 Staff Survey
The second staff
survey would be undertaken in April and May and staff were strongly encouraged
to participate. Responses were confidential.
3.7 Senior
Appointments
The Vice-Chancellor
reported on the current position with a number of senior appointments. She
conveyed her thanks to Sir Bryan Carsberg, outgoing Chair of Council and
welcomed the new Chair, Sir Peter Bonfield, who took up the post on 1 January
2012.
4. Estates Strategy
Following a
question from a member, it was confirmed that the possible move of some
additional University activities to Holywell Park was being considered as part
of addressing the issues identified in the Estates Strategy relating to the
Central Park.
5.
Date
of Next Meeting
To be
confirmed.
Author: Jennifer
Nutkins
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Loughborough University.