SENATE

02/1 Business of the Agenda

02/2 Minutes

02/3 Matters Arising from the Minutes

02/4 Matters for Report by the Vice-Chancellor

02/5 Matters for Report by the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research)

02/6 Matters for Report by the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Teaching)

02/7 Strategic Planning

02/8 Programme Proposals

02/9 Learning and Teaching Committee

02/10 Ordinances and Regulations Committee

02/11 Prizes Committee

02/12 Student Services Committee

02/13 Changes to Titles of Departments

02/14 Information on Quality and Standards of Teaching and Learning (01/66)

02/15 Supply and Demand in Higher Education

02/16 European Activities Group

02/17 Equal Opportunities Committee

02/18 Degree Congregations in 2002 and 2003

02/19 Reports from Committees

02/20 Date of Next Meeting

SEN02-M1

Minutes of the 348th (Ordinary) Meeting of Senate held on Wednesday 6 March 2002.

Apologies for absence were received from Professor Baldwin, Dr Gross, Professor Page and Professor Summers.

Item 19.5 was unstarred.

It was RESOLVED to confirm the Minutes of the 346th Meeting held on 29 November 2001 (SEN01-M7).

Minute 01/115 Matters for Report by the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Teaching)

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

(i) a group to conduct an exploratory study of wireless networking had met. It had considered wireless networking not to be viable at this stage, more on security grounds than any other, though options had been identified for pilots in support of 'mobile' students/lecturers with lap-tops.

(ii) an analysis by the Accommodation Office showed the steady attrition of returning students in Hall accommodation with the increase in freshers in Hall. There was serious concern amongst students and Wardens that the changing population balance in Halls was affecting the 'Loughborough Experience'. Senate was informed that a review of Hall provision was about to commence.

(Secretary's Note: The analysis showed that the proportion of returning students in Hall had fallen from 44% in 1996/97 to 32% in 2001/02)

.1 The Vice-Chancellor reported that a Performance Review Scheme had been developed which was with the campus Trades Unions for consultation and had been circulated to Heads of Departments and Sections for information. A special meeting of Human Resources Committee on 8 April would consider the scheme for recommendation to Council on 19 April 2002. The scheme was intended to replace the existing appraisal scheme for academic and academic-related staff and would apply to all staff groups. The Vice-Chancellor encouraged Deans to discuss the proposals at Directorates and for Heads of Departments and Sections to make the proposals available within their Department/Section.

ACTION: Deans, Heads of Department/ Section.

It was commented that the teaching element of the Academic Staff Activity System inputting to the scheme should reflect effort rather than simply contact hours.

.2 The Vice-Chancellor congratulated Professor C Oppenheim on being voted one of the top ten workers in the Library field by the Librarians' community in the Independent on Sunday.

.3 The Vice-Chancellor reported on the University's HEFCE grant for 2002/03, a summary of the funds having been received during the meeting. There was an increase in total funding of approximately 6.6%, the largest increase received for some time, comprising a very encouraging 5% increase for the research element and 5.4% increase for the teaching element, together with increases for specific initiatives.

SEN02-P1

.1 Research Enhancement and Planning at Loughborough

The Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research) informed Senate of the procedures and benchmarks being developed to assist in managing research. It was hoped that Faculty pro-formas for Personal Research Plans would develop into a common University pro-forma by next year. In regard to Departmental lists of recognised international/ national publication outlets, a member commented that the Chair of their RAE Panel had cautioned against too great a focus on a targeted list of publication outlets, the originality and distinctiveness of the published work being of more significance. Members were reminded that it could not be assumed that all output was read by RAE panels and that Departmental strategy should focus on maximising quality outputs in quality outlets. In response to a query, the Deputy-Vice-Chancellor commented that there would be a limit to the number of non research-active staff that a successful department could sustain and that the preferred route was to encourage such staff to become functional researchers.

.2 The PVC (R) reported on the University's success in being awarded two highly competitive EPSRC Advanced Fellowships.

.3 Research grants and contracts awarded for the first 6 months of the year totalled £14.7M, which compared well with last year's total of £24.8M, and 284 applications for research grants and contracts totalling £29M had been submitted during that 6-month period.

SEN02-P2

.1 Student Recruitment 2002

The Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Teaching) reported that the increase in UK/EU undergraduate applications for 2002 entry was in the mid-range when compared with pre-1992 universities. The University would need to become more responsive in future to shifts in student demand. In view of pressures on Hall accommodation and the increase in international students, it was possible that concessions would not be sought in departments not reaching their UK/EU quota for 2002, and quotas going forward to 2003 might be revised. The profile of mathematics qualifications was expected to have worsened for the 2002 undergraduate intake and it was hoped that the development of a Mathematics Learning and Teaching Support Centre would help to address this. The slow attrition of UK/EU PGT applications continued, with a compensatory trend in international applications. An uplift in the non-pay budget for Student Recruitment and Admissions would allow more recruitment effort on the India market and also the enhancement of web-based applications. It was requested that the UK/EU PGR application data be clarified to indicate the relevant application period.

ACTION: PVC(R)

.2 The University had been awarded 267 Additional Student Numbers for 2002/03, representing just over 90% of the original bid.

.3 An initiative had been launched through the Programme Development and Quality Team to provide support to departments for the development and implementation of learning, teaching and assessment strategies. One department in each Faculty was piloting the initiative.

.4 A full-time Widening Participation Officer was now in post and working with departments to develop strategies to justify the University's widening participation funding.

.1 Further to Minute 01/117 of Senate's 346th meeting on 29 November 2001, it was noted that the 'if necessary' meeting of Senate on 30 January 2002 had not taken place, but that members had reviewed Faculty and Support Service Strategies on 13 February 2002.

SEN02-P3

.2 A report of Senate's Strategic Planning Conference on 13 February 2002 was received. Senate was informed that the Strategic Plan was being formatted as previously. Authors had been asked to identify impacts of their areas on other parts of the plan to ensure better alignment of the interlocking nature of ambitions.

SEN02-P4

On the recommendation of Learning and Teaching Committee, on the advice of Curriculum Sub-Committee, it was RESOLVED to recommend to Council as appropriate:

(i) New Programme for introduction in the 2001/02 session (April 2002):

LPC in Continuing Professional Development

(ii) New Programmes for introduction in the 2002/03 session:

MSc Social Research (Social Science)

BSc, DIS Quantum Information and Computation

MDes, MA/MSc Industrial Design with Secondary Subject

(iii) New awards for 2002/03:

Award of Diploma in Professional Development (DPD) in the following programmes

BA Graphic Communication

BA Ceramics

BA Printed Textiles

BA Illustration

BSc Industrial Design and Packaging Technology

BSc Information Management and Computing

BSc Information Management and Business Studies

BA Publishing with English

MEng Systems Engineering

Award of Diploma in Professional Studies (DPS) in the following programmes:

BA Graphic Communication

BA Ceramics

BA Printed Textiles

BA Illustration

(iv) New Programme Title in 2001/02:

BA European Business to BA International Business for existing pre '99 cohorts

(From the 1999 cohort the programme had been entitled International Business)

(v) New Programme Titles in 2002/03:

BSc Geography and Leisure Management (currently Geography and Recreation Management) to BSc Geography and Sport and Leisure Management

(vi) New Programme Titles in 2003/04:

PE and Sports Science	to	Sport and Exercise Sciences
PE, Sports Science and Recreation Management	to	Sports Science with Management
PE, Sports Science and Physics	to	Sports Science and Physics
Geography and PE and Sports Science	to	Geography and Sports Science
PE, Sports Science and Social Science	to	Sports Science and Social Science
Chemistry and PE and Sports Science	to	Chemistry and Sports Science
English and PE and Sports Science	to	English and Sports Science
PE, Sports Science and Mathematics	to	Sports Science and Mathematics

(vii) Discontinuation of the following programmes (last intake shown in brackets):

BA Information and Library Studies (October 1998)

BA Information and Publishing Studies (October 1998)

BA Library and Information Management (October 2000)

BSc Information and Computing (October 1998)

BSc Information and Management (October 1998)

BSc Logistics and Transport Management (October 2001)

BSc Retail Management (Automotive) (October 2001)

MBA Information and Library Management (no recruitment)

MSc Information Studies (October 2001)

MSc Mechanical and Electrical Project Management (October 2001)

On the recommendation of Learning and Teaching Committee: -

.1 Degree of Master of Design (MDes)

SEN02-P5

It was RESOLVED to approve the addition of the Degree of Master of Design (MDes) to the postgraduate degrees awarded by the University.

.2 Graduate Apprenticeships: Diploma in Professional Development

SEN02-P6

It was RESOLVED to approve the addition of the Diploma in Professional Development (Graduate Apprenticeship Pathway) to the Diplomas awarded by the University.

.3 Student Appeals Procedure

SEN02-P7

It was RESOLVED to approve amendments to the Student Appeals Procedure in the light of a report on the operation of the procedure since its implementation in June 2001.

.4 GRUA and ARUA

SEN02-P8

It was RESOLVED to approve amendments to GRUA (1999 and 2000) and ARUA (1999 and 2000) to address re-assessment issues.

On the recommendation of Ordinances and Regulations Committee: -

.1 GRUA and ARUA

SEN02-P9

It was RESOLVED to approve amendments to GRUA (1999 and 2000) and ARUA (1999 and 2000), with immediate effect.

.2 Regulation XIV: Student Appeals against Programme Board or Module Board Decisions

SEN02-P10

It was RESOLVED to approve amendments, with immediate effect.

.3 Regulation XI: Diploma in Industrial Studies and Diploma in Professional Studies

SEN02-P11

It was RESOLVED to approve amendments to include the award of Diploma in Professional Development (Graduate Apprenticeship pathway), with effect from 1 August 2002.

.4 Ordinance XXXIII: Diplomas and Certificates

SEN02-P12

It was RESOLVED to recommend to Council amendments to include the award of Diploma in Professional Development (Graduate Apprenticeship pathway),with effect from 1 August 2002.

.5 Regulation I: Library

SEN02-P13

It was RESOLVED to approve amendments with immediate effect.

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

SEN02-P14

It was RESOLVED to recommend to Council amendments to include the postgraduate award of Master of Design (MDes), with effect from 1 August 2002.

SEN02-P15

.1 It was RESOLVED to ratify the action of the Vice-Chancellor in recommending to Council the establishment of the Ford Prize at the request of the Wolfson School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering.

.2 It was RESOLVED to approve recommendations to Council, referred by Prizes Committee, on the establishment of prizes, altered conditions to an existing prize and the discontinuation of prizes.

On the recommendation of Student Services Committee:

SEN02-P16

Policy on Career Education, Information and Guidance

It was RESOLVED to approve a University policy and make a recommendation to Council.

SEN02-P17

.1 It was RESOLVED to recommend to Council a change of title for the Department of European Studies to the Department of European and International Studies, from 1 August 2002.

SEN02-P18

.2 It was RESOLVED to recommend to Council a change of title for the Department of PE, Sports Science and Recreation Management to the School of Sport and Exercise Sciences, from 1 August 2002.

SEN02-P19

Senate NOTED the University's response to the HEFCE Consultation Document.

SEN02-P20

Senate NOTED the University's response to the HEFCE Consultation Document.

SEN02-P21

Senate NOTED the establishment of a European Activities Group.

Senate NOTED that Council had approved a recommendation of the Equal Opportunities Committee that it cease to be a Council Committee and become a Sub-Committee of Human Resources Committee which was a joint committee of Senate and Council. The Equal Opportunities Sub-Committee would report to Senate on student-related issues and Human Resources Committee on staff issues.

The dates of degree congregations in 2002 and 2003 were NOTED as follows:

Summer 2002	Thursday, 11 July 2002
	Friday, 12 July 2002
	Monday, 15 July 2002
	Tuesday, 16 July 2002

Winter 2002	Monday, 16 December 2002

Summer 2003	Thursday, 10 July 2003
	Friday, 11 July 2003
	Monday, 14 July 2003
	Tuesday, 15 July 2003

Senate RECEIVED reports from the following committees:

.1 SEN02-P22 Research Committee of 7 February 2002

.2 SEN02-P23 Ordinances and Regulations Committee of 11 February 2002

.3 SEN02-P24 Learning and Teaching Committee of 14 February 2002

.4 SEN02-P25 Resources and Planning Committee of 25 January 2002

.5 SEN02-P26 Student Services Committee of 7 November 2001

.6 SEN02-P27 Prizes Committee of 31 January 2002

In regard to item 2 (iii) of the Student Services Committee report and the decision by that committee that the font Verdana 11 point be used in future for examination papers, a member informed Senate that though this font might be appropriate for Microsoft Word documents, it was not appropriate for examination papers with mathematical notations prepared in TeX or LaTex. Other members commented on reported readability problems from staff, dyslexic students and an External Examiner with examination papers prepared in Verdana 11 point. It was AGREED that this issue be re-opened for further discussion to involve Professor Griffiths and that Student Services Committee be informed of this decision.

ACTION: PVC(T)

Professor D J Wallace

Dr M Acar

Ms Y Alexander (ab)

Professor J L Alty

Professor C J Backhouse

Professor A N Baldwin (ab)
Professor M Bell
Professor S J H Biddle

Professor B A Buffham

Dr J E Bullard

Dr P M Carrillo
Mr P P Conway

Professor P Golding
Professor T J Gordon (ab)

Professor J B Griffiths
Dr H Gross (ab)
Professor N A Halliwell
Professor C Hanson
Mr J F Harper
Professor D Infield

Ms H Jenkinson
Professor R Kalawsky
Professor T Kavanagh

Professor M King
Dr J Leaman (ab)
Mr P G Lewis (ab)
Dr C M Linton
Professor R McCaffer

Professor T C Mills

Professor I C Morison
Mrs M D Morley (ab)
Dr A M Mumford
Dr P N Murgatroyd
Dr L R Mustoe
Dr A H Osbaldestin
Professor P C B Page (ab)
Professor K C Parsons
Professor A C Pugh (ab)
Mr R A Reed
Dr C D Rhodes
Professor P H Roberts
Dr S J Rothberg
Dr J F Rowland
Mr J S Smith
Professor M H Smith (ab)
Professor P R Smith
Mr J Staples
Professor R Summers (ab)
Dr G M Swallowe
Dr E Theodoraki
Professor R J Wakeman
Mr D R F Walker

Dr G D Wilcox
Professor J M Wilson
Professor B Woodward (ab)

In attendance:

Dr J E M Elliott

Dr J C Nutkins

Mr J M Town

Wednesday 26 June 2002 am

Author - Jennie Elliott

Date - March 2002