.1 Student Recruitment

.2 QAA Institutional Audit

Regulations for Higher Degrees by Research

The Committee’s recommendations appear under Minute 03/44.1(i).

SENATE

SEN03-M3

Minutes of the 358th (Ordinary) Meeting of Senate held on Wednesday 5 March 2003.

Apologies for Absence were received from Ms Alexander, Dr Beaverstock, Professor Kalawsky, Dr Kinna, Professor Pugh, Dr Rhodes, Dr Theodoraki and Professor Wakeman.

The Vice-Chancellor welcomed the student Faculty representatives to their first meeting.

03/29 Business of the Agenda

Item 14 had been unstarred.

03/30 Minutes

It was RESOLVED to confirm the Minutes of the 356^th Meeting held on 29 January 2003 (SEN03-M1).

03/31 Matters Arising from the Minutes

.1 Minute 03/2 – Holywell Park (Advantica Site)

The Deputy Vice-Chancellor reported that the Advantica site was to be known as Holywell Park. The three buildings on the site would shortly also be named. The completion date for the purchase was imminent. Space on the site had been oversubscribed but this was being addressed primarily by the Dean of Engineering.

.2 Minute 03/6 - Loughborough University at Peterborough

The Vice-Chancellor reported that Peterborough Regional College and Stamford College wished to withdraw from all validation arrangements with the University at the end of the academic year. Loughborough University at Peterborough would remain open during 2003/04, but the BSc Business Studies was likely to be completed in 2004/05 with the assistance of PRC. The University was working to ensure the support of students and staff at Peterborough during the transitional period and the Director of Registry Services was thanked for co-ordinating the arrangements.

.3 Minute 03/8 – Code of Practice on Mental Health

The Director of Registry Services reported that the definition of some mental health problems in Table 1 of the Code had been produced for the lay person as part of a national project undertaken with medical advice. The issue of a Code for staff was under consideration.

03/32 Matters for Report by the Vice-Chancellor

The Vice-Chancellor reported on:

.1 The Queen’s Anniversary Prize to the School of Sport and Exercise Sciences and the Sports Development Centre, for which all involved were to be congratulated. Loughborough was one of only three universities which had received four Queen’s Anniversary Prizes.

.2 The HEFCE grant letter was expected that day. Summary information would be provided to Senate when available. The University was likely to benefit by about £0.75M from QR funding, but with the removal of funding to Grade 3a departments and reduced funding to Grade 4 departments the remaining benefit was expected to be £0.25M. The University was in a pressured middle ranking in terms of research. All departments would need to focus on delivering metrics and encouraging international excellence.

ACTION: Vice-Chancellor

03/33 Matters for Report by the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research)

SEN03-P7

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

.1 New Research Grants and Contracts

Halfway through the year the University was on course for £25M in research grants and contracts and income appeared to be stabilising at this level.

.2 Research Grants and Contracts applications

£42M of applications were currently submitted and the Science Faculty had shown strong increases in both the number and value of applications, contributing to the successful development of the applications culture. The Research Office was developing its analysis of success rates and income forecasting.

.3 The Science Research Investment Fund.

The University’s indicative allocation from the fund was £10.5M. £3.8M would be allocated to Holywell Park with the remaining £6.7M available for Faculties to bid, to renew infrastructure. Applications to HEFCE on how the University intended to use the funds would be submitted by 30 May 2003. This level of funding placed the University 22nd amongst HEFCE institutions which was a significant achievement given its size and lack of a medical school.

.4 The Community of Science database.

The University had subscribed to the database, which would match individuals’ research profiles with new funding opportunities. This was an excellent marketing opportunity and, though participation was optional, staff were urged to update the profiles which the Research Office had initiated for them.

ACTION: Heads of Department

.5 The Development Fund Scheme

This scheme for additional UK/EU research students was to be continued. The focus on using the funds to confirm early support for additional students was emphasised but the scheme was not intended to replace external support.

ACTION: Deans/Heads of Department

03/34 Matters for Report (Teaching)

SEN03-P8

Business Planning Targets had now largely been agreed with Heads of Department.

Mr Jones reported that the significant upward trend in international postgraduate taught applications was being maintained. The figures presented showed a fall in UK/EU applications for postgraduate taught programmes, but it was to be noted that last year’s data was at a date 2 weeks later than this year’s. International recruitment was dominated by China, but attention was now being given to the potential markets of India and America. Financial problems faced by international students were acknowledged as an increasing trend and methods of handling this were being explored. The Vice-Chancellor commented on the importance of realising the opportunity of increased international student applications, and planning properly to mitigate the financial organisational risks.

UK/EU undergraduate applications were 9% down on last year, but Route B LUSAD applications were still being received and the new early clearing process was about to start from which departments could take advantage. Heads of Department were asked to check Admission Tutors’ awareness of the new clearing process.

ACTION: Heads of Department

Mr Jones reported that though the decrease in UK/EU undergraduate applications was unwelcome, the figures had oscillated over the last few years. Declines this year were in many cases in departments which had achieved dramatic gains in recent years, out of step with the national position, sometimes through a new programme ahead of the trend which attracted a new market. He expressed his concern that the number of undergraduate programmes was effectively reducing and suggested that some repackaging of programmes could prove an effective and economical strategy for attracting applicants. Programme flexibility and student choice was an important issue. Members were supportive of his intention to commission HEIST to undertake a research project targeting year 12 students to explore their perception of the University. The Schools Liaison programme was also being reviewed. The Vice-Chancellor requested that any reasons for increases (and decreases) in applications due to changes in departmental practice should be identified and best practice disseminated to all departments.

ACTION: HEJ

In response to a comment that Business Planning Targets were not as dynamic as actual admissions, Senate was informed that the targets were intended to be realistic estimates to feed into the budgetary planning process as soon as possible. International targets were not intended to be limits. A strategic shift in emphasis towards postgraduate taught recruitment in some departments was noted. The projection problem for departments in relation to student population and load might need further work and improved communication. It was suggested that applications per place might prove an interesting additional metric. Clarification was requested as to whether Admissions Tutors should be aiming for higher numbers than their targets in order to meet intake numbers in December following early withdrawals.

ACTION: Director of Registry Services

The Director of Registry Services reported that the University’s Institutional Audit by QAA would take place in March 2004. It would be important for the University to demonstrate good QA practices and the revised Annual and Periodic Programme Review process would be important in this. Developmental engagements during the QAA’s transitional period before the new institutional audits started would be taking place in Chemistry and Computer Science during March and May 2003 respectively.

03/35 White Paper on the Future of Higher Education

SEN03-P8 (a)

Further to Minute 03/3.2 of Senate’s 356^th meeting on 29 January 2003, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor presented a late paper updating Senate on the University’s preparations for its response to the White Paper. It was acknowledged that it was not yet possible to determine which elements of the White Paper were negotiable and which were non-negotiable. Uncertainty was even greater beyond 2006. Members commented that the opportunity should be taken to influence the implementation of the White Paper in such areas as Centres of Excellence and research funding, and to engage in explicit political dialogue.

Collaboration was a key issue but one which was challenging to address. There was no intention that the University’s mission should change but significant refocusing and reshaping would be required. The University would be making a concise response to the consultation focusing on a limited number of key issues and Loughborough’s strengths for the future.

Senate was advised that, in order to secure enhanced QR funding for the future, research would need to be of international quality at a sufficient scale. Whilst some elements of international involvement were within the control of individual academics (e.g. conference attendance, PhD students, PhD examiners from overseas), Heads of Department would need to work to forge alliances which would prove useful when funding opportunities arose.

ACTION: Heads of Department

It was noted that LSU would be making its own response to the White Paper and would keep the Deputy Vice-Chancellor informed.

ACTION: LSU

03/36 Validation Policy and Procedures

SEN03-P9

.1 On the recommendation of Learning and Teaching Committee, Senate considered the adoption of two additional precepts for the University’s validation activities and a related recommendation. Senate was advised that the proposals were being considered in an unstable context, and could be influenced by the White Paper proposals. It was clarified that the scholarship in which staff in partner institutions should be engaged referred to keeping up to date in the subject rather than original research. It was RESOLVED to approve the proposals.

.2 It was AGREED that development of a similar policy in relation to research degree programmes and research collaborations should be explored.

ACTION: Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research)

03/37 Admissions Policy

SEN03-P10

.1 On the recommendation of Learning and Teaching Committee, it was RESOLVED to approve a University Admissions Policy, subject to the following amendments:

(i) Paragraph 21: Amendment of final clause to accord with current practice.

(ii) Paragraph 22 (i) to read: ‘normally have a good first degree….’

(iii) Paragraph 23 to read: ‘offers will normally only be made…’

It was AGREED that the document be revised accordingly and circulated to Senate.

ACTION: Director of Registry Services

.2 It was AGREED that the possibility of research students being registered on the 1^st of each month be explored.

ACTION: Director of Registry Services

03/38 Saturday Examinations

SEN03-P11

.1 Senate considered the continued use of Saturday mornings for examinations in the light of Learning and Teaching Committee’s comments on possible ways forward. The LSU Vice-President reported that to avoid Saturday examinations LSU Council had backed the option to extend examinations into Week 15 for Semester 1, and the option to accept that more students would have two examinations on the same day for Semester 2. It was RESOLVED to approve these options to take immediate effect. Departments currently using Semester 1 Week 15 for learning activities were advised to inform the Examinations Office of this in good time so that their requirements could inform the examination timetable.

.2 It was AGREED that the longer term issues identified in the paper be forwarded to the Working Party on the Structure of the Academic Year for consideration.

ACTION: Director of Registry Services

03/39 Improving Standards in Postgraduate Research Degree Programmes

SEN03-P12

Senate received a consultation paper from HEFCE on Improving Standards in Postgraduate Research Degree Programmes, and the comments of Faculty Boards thereon.
Senate was supportive of the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research)’s view that the University should not necessarily seek to conform in all aspects of the proposed standards if its current procedures were felt to be defensible, such as the Supervisor/Director of Research structure. It was commented that the proposal did not take into account full-time and part-time students, for example, in relation to the load on supervisors. Attention was drawn to the scheme under development by the AD(R)s of Science and Engineering for the introduction of PhD progression boards. The PVC(R) would be making a formal response on behalf of the University.

ACTION: PVC(R)

03/40 Physics Review

SEN03-P13

Senate received the report of the Physics Review Group. On the recommendation of the Science Faculty Board, it was RESOLVED to recommend to Council, with effect from 1 August 2003:

· The dissolution of the School of Mathematics and Physics

· The re-establishment of the separate departments of Mathematical Sciences and Physics.

It was noted that the other recommendations within the report would be considered by Operations Sub-Committee.

03/41 Programme Proposals

SEN03-P14

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 2003/04 session:

BSc Applied Design (Product Performance and Safety)

MEng Innovative Manufacturing Technology

MSc Digital Communication Systems (partial DL Version)

MSc Globalization and World Cities

MSc Globalization, Development and Difference

MSc Financial Globalization

(ii) Major programme changes from the 2003/04 session:

BA International Business

BSc Mathematics

(iii) Discontinuation of the following programme (last intake shown in brackets):

MBA Sport and Leisure Management (September 1999)

(Further details were available on request from the Secretary)

03/42 Learning and Teaching Committee

On the recommendation of Learning and Teaching Committee: -

External Examiners’ Reports

SEN03-P15

.1 Senate considered revised procedures for handling reports from External Examiners/ External Programme Assessors. It was suggested that the absence of the Dean and

Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Teaching) within the procedure could signal to the external world that the reports were not considered important. Senate was assured that the External Examiners’ reports would continue to be addressed to the Vice-Chancellor, that Deans were content for AD(T)s to be concerned with the reports rather than themselves and that the AD(T)s would alert the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Teaching) to any matters as necessary.

.2 A member expressed concern at the Faculty Secretary screening reports for issues of consideration and action, feeling this to be a task that should be undertaken by a senior academic. Senate was assured that the Faculty Secretary would be given criteria to work to and should also be able to identify positive ‘sound bites’ within reports for use in promotional material, as could the Head of Department. Senate supported the Faculty Secretary taking on the screening role rather than the AD(T) by 18 votes to 11.

It was RESOLVED to approve the proposals.

03/43 Ordinances and Regulations Committee

On the recommendation of Ordinances and Regulations Committee:

SEN03-P16

It was RESOLVED to approve amendments in regard to the following with immediate effect:

(i) Appeals

(ii) Regulations for the Degree of Doctor of Engineering

Professor D J Wallace

Dr M Acar

Ms Y Alexander (ab)
Mr D J Allen
Professor J L Alty

Professor C J Anumba
Professor C J Backhouse

Dr J V Beaverstock (ab)
Professor M Bell
Professor S J H Biddle

Professor W R Bowman

Professor I C Davidson
Mr M Gallagher
Mr S Gibson
Professor P Golding
Professor T J Gordon

Professor J B Griffiths
Professor N A Halliwell
Mr J F Harper
Mr R Holman
Miss G Jackson
Professor R Kalawsky (ab)
Professor T Kavanagh

Dr D Kerr
Dr R Kinna (ab)
Dr J Leaman
Mr P G Lewis

Mr W P Maunder

Professor T C Mills
Mrs M D Morley
Mr G Murdock
Dr P N Murgatroyd
Professor P C B Page (ab)
Professor K C Parsons
Professor J M Porter
Professor A C Pugh (ab)

Dr P Render
Dr C D Rhodes (ab)
Professor P H Roberts

Dr S J Rothberg
Dr J F Rowland
Professor P R Smith
Professor R Summers
Dr G M Swallowe
Dr E Theodoraki (ab)
Professor A Thorpe
Professor R J Wakeman (ab)
Miss J Wassall
Dr G D Wilcox
Professor J M Wilson
Professor N Wood
Professor B Woodward

In attendance:

Dr J E M Elliott

Mr H E Jones (for Minute 03/34)

Dr J C Nutkins

03/44 Research Committee

On the recommendation of Research Committee: -

.1 Doctor of Engineering (EngD)

SEN03-P17

(i) It was RESOLVED to approve amendments to the Regulations for the Degree of Doctor of Engineering within the Regulations for Higher Degrees by Research, with immediate effect.

(ii) It was RESOLVED to approve additions to the Notes for the Guidance of Research Students, Directors of Research, Supervisors and Examiners in regard to the following, with immediate effect:

Guidance to Examiners for the Degree of Doctor of Engineering

Presentation of Submission for the Degree of Doctor of Engineering

.2 Emeritus Professors as Internal Examiners

SEN03-P18

It was RESOLVED to approve an addition to the Notes for the Guidance of Research Students, Directors of Research, Supervisors and Examiners, with immediate effect.

03/45 Prizes Committee

SEN03-P19

.1 On the recommendation of Prizes Committee, it was RESOLVED to recommend to Council the establishment of prizes, altered conditions to existing prizes and the discontinuation of prizes.

SEN03-P20

.2 On the recommendation of the Chair of Prizes Committee, it was RESOLVED to recommend to Council the establishment of a prize and the discontinuation of a prize.

03/46 Ethical Advisory Committee

SEN03-P21

.1 It was RESOLVED to approve revised Terms of Reference for the Ethical Advisory Committee.

SEN03-P22

.2 It was RESOLVED to approve Terms of Reference for the Ethical Advisory Sub-Committee.

03/47 Joint Research Degree

SEN03-P23

On the recommendation of the Science Faculty Board, it was RESOLVED to approve proposals for a joint research degree with Shandong University in the Department of Mathematical Sciences.

03/48 LUSAD Further Education Academic Year

It was RESOLVED to approve the following dates for the 2003/04 Academic Year for Further Education programmes in LUSAD:

Monday 8 September 2003 – Friday 12 December 2003

Monday 5 January 2004 – Friday 2 April 2004

Monday 19 April 2004 – Friday 4 June 2004

03/49 Reports from Committees

Senate received reports from the following committees:

.1 SEN03-P24 Research Committee of 6 February 2003

.2 SEN03-P25 Ordinances and Regulations Committee of 7 February 2003

.3 SEN03-P26 Learning and Teaching Committee of 13 February 2003

.4 SEN03-P27 Resources and Planning Committee of 31 January 2003

.5 SEN03-P28 Prizes Committee of 4 February 2003

03/50 Date of Next Meeting

Wednesday 25 June 2003 at 09.15 am

Author – Jennie Elliott