Senate

SEN99-M3

Minutes of the 326th (Ordinary) Meeting of Senate held on Wednesday 10 March 1999

Apologies for absence were received from: Dr R K Dart, Professor D J Hourston,
Professor T Kavanagh, Dr A D F Price, Dr A C Pugh, Professor M H Smith, Mr I K Smout.

99/15 Business of the Agenda

Agenda item 16 was unstarred.

99/16 Minutes

The Minutes of the 324^th Meeting held on 27 January 1999 were confirmed and signed by the Chairman.

99/17 Matters Arising from the Minutes

1. Further to Minute 99/3.1 of Senate's 324^th meeting, Senate NOTED the current position with respect to ID cards. It was to be hoped that the disciplinary issue would never need to arise in respect of this matter.
2. Further to Minute 99/3.2 of Senate's 324^th meeting, the position with respect to an analysis of the academic progress of students from the Foundation Year was noted.

The Vice-Chancellor reported that:-

1. The University had achieved an overall increase of 2.5% in funding levels which was marginally better than had been anticipated. For the first time the University had received a grant increase above the national average. This was largely due to the University's Access policies which had attracted additional funding.
2. The University had been identified as one of the centres of the UK Sports Institute National Network. It was not yet clear whether this would enable the University to benefit from Lottery Funding. To date the University had been cautious about marketing itself in relation to its sporting achievements. Nevertheless it was felt that it might now be timely to focus on these accomplishments as other competitors were strongly doing so.
3. The Strategic Planning process was well underway and it was expected that a draft document would be available for comment by the end of March.
4. Lord Sainsbury had recently launched the development of the Engineering Building and construction would commence in the near future.

The Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Teaching) reported that:

1. Applications for undergraduate programmes at Loughborough University from UK/EU students had increased by 10%. This was a tribute not only to the University staff involved in admissions but to the increasing appreciation of the quality of education the University provided.

Applications from international students were, however, less buoyant. It was clear that the University needed to diversify into alternative overseas markets and reduce its dependency on South East Asia. All Heads of Departments were asked to consider how this might be achieved. The University was developing an action plan and it was confirmed that the bursary scheme would continue.

Action : Heads of Departments

Members of Senate reported that the overseas market for postgraduate study was being maintained. It was felt that general marketing was much less useful than a targetted, focussed approach towards particular regions or institutions. The former Soviet Union was identified as a potential area for development. The need for a more aggressive approach to overseas recruitment was identified and it was suggested that this should be the responsibility of a single, identifiable individual. The University could also employ greater use of its Alumni networks. The importance of integrating international students fully into campus life when they arrived was emphasised and the Student Accommodation Services would be asked to be sensitive to this.

Action : Secretary and PVC(T)

2. Access funds were available to all UK students, subject to meeting certain financial criteria. Heads of Departments were asked to promote their availability actively to ensure that students facing financial hardship could be assisted.

The Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research) reported that:

1. Development funding had been targetted at 4 and 5 rated units of assessment with a view to making a significant difference in the outcome of the next RAE. A number of other proposals for funding were under consideration. £600K had been allocated across the Faculties to support research studentships on a jointly funded basis. It was for Directorates to determine how the studentships would be advertised and promoted. One appointment had already been made under the fast track initiative.
2. The deadline for applications under the Foresight Link scheme was approaching. The deadline for submissions for the joint research equipment initiative was the end of May. The Vice-Chancellor asked all departments to take up these funding opportunities.

99/21 QAA Consultation Paper on Qualifications Frameworks : Postgraduate Qualifications

(SEN99-P8)

1. Senate discussed a number of issues arising from the proposals in relation to both taught programmes and research. In particular attention was given to the use of the title 'Master' in relation to extended undergraduate programmes and for postgraduate conversion programmes. It was felt that external accrediting bodies would make representations concerning, for example, the use of M.Eng. It was suggested that where a postgraduate conversion programme was for graduate entrants and postgraduate in level the use of the title 'Master' would be appropriate. However, the converse view was put that this might devalue the currency of more specialized programmes. The meaning of the term 'conversion' was questioned since in many subject areas an interdisciplinary approach was increasingly being adopted. It would be damaging to recruitment in certain areas if the term 'Master' could not be used for certain types of postgraduate programmes. It was accepted, however, that it was not desirable for there to be a significant element of undergraduate teaching in postgraduate programmes. It was felt that the use of the title PGCE represented a great anomaly and that the status of the teaching profession might be enhanced if the use of 'Master' could be adopted.

It was recognized that the purpose of the proposals was to ensure that externally it was clear what the title of Master, whether by programme or research, meant. Ultimately it might be that this could only be conveyed by the use of a transcript and level descriptors.

2. A number of detailed points were raised in respect of research degrees. In Section 3.1 it seemed unlikely that the M.Phil could equate to the requirements of the higher Masters, since it was currently a one year degree at Loughborough. The principle that all postgraduate provision should be credit rated was not appropriate for research degrees. It was noted that higher doctorates, which were not considered in the proposals, could be confused with the PhD awarded for published work referred to in principle XV. It was further noted that the proposals concerning the PhD by practice were of relevance to the University in respect of LUSAD. The issue of higher doctorates should be addressed to avoid confusion with the D.Eng and D.Sc.
3. It was felt that the proposals failed to provide guidance on international relativities which was an important element in reassuring overseas markets on the quality of our qualifications.

Section B - Starred items

99/22 Programme Proposals

It was RESOLVED on the recommendation of the Teaching and Learning Committee and on the advice of the Curriculum Sub-Committee to recommend to Council:

1. New programmes for introduction in the 1999/2000 session.

99/23 Departmental Titles

1. It was RESOLVED to recommend to Council on the recommendation of the Board of the Faculty of Engineering to rename the Department of Aeronautical & Automotive Engineering & Transport Studies, the Department of Aeronautical & Automotive Engineering consequent upon the transfer of the Transport Studies Group to the Department of Civil and Building Engineering with effect from 24 March 1999.
2. It was RESOLVED to recommend to Council on the recommendation of the Board of the Faculty of Engineering to rename the School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering the Wolfson School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering with effect from 24 March 1999, in recognition of the financial contribution from the Wolfson Foundation to the Engineering Complex project.

99/24 Materials Characterisation Centre

(SEN99-P10)

It was RESOLVED on the recommendation of the Board of the Faculty of Science to recommend to Council the establishment of a Materials Characterisation Centre with effect from 24 March 1999.

99/25 QAA Audit Report

(SEN99-P11)

It was RESOLVED on the recommendation of Teaching and Learning Committee to receive the Audit Report from the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education and to note an action plan.

99/26 Teaching and Learning Committee

It was RESOLVED on the recommendation of the Teaching and Learning:

1. Percentages and Postgraduate Programmes

2. General Regulations/Assessment Regulations for Introductory Studies

(SEN99-P13)

To approve General Regulations and Assessment Regulations for Introductory Studies (FEFC funded provision in LUSAD).

99/27 Honorary Degrees

(SEN99-P14)

It was RESOLVED to ratify the action of the Vice-Chancellor on behalf of Senate in recommending to Council pursuant to Statute XVIII and with the advice of the Honorary Degrees Committee six additional persons to be invited to receive Honorary Degrees at Degree Congregations in 1999.

99/28 Research Committee

It was RESOLVED to approve a recommendation from Research Committee that Examiners Reports on research theses be released routinely to all candidates from the start of the 1999/2000 academic session and that the process be reviewed in two years.

Action : Postgraduate Office

99/29 Ordinances and Regulations Committee

It was RESOLVED on the recommendation of Ordinances and Regulations Committee:

1. Ordinance X : Procedure for the appointment of the Chairman of Council

(SEN99-P15)

To approve amendments to Ordinance X with immediate effect.

2. Amendments to GRMPA and ARMPA

(SEN99-P16)

To approve amendments to the GRMPA and ARMPA consequent upon the proposed scheme for the award of Masters degrees and LPDs with distinction based upon percentage marks rather than grades, with effect from 1999/2000.

3. General Regulations/Assessment Regulations for Introductory Studies

99/30 Reports from Committees

.1 Reports from the following Committees were received:

1. (SEN99-P17) Research Committee of 11 December 1998 and 4 February 1999
2. (SEN99-P18) Ordinances and Regulations Committee of 5 February 1999
3. (SEN99-P19) Teaching and Learning Committee of 11 February 1999
4. (SEN99-P20) Resources and Planning Committee of 12 February 1999

.2 A member of Senate drew a comparison between the apparent volume of business transacted by Teaching and Learning Committee compared with that of Research Committee as suggested by the lengths of reports to Senate. It was noted that much of Teaching and Learning Committee's business was externally generated and that it was essential to provide an audit trail. The volume of Research Committee business was likely to expand as the RAE approached.

.3 Clarification was requested as to the membership and role of the Research Team, the Research Office, the Research Support Manager and the Postgraduate Office. The Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research) reported that the Research Support Manager had not yet been appointed; the Research Team consisted of the PVC(R), the ADRs, a member each from the Registry, Finance Office and External Relations Office. The Research Support Manager would manage the processes within the Team. A member commented that the structure appeared quite hierarchical when research activity relied on individual endeavour. It was reported that the Research Office would support departments in their research activities and would assist in the recruitment of research students.

.4 The report of Resources and Planning Committee referred to a number of building initiatives and in particular the Ford Retail College as an extension of Burleigh Court. A member voiced concerns that there was already great pressure on the west site and students were expected to cross campus too frequently to attend lectures. Senate was advised that the Ford Retail College was part of a major financial investment by Ford in the Business School. It provided significant opportunities for future development. In the longer term the Engineering Building should relieve pressure in this area of campus. The potential was identified for the Great Hall to reduce cross campus traffic.

It was noted that 95% of the University Fitness Service's clients were students who would otherwise use facilities in town. The Performance Training Centre was a facility primarily for elite and serious athletes.

99/31 Degree Congregation in Winter 1999

It was NOTED that the date of the winter degree congregation will be Tuesday 21 December 1999.

99/32 Any Other Business

99/33 Date of Next Meeting

Wednesday 23 June 1999 at 9.15 am

Minutes