SENATE

SEN02-M3

Minutes of the 350th (Ordinary) Meeting of Senate held on Wednesday 26 June 2002.

	Professor D J Wallace
Dr M Acar (ab) Ms Y Alexander Professor J L Alty (ab) Professor C J Backhouse Professor A N Baldwin Professor M Bell Professor S J H Biddle Professor B A Buffham Dr J E Bullard Dr P M Carrillo (ab) Mr P P Conway (ab) Professor P Golding Professor T J Gordon Professor J B Griffiths Dr H Gross Professor N A Halliwell Professor C Hanson Mr J F Harper Professor D Infield (ab) 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 Dr A M Mumford Dr P N Murgatroyd Dr L R Mustoe (ab) Dr A H Osbaldestin Professor P C B Page (ab) Professor K C Parsons Professor A C Pugh Mr R A Reed (ab) Dr C D Rhodes (ab) 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 Dr G M Swallowe Dr E Theodoraki Professor R J Wakeman (ab) Mr D R F Walker (ab) Dr G D Wilcox Professor J M Wilson Professor B Woodward
By Invitation:		Professor I R Davidson Professor J M Porter
In attendance:		Dr J E M Elliott Mrs F M Hannah (for Minute 02/44) Dr J C Nutkins Mr J M Town Mr T Wolff

Apologies for Absence were received from Dr Acar, Professor Alty, Dr Carrillo,
Professor Infield, Mr Lewis, Dr Mustoe, Mr Reed, Professor Wakeman and Mr Walker

02/39 Minutes

It was RESOLVED to confirm the Minutes of the 348^th Meeting held on 6 March 2002 (SEN02-M1).

02/40 Matters for Report by the Vice-Chancellor

The Vice-Chancellor reported on:

SEN02-P39

(i) The Centre of Engineering and Manufacturing Excellence (CEME), based in East London, which was a great opportunity for the Faculty of Engineering and for the University.

(ii) Recent league tables in The Financial Times and The Times which showed the University in 16^th and 14^th position respectively. This was a great achievement and all were to be congratulated.

(iii) The impending sale of the Advantica site adjacent to the campus. The University had looked at the premises, but was concerned about the high cost of property at this time. The purchaser would be known within 4 to 6 weeks.

02/41 Matters for Report by the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research)

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

(i) The implementation of the new research student administration and monitoring procedures approved by Senate in June 2001.

SEN02-P39 (a) (tabled)

(ii) New Research Grants and Contracts for the 10-month period to 31 May 2002, which totalled £25.7M compared with £24.8M for the 12-month period to 31 July 2001. This was good news but the distribution between departments was very uneven. Research applications to 30 May 2002 totalled almost £54M. Information Science and IPTME were to be congratulated in achieving at least two applications during the year per member of academic staff: this rate was a desirable target for the University as a whole.

02/42 Matters for Report by the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Teaching)

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

SEN02-P39(b) (tabled)

(i) Student recruitment 2002. It was expected that the undergraduate UK/EU institutional quota would be met, but there would be a shortfall for the Engineering Faculty and the other Faculties would be invited to over-recruit. UK/EU postgraduate taught recruitment was holding up well in a difficult national context. International undergraduate recruitment looked healthy and international postgraduate taught recruitment very buoyant. The PGCE looked likely to under-recruit once again. Some Hall rooms were being transferred from home to international student occupancy.

SEN02-P40

(ii) New QAA procedures as summarised in the paper. The University’s institutional audit had been scheduled for Spring 2004 and the University would be subject to up to two discipline-level engagements with the QAA in 2002-03: in priority order these would be Chemistry and Computer Science. The price of the ‘lighter’ QAA touch would be the need to sharpen internal review procedures.

(iii) The University was close to an agreement to move Loughborough University at Peterborough to the Peterborough Regional College site within the next two years.

02/43 Validation

.1 University Policy on Validation

SEN02-P41

Senate considered a discussion paper from the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Teaching) and Director of Registry Services on behalf of Learning and Teaching Committee, inviting Senate to debate the issues of principle underlying the University’s strategy in this area. During discussion the following views were expressed:

- In what way did the proposed relationships enhance the University’s standing as a research-led University?

- There was a wider dimension to be considered involving the development of strategic relationships with other organisations.

- The proposals provided a pragmatic approach to contributing to the Government’s widening participation targets without impacting on student numbers on campus.

- Student numbers would not be credited to the University in the case of most validated programmes, though the loss in widening participation numbers was likely to be a gain in terms of A-level entry grades in League Tables.

- Widening Participation was a wider issue involving changing the nature of the student intake and there were other widening participation activities underway not involving validation. Concern about validation should not be construed as absence of commitment to widening participation.

- Concern about the validation of subjects in which the University had no expertise, but understanding of the reassurance provided by external consultants and the difficulty of ‘cherry-picking’ when working to develop close relationships with a few partner institutions.

- The University’s Validation Panels were thorough in their duties. Proposals had been declined in the past. All teachers involved in validated programmes were approved by the University. Risks were avoided by the rigour of the validation process.

- The University should be involved more directly in the assessment of validated degrees to ensure maintenance of standards.

Senate AGREED to adopt the following criteria when considering the validation proposals before it:

· Whether the proposal contributed to widening participation in a way that could not otherwise be achieved.

· Whether the proposal jeopardised the University’s Strategic Plan.

The PVC(T) undertook to prepare a paper for Senate in the autumn term setting out revised policies and procedures for validation.

ACTION: PVC(T)

.2 It was RESOLVED to ratify the action of the Vice-Chancellor in nominating members to Validation Panels on behalf of Senate.

.3 Senate considered recommendations from Learning and Teaching Committee on the following:

(i) Loughborough College

SEN02-P42

· Foundation Degree in Sports Science and Sports Management

· Foundation Degrees in Hospitality Management, Leisure Management, and Tourism Management.

The Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Teaching) informed Senate that he had received assurance from the College that the conditions specified by the validation panel would be met.

(ii) New College Nottingham

SEN02-P43

· Third year (‘top up’) BA Honours programme in Service Sector Management

(iii) Peterborough Regional College

SEN02-P44

· Foundation Degree in Learning Support

· Third year BA Honours programme in Performing Arts (to be integrated with existing DipHE)

(iv) Markfield Institute of Higher Education

SEN02-P45

· MA in Islamic Studies

In response to a query, the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Teaching) informed Senate that he had been reassured during the validation visit of the Institute’s commitment to the concepts and principles of British academic study.

It was RESOLVED to approve proposals (i) to (iv) above, subject to the conditions presented in the papers. It was noted that the Markfield partnership did not have an explicit widening participation dimension but was supported on the basis of the opportunities for academic collaboration.

.4 Senate RESOLVED to approve a recommendation from Research Committee on the following:

Markfield Institute of Higher Education

SEN02-P46

Joint supervision of research degrees.

02/44 Draft Strategic Plan 2002 – 2007

SEN02-P47

Senate considered the revised draft Strategic Plan, noting that a new section on ‘Academic Context’ had been drafted following the consultative process. A member commented that the new section was not fully strategic or adequately analytical but was mostly descriptive, lacking vision on possible growth areas. It was agreed that there was little vision in the paragraphs, but Senate was cautioned that visionary statements needed to be tempered with realism. The Vice-Chancellor expressed concern at the statement for the Social Sciences and Humanities Faculty that ‘no significant increase in undergraduate numbers will be sought’ and the Dean agreed that this would be deleted. It was AGREED that the Deans provide extended paragraphs for their Faculties, encompassing as appropriate reference to individual research work with charitable organisations, and provide revised text to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor by the end of the following week for inclusion in the final draft to Council.

ACTION: Deans

It was suggested that the following be included within the Plan:

· the international dimension of the future shape of the University, particularly in the Learning and Teaching section.

· reference to the three Queen’s Anniversary Awards achieved by the University

02/45 Department of Systems Engineering
School of Aeronautical, Automotive and Systems Engineering

SEN02-P48

On the recommendation of the Engineering Faculty Board and Resources and Planning Committee, it was RESOLVED to make a recommendation to Council on proposals to establish the following with effect from 1 August 2002:

· the Department of Systems Engineering

· the School of Aeronautical, Automotive and Systems Engineering

02/46 Special Educational Needs and Disability Act (SENDA) 2001

SEN02-P49

.1 Senate considered proposals arising from the introduction of SENDA and its implications for learning and teaching, and the comments of Learning and Teaching Committee thereon. In regard to recommendation (i) from Learning and Teaching Committee that Senate be invited to determine whether areas of responsibility and their allocation should be uniform or left to departmental discretion against broad institutional guidelines, it was commented that:

· the Engineering Faculty had agreed to a single responsible person in each department together with a Faculty person. This would provide a good route to disseminate expertise already amassed in departments.

· The relevant Support Services should also have a responsible person.

· There were many academic issues involved which would require the responsible person to be an academic. Conversely an administrator might prove a better contact point for all staff. No one person could undertake the tasks involved, what was important was that the tasks were achieved and that responsibilities were clear.

· Awareness should be extended to all staff and Staff Development had a key role to play in this.

It was AGREED that there should be a single departmental disability co-ordinator who would normally be a member of academic staff. Where the Head of Department felt an administrative colleague was more appropriate, an explanation would need to be provided regarding how liaison with academic staff would operate. A more detailed job description for the co-ordinator role should be prepared before Heads of Departments were asked for nominations.

.2 Senate RESOLVED to approve the following further recommendations of Learning and Teaching Committee:

· The approach suggested involving an audit of provision in all departments in the course of 2002/03 against guidance provided by DANS.

· That the necessary guidance for the audit be produced as soon as possible, drawing on experience and expertise across campus, and on any assistance that could be provided by LTSNs and the generic LTSN centre.

· That the Guide for Academic Departments be revised as suggested and issued by DANS to all members of the academic staff.

· That the proposed approach be written into the Learning and Teaching Strategy.

02/47 Review of Disciplinary Procedures

SEN02-P50

.1 Senate considered recommendations from the Working Group on the Review of Disciplinary Procedures, and the comments of Estates Management Committee, Information Services Committee, Ordinances and Regulations Committee and Student Services Committee thereon. The Director of Registry Services outlined the changes to the existing system and advised Senate of proposed further revisions in the light of comments received, which included inter alia membership of the Student Discipline Committee. Members were supportive of the proposals, subject to consultation between the Director of Registry Services and the Head of the Department of Information Science concerning minor points of wording in Regulation I. The need to reinforce to students the University’s jurisdiction over their behaviour off campus was noted. The University’s powers in this respect would be highlighted in registration information for the forthcoming academic year.

.2 It was RESOLVED to approve matters relating to Regulations and recommend to Council matters relating to Ordinances as follows, with effect from 30 September 2002, subject to the revisions referred to in .1 above:

(i) Ordinance XVII: Discipline of Students

Revisions.

(ii) Ordinance XIV: Appeals

To repeal.

(iii) Regulation I: Library

Revisions.

(iv) Regulation XV: Use of University Computing Facilities

New Regulation.

(v) Ordinance XXIII: Traffic and Parking in the University

New Ordinance, together with a new Code of Conduct on Traffic and Parking to be the responsibility of Estates Management Committee and Senate.

(vi) Regulation VIII: Residence of Undergraduate and Postgraduate Students in the University

Revisions.

ACTION: Director of Registry Services

02/48 Academic Misconduct

SEN02-P51

On the recommendation of Learning and Teaching Committee, Senate considered amendments to the procedures concerning academic misconduct in ARUA, ARMPA and ARIS. It was proposed that the Heads of Department and an Academic Misconduct Committee would now handle cases of minor or major academic misconduct respectively, rather than the Programme Board. Head of Departments would have some discretion and cases of ‘sloppy scholarship’ where intention was not involved would not be regarded as an offence. Senate welcomed the clarification provided by the amended procedures and the guidance notes that would be provided, and acknowledged that the finer definition of major/minor would become clearer as case law gathered. It was RESOLVED to approve the amendments, with effect from 30 September 2002, subject to revision of paragraph 21 (ARUA/ARMPA) and paragraph 14 (ARIS) to delete ‘with the likelihood of obtaining for him/herself, or for another, an unfair advantage’ in the first sentence.

ACTION: Director of Registry Services

02/49 Programme Proposals

SEN02-P52

.1 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 Programmes for introduction in the 2002/03 session:

BSc Business Information Systems

MSc European and International Studies

MSc European Politics and Society

MA/MSc/LPD Information and Library Management

MSc in Renewable Energy

LPC Vehicle Safety Engineering

Professional Certificate in Management (BPIF)

(ii) New Programmes for introduction in the 2003/04 session:

BA, DPS, DIntS* European and International Studies

BA, DPS, DIntS* Politics with a Minor

BSc Criminology and Social Policy

*consequent upon Senate’s approval of the award of Diploma in

International Studies (minute 02/50)

(iii) New Awards for 2002/03:

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

BA Multi-Media Textiles

BA Furniture

BA Silversmithing and Jewellery

BA Woven Textiles

(iv) New arrangements for language teaching from the 2003/04 session.

(v) Major programme changes from the 2002/03 session:

MSc Criminology and Criminal Justice

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

BA Modern European Studies (October 2002)

BA French and German Studies (October 2001)

BA French and Politics (October 2001)

BA German and Politics (October 2001)

BA Politics with Economics (October 2002)

BA Politics with English (October 2002)

BA Politics with Geography (October 2002)

BA Politics with Communication & Media Studies/Social Policy /
Social Psychology/Sociology/Computing/French/German/Spanish (October 2002)

MEng Electronic and Electrical Engineering with French (no intake)

MEng Electronic and Electrical Engineering with German (no intake)

MA Contemporary European Studies (October 2001)

MSc Banking and Management (no intake)

MA/MSc Information and Library Studies (October 2001)

.2 Further to Minute 02/8(vi) of Senate’s 348^th meeting on 6 March 2002, on the recommendation of the Chairs of Learning and Teaching Committee and Curriculum Sub-Committee, it was RESOLVED to recommend to Council that the following changes in programme titles be brought forward to 2002/03, for new and existing students:

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

02/50 Learning and Teaching Committee

On the recommendation of Learning and Teaching Committee: -

Diploma in International Studies

SEN02-P53

It was RESOLVED to approve the introduction of the award of Diploma in International Studies, with effect from 1 August 2002.

02/51 Ordinances and Regulations Committee

On the recommendation of Ordinances and Regulations Committee, it was RESOLVED:

.1 Review of Disciplinary Procedures

The Committee’s recommendations appeared under item 11 on the agenda.

.2 ARUA, ARMPA and ARIS

The Committee’s recommendations appeared under item 12 on the agenda.

.3 Regulation XI: Diploma in Industrial Studies, Diploma in Professional Studies and Diploma in Professional Development (Graduate Apprenticeship Pathway)

SEN02-P54

To approve amendments, consequent in part to Senate’s approval of agenda item 14 (minute 02/50), with effect from 1 August 2002.

.4 Ordinance XXXIII: Diplomas and Certificates

SEN02-P55

To approve amendments to include the award of Diploma in International Studies, consequent in part to Senate’s approval of item 14 (minute 02/50), with effect from 1 August 2002, and to make a recommendation to Council.

.5 Code of Practice on Inclusive Language

SEN02-P56

To approve amendments to Regulations, and make recommendations to Council regarding Ordinances, to conform with the Code of Practice on Inclusive Language approved by Council on 19 April 2002, with immediate effect.

02/52 Research Committee

On the recommendation of Research Committee it was RESOLVED: -

(i) Split PhDs

SEN02-P57

To approve proposals for Split PhDs.

(ii) Conduct of Research Degree Examinations

SEN02-P58

To approve proposals.

02/53 Resources and Planning Committee

On the recommendation of Resources and Planning Committee, it was RESOLVED:

(i) to recommend to Council the establishment of the Research Performance Monitoring Group as a Sub-Committee of Resources and Planning Committee.

SEN02-P59 (included separate enclosure)

(ii) to recommend the following to Council:

Information Strategy

Information Systems Strategy

Information Technology Strategy

(The University’s Information Policy, previously approved by Council, was also appended for information)

02/54 Prizes Committee

.1 It was RESOLVED to ratify the action of the Vice-Chancellor in recommending to Council:

SEN02-P60

(i) the establishment, amendment and discontinuation of prizes at the request of the

Wolfson School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering.

SEN02-P61

(ii) the establishment of prizes at the request of the Department of Chemical Engineering.

SEN02-P62

.2 On the recommendation of the Chair of Prizes Committee, it was RESOLVED to recommend to Council the establishment of prizes at the request of the Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering.

02/55 Undergraduate Admissions: Recognition of Qualifications

SEN02-P63

It was RESOLVED to approve proposals from the Student Recruitment and Admissions Team.

02/56 Mathematics Education Centre

SEN02-P64

It was RESOLVED to recommend to Council the establishment of the Mathematics Education Centre with effect from 17 July 2002.

02/57 Research School of Ergonomics and Human Factors:
Research Institute

It was RESOLVED to recommend to Council that the Research Institute arising from the merger of HUSAT and ICE be entitled ‘Ergonomics and Safety Research Institute’, with effect from 17 July 2002.

02/58 Delegation of approval on behalf of Senate

It was RESOLVED to delegate to the Director of Registry Services approval on behalf of Senate in matters concerning academic arrangements relating to individual students, excluding the award of degrees, and matters relating to University prizes.

02/59 Ethical Advisory Committee

Senate received:

SEN02-P65

(i) The Annual Report of the Committee

SEN02-P66

(ii) Further to Minute 01/50 of Senate’s 342^nd meeting on 27 June 2001, an interim report of the review of the Ethical Advisory Committee.

02/60 Careers Service Advisory Board Annual Report

Senate noted the publication of the Careers Service Advisory Board Annual Report for 2000/01. (The report had been circulated to Head of Departments and further copies were available for consultation in the Careers Service).

02/61 Analysis of Degree Results

Senate noted that an analysis of Loughborough University Degrees awarded, covering the years 1997 to 2001, had been circulated to all departments for comment in the programme review process. Copies were available from the Secretary on request.

02/62 QAA Publications

Senate noted that the following documents had been recently published by the Quality Assurance Agency and available from the QAA web site:

http://www.qaa.ac.uk/crntwork/currentwork.htm

.1 External Review Process: Operational Description

.2 Handbook for Institutional Audit 2002-05

.3 Transitional Arrangements Document

02/63 Institutional Audit

Senate noted that the Quality Assurance Agency had proposed that the next institutional audit be held in ‘the Spring Term 2004’ and had indicated that the University would be eligible for up to two ‘discipline-level engagements’ with the QAA in 2002-03.

02/64 Degree Congregations in 2002

Further to Minute 18 of the meeting on 6 March 2002, Senate noted the following special degree congregations in 2002:

Special Honorary Degree Ceremony, 10 April 2002, Brighton

Special Degree Celebration, 26 September 2002, Peterborough

02/65 Reports from Committees

Senate received reports from the following committees:

*.1 SEN02-P67 Research Committee of 23 May 2002

*.2 SEN02-P68 Ordinances and Regulations Committee of 31 May 2002

*.3 SEN02-P69 Learning and Teaching Committee of 6 and 10 June 2002

*.4 SEN02-P70 Resources and Planning Committee of 8 March, 19 April, 7 June 2002

*.5 SEN02-P71 Student Services Committee of 6 March, 12 June 2002

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02/66 Valedictory

The Vice-Chancellor thanked the retiring LSU President and Vice-President for their service on Senate and congratulated them on LSU’s exemplary year.

02/67 Dates of Meetings in 2002/2003

Wednesday 23 October 2002 am (if necessary)

Wednesday 27 November 2002 am

Wednesday 29 January 2003 am (if necessary)

Wednesday 5 March 2003 am

Wednesday 25 June 2003 am

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Author – Jennie Elliott

Date – July 2002

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