Senate

SEN99-M5

Minutes of the 328th (Ordinary) Meeting of Senate held on Wednesday 23 June 1999

Apologies for absence were received from: Professor Alty, Dr Baldwin, Dr Dine, Mr Lewis, Professor Parsons, Mr Rowland, Professor Smith, Mr Smout and Professor Wilkinson.

99/53 Business of the Agenda

Agenda item 16.5 was unstarred. Discussion of this item relating to the budgetary position was held under item 99/56.6.

99/54 Minutes

The Minutes of the 326th Meeting held on 10 March 1999 (SEN 99-M3), were confirmed and signed.

99/55 Matters Arising from the Minutes

There were no matters arising.

99/56 Matters for Report by the Vice-Chancellor

The Vice-Chancellor reported that:

1. Ford had confirmed its investment in the Ford Retail College to be situated on campus. This was a major development for Ford both in the UK and in Europe. It was confirmed that the contractual arrangements were satisfactory for all parties. Senate extended its congratulations to the Business School on this successful outcome and the Bursar was thanked for his contributions to the negotiations.
2. Arrangements for appointing a new Registrar were well underway and interviews were scheduled for 7 July 1999.
3. The findings of the Bett report were now officially available and were wide ranging. It considered that 40% of staff in higher education were underpaid and identified lecturers and professors as particularly underremunerated. A 9% increase in salary bill overall was identified. Government had already made clear that this would be for universities to implement from within existing budgets.
4. The AUT was in dispute regarding the 3.5% pay offer, which had now been accepted by other unions. Continuing industrial action short of a strike was planned. Senate was advised that the AUT was in dispute with the government which in its view was failing to support a world class university system. Particular thanks were extended to Mrs J Easton, Examinations Officer, for her excellent work in re-arranging Programme Boards following the recent action.
5. A tentative agreement had been reached with LAUT concerning a review of fixed term contracts with a view to minimising them in return for an agreement in principle concerning compulsory redundancy. LAUT members would soon be balloted regarding new conditions of service which would rescind the policy of no compulsory redundancy in return for a minimisation of fixed term contracts. Senate was reassured that there were no specific plans to use the provisions of the Model Statute at present, but that it was appropriate to regard contracts as "open ended" rather than "permanent".
6. The definitive budget for next session had not yet been approved by Resources and Planning Committee. Agreement had not been reached on the balance of funds to carry forward for next session or the balance to pay into reserves. The University wished to invest substantially in research initiatives to sustain and improve performance and at the same time was required by Council to repay £2M per annum into reserves following investment in the building programme and in particular in the Engineering Building complex. The extent to which the financial objectives could be reconciled represented a strategic choice for the University.

99/57 Matters for Report by the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Teaching)

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

1. The University Open Day had been a most successful occasion and it was estimated that there had been 5,000 visitors including parents. Initial feedback had been very positive.

2. Recruitment of UK/EU undergraduate students was progressing satisfactorily. There had been a 10% decline in applications for undergraduate programmes from international students but the conversion rate had improved on last year and so the fall in intake was expected to be less than 10%. The number of applications from international students for postgraduate programmes was improving and the intake was anticipated to at least equal to that of 1998. It was recognised that international recruitment was in general decline but the Student Recruitment and Admissions Team were fully engaged in developing and rebuilding markets. The initiative of LUSAD and its role in the international market in Kenya was acknowledged.

99/58 Matters for Report by the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research)

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

1. It was anticipated that new research grants and contracts would reach £20M by the end of the financial year, exceeding the target that had been set. Congratulations were offered to all staff concerned.

2. EPSRC and other Research Councils were moving towards electronic document submission. The contacts for this development were Mr P Harvey, AISU and Mr S Hughes, Finance Office.

3. Mr P Townsend, the Research Support Manager would take up his duties on 12 July 1999 and would be located in Rutland Hall.
4. In anticipation of the Research Assessment Exercise of 2001, Research Committee would be circulating an action plan for the period to March 2000. Co-ordination for the process would be undertaken by the Associate Deans (Research) and Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research). Departments would be circulated regarding a number of matters for consideration raised by the guidelines. Senate was advised that procedures were already in place to retain staff, wherever appropriate, in the face of headhunting strategies from other institutions.

5. The deadline for applications for funding from the Gatsby Foundation was imminent. A number of bids had been made under the JIF initiative including two from the Engineering Faculty and up to five other projects were under development including two centre site bids. It was noted that preparation for the bids was extremely time consuming and costly. It was felt, however, that they could be platforms on which other bids could be developed and would facilitate high quality research.

6. As reported in a recent issue of The Higher, HEFCE would in future expect to be able to audit in detail the expenditure of QR monies. This might entail a radical review of the University structure to move towards research segregated management structures. The University was likely to be in the first tranche of 30 universities to be involved in a pilot study commencing in August. A small working group had been established to look at the implications for the University and the PVC(R) undertook to provide further information.

99/59 University Strategic Plan 1999/00 - 2003/04

1. Senate considered the draft University Strategic Plan; comments from the meeting of the Chairman of Council's Advisory Group; a revised Mission Statement, Faculty responses and a revised introductory statement which had been tabled. It was noted that there had been widespread consultation the outcomes of which had been summarised for Senate's information. Comments from the Support Services, although not presented, had been made available to the Chairman of Council's Advisory Group. Senate was advised that in the revised Mission Statement and introduction greater emphasis was given to research and a University ethos had been articulated.
2. Members of Senate welcomed the revised Mission Statement and the higher profile accorded to research and a number of detailed points were raised. The statements concerning shared values aimed to elucidate the concept of academic freedom. It was suggested that the second sentence of the new introductory statement should be amended with respect to the tense of the phrase 'the University will become a research led institution'. It was suggested that the order of the bullet points in the introductory statement be reviewed to put those relating to staff and students first. It was not apparent how the ethos section in the Mission Statement related to the revised introduction. Members expressed differing views on whether the shared values should explicitly refer to environmental issues. It was felt that the reference to 'people' in the first bullet point should be more clearly defined.
3. With respect to the revised Mission Statement it was noted that no reference was made to the University's contribution to cultural developments. This was felt to be an omission given the contribution LUSAD made within the University. It was felt, however, that the University's contribution to sport was unique and exceptional and that this did not apply equally to cultural developments. It was agreed that the second bullet point under ethos be amended to add a reference to cultural development. There needed to be consistent references throughout to 'the professions' as well as industry and in particular this should be added to the first bullet point in Section D. Under Section A Research there was no reference to the RAE and to published output in contrast to the reference to research students. It was felt that the second bullet point under Section B regarding the External Relations Office should be re-phrased. A suggestion was made that a reference should be made to the preservation of knowledge but it was felt that this was implicit in the aims of Research and Teaching. It was noted that there was no international dimension to the Mission Statement and that this should be corrected. It was suggested that the third bullet point of Section C should be widened to include facilitation of staff.

99/60 Student Feedback

99/61 Programme Proposals

(SEN99-P33)

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 as appropriate:

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

BSc Information Technology (Peterborough)
BSc Business Studies (Singapore)
MSc Banking and Management
MEng Materials Engineering
MA Art and Education
MSc Advanced Process Engineering
MSc Mechanical and Electrical Project Management
Diploma in Economics
Professional Diploma in Management (FKI)
Professional Diploma in Criminal Justice Studies
MSc in Industrial Sales and Marketing
Professional Certificate/Diploma in Management in Automotive Retailing (Ford)

2. New programmes for introduction in the 2000/2001 session

BSc Sports Technology
MSc Building Services Engineering
MSc Multimedia and Internet Computing
MSc Environmental Studies

3. New Awards

Introduction of the Diploma in Professional Studies to ten undergraduate programmes in the Department of European Studies, from 2000/01

4. Change to programme titles

BSc Economics with Accountancy to Economics with Accounting with retrospective effect from the 1997 entry.
BEng Materials with Business Studies to Materials with Management Studies with effect from the October 1999 entry.
Extended Study Programme in Design to Extended Study Programme in Design and Arts Practice with effect from the 1999 entry.

5. The discontinuation of the following programme with no further student intake:-

99/62 Engineering Doctorate Scheme

It was RESOLVED in accordance with the successful bid to EPSRC to take the following actions:

1. Centre for Innovative Construction Engineering
   (SEN99-P34)

On the recommendation of the Faculty of Engineering to recommend to Council the formal establishment of the Centre for Innovative Construction Engineering with immediate effect.

2. Engineering Doctorate
   (SEN99-P35)

On the recommendation of Research Committee to recommend to Council the introduction of the Engineering Doctorate with effect from October 1999 and to approve regulations.

3. Regulations for Higher Degrees by Research

On the recommendation of Ordinances and Regulations Committee to approve an amendment to paragraph 1 of the Regulations for Higher Degrees by Research to include the Engineering Doctorate (EngD), with effect from 1999/2000.

4. Ordinance IV : Titles of Degrees and Conditions of Award

99/63 Teaching and Learning Committee

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

1. Review of the Science and Engineering Foundation Studies Programme
   (SEN99-P36)

To approve recommendations arising from a review of the Science and Engineering Foundation Studies Programme.

2. Impaired Performance Claims
   (SEN99-P37)

To approve a revised claim form and revised Notes of Guidance.

3. Coursework Code of Practice
   (SEN99-P38)

To approve revisions to the Code of Practice for 1999/2000 to incorporate postgraduate coursework, amend requirements in relation to feedback and add a reference to Computer Assisted Assessment.

4. Code of Practice on Computer Assisted Assessment - use of the Question Mark for Windows Service
   (SEN99-P39)

To approve a new Code of Practice on Computer Assisted Assessment for coursework testing.

5. Bought in Teaching : Involvement of Postgraduate Students
   (SEN99-P40)

99/64 Research Committee

It was RESOLVED on the recommendation of Research Committee to approve a proposal to amend paras 17.2 and 17.9 of the RHDR concerning the constitution of Appeal Bodies concerned with research degrees to enable Associate Deans (Research) to Chair Appeal Bodies. (Supporting papers for this item are presented under agenda item 13.1.)

99/65 Ordinances and Regulations Committee

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

1. Regulations for Higher Degrees by Research
   (SEN99-P41)

To approve an amendment to the Regulations for Higher Degrees by Research, giving effect to Research Committee's recommendation that Associate Deans (Research) be permitted to Chair an Appeal Body, with effect from 1999/2000.

2. General Regulations/Assessment Regulations for Introductory Studies
   (SEN99-P42)

a) To approve an Appendix to the General Regulations for Introductory Studies, in regard to admission requirements for FEFC - funded provision in LUSAD with immediate effect.

b) To approve amendments to the Regulations with immediate effect.

3. Ordinance XIX : Assessment
   (SEN99-P43)

To recommend to Council amendments to Ordinance XIX, relating to Introductory Studies Programmes (FEFC - funded provision) in LUSAD with immediate effect.

4. Ordinance XXXIII Diplomas and Certificates
   (SEN99-P44)

To recommend to Council amendments to Ordinance XXXIII, relating to Introductory Studies Programmes (FEFC - funded provision) in LUSAD with immediate effect.

5. General Regulations for Diplomas
   (SEN99-P45)

To approve proposed amendments to the General Regulations for Diplomas to incorporate modular Diploma programmes with immediate effect.

(These General Regulations cover the 'other Diplomas' referred to at the end of Ordinance XXXIII, para.1.)

6. Regulation 1 : Library
   (SEN99-P46)

On the recommendation of Information Services Committee, to approve amendments to Library Regulations with effect from the first day of Semester One in the academic session 1999/2000.

7. Ordinance XV : Study Leave
   (SEN99-P47)

To recommend to Council an amendment to Ordinance XV, giving effect to Council's decision that part-time academic staff should no longer be excluded from eligibility for Study Leave with immediate effect.

8. EngD

99/66 Prizes

(SEN99-P48)

It was RESOLVED to ratify the action taken on behalf of Senate in relation to appointments of Prize Assessors and recommendations to Council concerning the establishment of Prizes.

99/67 Co-opted Membership

It was RESOLVED to authorise the Vice Chancellor to act on behalf of Senate in co-opting a Member of Senate to fulfil the requirements of Statute XIV para (iv).

99/68 Reports from Committees

Reports from the following Committees were received:

99/69 Careers Service Advisory Board Annual Report

Senate noted the publication of the Careers Service Advisory Board Annual Report for 1997/98 [the report had been circulated to all Heads of Departments and further copies are available for consultation in the Careers Service].

99/70 Ethical Advisory Committee Annual Report

(SEN99-P54)

The annual report of the Ethical Advisory Committee was noted.

99/71 Provisional Schedule of Meetings for Next Session

A provisional schedule of meetings for next session was noted as follows:

99/72 Dates of Semesters 1999 - 2005

(SEN99-P55)

Dates of semesters were noted for the next five academic years, derived from the recommendations on the structure of the academic year approved by Senate at its previous meeting.

99/73 Any Other Business

1. The Director of Information Services and Strategy reported that discussions were underway concerning the reconfiguration of the Committees associated with the Information Services. Their terms of reference, structure and accountability were all under review. It was intended that a formal proposal would be presented to Senate in November. It was noted that currently Information Services Committee reported to Senate and a member felt that it was important to have information in this area available to Senate.

ACTION: Director (ISS)

2. A member of Senate expressed concern that his department had been asked to reduce its journal expenditure in the Library by 23%. It was noted that the University ranked 75th nationally in its expenditure per student. The Director of ISS acknowledged that this had been recognised as an issue at a recent meeting of research leaders.

99/74 Date of Next Meeting (Provisional)

Wednesday 27 October1999 (if required) at 9.15 am.

Wednesday 1 December 1999 at 9.15 am.