SENATE
SEN05-M3
Minutes of the 376th (Ordinary) Meeting of Senate on Wednesday 29 June 2005.
|
Serpil Acar (ab) Morag Bell David Berry (ab) Matt Best Stuart Biddle Russell Bowman Paul Chung (ab) Sandra Dann Ian Davidson Lesley Davis (ab) Helen Drake (ab) John Feather (ab) |
David Wallace Maurice Fitzgerald David Gillingwater (ab) Neil Halliwell Roger Haslam (ab) Tony Hodgson (ab) Sarah Holloway (ab) Tom Hook (ab) Terry Kavanagh Feo Kusmartsev Mark Lansdale Jeremy Leaman (ab) Chris Linton Ruth Lister (ab) Geoff Mason Mario Minichiello (ab) Mary Morley |
Ken Parsons Colin Rhodes Fytton Rowland (ab) Jason Scott Peter Smith (ab) Rob Thring Tony Westaway Tom Weyman-Jones Nigel Wood (ab) Bryan Woodward (ab) Martha Wőrsching (ab) |
|
By invitation: In attendance: |
Jon Binner Keith Gregory (for Minute 05/54) Chris Dunbobbin Jennie Elliott Jennifer Nutkins John Town |
|
Apologies for
Absence were received from Chris Backhouse, David Berry, Ed Brown,
Paul Chung, Lesley
Davis, Helen Drake, John Feather, David Gillingwater, Roger Haslam, Sarah
Holloway (Maternity Leave), Ruth Lister, Mario Minichiello, Fytton Rowland,
Peter Smith, Tony Thorpe, Nigel Wood and Bryan Woodward.
05/45 Business of the Agenda
Item 16 and 27 had been unstarred.
05/46 Minutes
It was RESOLVED to confirm and sign the Minutes of the 374th
meeting held on 2 March 2005 (SEN05-M1).
05/47 Matters Arising from the Minutes
.1 Minute
05/03 – Matters Arising – Tuition Fees Strategy and Access Agreement
Senate
noted that the University’s Access Agreement had received formal approval from
the Office for Fair Access (OFFA).
.2 Minute
05/07 – Loughborough Experience Award
Senate noted that the Chair of Prizes Committee had approved the
criteria for the award.
.3 Minute
05/17 – Annual Report of the Student Discipline Committee 2003/04
Senate noted that the analysis of student offences would be discussed by
the Student Discipline Committee at its meeting on 5 July 2005.
05/48 Strategic Review Group
SEN05-P24
Senate received a report from the
Deputy-Vice-Chancellor. Senate was
informed that Charnwood Borough Council were currently exploring a number of
possible sites for a proposed
05/49
SEN05-P25
Senate considered a proposal for a
On the recommendation of the Science Faculty Board, it
was RESOLVED to recommend to Council the creation of a
05/50 Establishment
of
SEN05-P26
Senate considered proposals from
the Strategic Review Working Group for the establishment of a
The Deputy-Vice-Chancellor
reported that the proposals were the outcome of extensive discussion and
consultation. They provided an outline
only at this stage but an important first step for the institution. There was no intention to duplicate existing
support staffing and mechanisms in the University and it had been felt that the
best way of achieving this, particularly in relation to matters of Quality
Assurance, was by evolution under the leadership of the Director whose
appointment would be critical. The SSH
Faculty was keen for the
It was RESOLVED to approve and recommend to Council as appropriate:
·
The establishment of a
·
The arrangements for the appointment of the
Director of the
· Amendments to the membership of Research Committee as outlined in Annex C.
· Amendments to the membership of Learning and Teaching Committee as outlined in Annex C.
05/51 Establishment of Research Schools
SEN05-P27
Senate considered proposals from the Strategic Review Working Group for the establishment of the following Research Schools with effect from 1 September 2005 or the earliest practicable date thereafter:
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
The Deputy-Vice-Chancellor reported that the proposals were the outcome
of widespread discussion and had received wide support, including from the
incoming Vice-Chancellor. The four
proposed Research Schools were intended to add value to existing areas of
strength in which informal networks already existed. Effective dates for each would be dependent
upon the crucial appointment of the Directors.
There were no proposed changes to existing structures but the Research
Schools would provide co-ordination and greater momentum in those areas of
research. Examples of how such
structures could facilitate more effective collaboration with external partners
were discussed. In response to queries,
Senate was advised that monitoring of the Research Schools would take place via
the Research Performance Monitoring Group and was likely to evolve over time
but would aim to avoid bureaucracy. The
need to publicise the Research Schools widely both within and outside the
University was emphasised. The Research
Schools were likely to evolve; the Research School of Sustainability in
particular could have a much wider relevance across the campus than was
currently envisaged.
Some areas might not need the co-ordination of a
It was RESOLVED to make recommendations to Council for:
(i) the
establishment of the above four
1 September 2005 or the earliest practicable date thereafter
(ii) the
arrangements for the appointment of the Director of Research Schools as
outlined in Annex E of paper SEN05-P27.
05/52 Strategic Review: Review of Committees
SEN05-P28
Further to Minute 05/06 of Senate’s 374th meeting on 2 March
2005, Senate received an update on the review of Committees and RESOLVED to
approve recommendations or make recommendations to Council as appropriate in
regard to:
(i) Student Services
Committee
(ii) Human Resources
Committee
(iii) Terms of Reference of
Learning and Teaching Committee
(iv)
Discontinuation
of Ordinances and Regulations Committee
In regard to the proposal from Human Resources Committee that it be
delegated the authority to award Personal Titles, it was noted that Personal
Titles would in future be reported to Senate as an item of information. The Registrar was asked to confirm that no
changes were required to the Charter, Statutes or Ordinances as a result of the
proposed delegated authority.
ACTION: Registrar
It was noted that the view of Human Resources Committee that there was
no benefit in rectifying the anomaly resulting from its not reporting via
Resources and Planning Committee to Senate and Council had been based on the
Committee’s position as a joint committee of Senate and Council dealing with
critical Human Resource issues.
05/53 Changes in Academic Regulations
SEN05-P29
.1 Further to Minute 04/67 of Senate’s 368th meeting on 23 June 2004, Senate considered a summary of further proposals for the restructuring of Academic Regulations. (The proposed revised Regulations were included in a later item on the agenda.)
The Academic Registrar outlined the proposed main changes to the Regulations, which had been the subject of wide consultation and would result in streamlined and simplified Regulations. Chris Spendlove was thanked for his considerable effort in developing the proposals. Senate RESOLVED to approve the principles within paragraphs 1, 2(b), 2(c), 2(d), 2(e) and 3 of paper SEN05-P29.
.2 In regard to the proposal in paragraph 2(a) that only the mark achieved at the first attempt at a module would contribute to Part and Programme marks, Senate was informed that data for 2003/04 indicated that only 35 of approximately 3000 students would have received a lower class degree under the proposed new rule and this assumed no change in their behaviour or that of Programme Boards. As a consequence of the new rule, Programme Boards would be able to condone failed modules without resit. Senate’s view on the proposal was polarised. In support of the proposal views were expressed that it would help address the increasing resit culture and was fairer to students who passed modules at the first attempt. In opposition to the proposal views were expressed that the proposal was punitive and could affect the weaker or under-performing students and would result in a larger number of failures or pass degrees. The existence of a resit culture was also questioned. After much discussion, it was AGREED that a decision on this difficult issue be deferred for a year pending further analysis of the impact of the proposal on degree results on a departmental basis over more than one year. It was suggested that further consideration also be given to other possible ways of reducing the burden of the Special Assessment Period on staff and students. The proposed Regulations included under item 16 on the agenda would require revision in the light of Senate’s decision. Members were invited to send any further comments to the Academic Registrar.
ACTION: Academic Registrar
.3 In regard to the proposals in paragraph 2(c) on Sanctions for Failure to Participate, a member sought and was given reassurance that implementation of the proposals would be sensitive to the situation of students with particular health problems which prevented them from meeting specified deadlines. In regard to the proposal in paragraph 2(e) on Membership of Programme Boards, it was commented that the list of staff able to serve as independent Board members should be clearly defined to ensure that all eligible staff were included. It would be up to Departments whether they wished to change the independent Board member each year.
05/54 Use of 15-Credit Modules in Undergraduate Programmes
SEN05-P30
Further to Minute
04/66.2 of Senate’s 368th meeting on 23 June 2004, Senate considered
a report from the Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering on its
‘pilot’ year of operating undergraduate programmes with 15-credit modules, and
the minute of Learning and Teaching Committee thereon. Learning and Teaching Committee had resolved
to inform Senate that it was persuaded by the case for allowing the Department
of Electronic and Electrical Engineering to continue exceptionally to use
15-credit modules in its undergraduate programmes, and extend their use to Part
C. This had been on the basis that the
department’s programmes were in effect self-contained. The Committee had also recommended that
Senate reaffirm that the structure of the University’s undergraduate programmes
generally should continue to be based on the 10-credit module and multiples of
10. Keith Gregory, author of the
Department’s report, explained that the Department was not proposing the demise
of 10-credit modules, but was seeking the freedom to use 15-credit as well as
10/20-credit modules, for ease of teaching over the year and to permit
reasonable optional choice. Views aired
by members were that:
·
the view of students that
learning over the whole year was preferable was an important conclusion of the
report
·
if Senate was convinced
that 15-credit modules worked in certain situations such as self-containment
they should not be exceptional to one department
·
care was needed to avoid
a confusing modular system.
It was RESOLVED to
approve the recommendations of Learning and Teaching Committee as presented in
the final paragraph of the Committee’s minute.
Senate congratulated Keith Gregory on his recent award of Lecturer of
the Year by the Students’ Union.
05/55 Matters for Report by the Director of Business Partnerships, Innovation and Knowledge Transfer
SEN05-P31
Senate received a report from the Director of Business Partnerships,
Innovation and Knowledge Transfer.
Senate was advised that the first sentence of paragraph 1.4 of the
report would be better worded as:
‘emda have seconded a person to work half-time on developing a collaborative
agreement between the University and emda over the development of, especially
but not only, Holywell Park. This is
intended …..’
05/56 Matters for Report by the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research)
SEN05-P32
(i) New
Research Grants and Contracts
2005/06 was expected to be a record year for
new grants and contracts, with the total at 31 May being £35M. This included a £12M grant from the EPSRC
Grand Challenge Scheme. The increase in
awards to the Science Faculty and particularly Chemistry was pleasing.
SEN05-P33
(ii) Research
Grants and Contracts Applications
Applications as at 31 May totalled 522 for £63M, compared to 583 worth
£71M in the previous year. The success
rate in EPSRC applications had improved and was above the national average. A formal mechanism to review research
applications in departments had been pioneered by Jon Beaverstock in Geography
and was being adopted in some other departments. All departments were urged to use such an approach.
(iii) RAE
2008
In addition to the five Sub-Panel Chairs, the University had three
representatives as Sub-Panel members.
Consultation was imminent on the Panel Criteria and Working Methods,
which would be finalised in the Autumn.
Research plans should now be reviewed for this year, with the emphasis
on esteem. First drafts of statements on
environment and esteem would be sought next year allowing a further year for
these to be refined. It was suggested
that whilst esteem would be specific to discipline, best practice should be
sought across the University concerning environment. Steps were being taken to minimise the
bureaucracy relating to full economic costing.
The support of Research Office Staff in this was commended.
05/57 Matters for Report by the Pro-Vice-Chancellor
(Teaching)
SEN05-P34
(i) Student Recruitment
The Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Teaching) was confident that the UK/EU
undergraduate target would be met.
Though international undergraduate and UK/EU postgraduate taught
applications and offers were down, recruitment was expected to be close to
target. International taught
postgraduate recruitment was very uncertain.
Conversions were down and applicants from the countries from which an
increasing number of applications were coming had not converted well last
year. The importance of responsiveness
by departments in achieving conversions was emphasised. The reduction in conversion rate to first
choice for UK/EU undergraduates was likely to be a transitional sensitivity to
raised entry requirements in a number of departments across the University and
had been anticipated. This was not a
concern but would be monitored.
(ii) Additional Student Numbers
The University had submitted a bid to HEFCE for 80 additional students
over 2 years; 50 in Engineering, 20 in Science, and 10 for a programme for
engineers to improve employability. The
Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Teaching) emphasised that this was not intended to
increase the undergraduate population overall.
SEN05-P35
(iii) TQI and NSS Update
Senate noted development on the TQI website. In the recent National Student Survey 75% of
the University’s final-year students had responded and LSU were to be thanked
for their encouragement which had helped in achieving this. The results, and subsequently the
University’s comments, would be published on the TQI website in September. Departments might wish to produce their own
statements for promotional purposes. A
preview of the results would be received in July and Departments would be
alerted to this. The survey would be
repeated in 2006.
05/58 Matters for Report by the Vice-Chancellor
(i) League
Tables: The Guardian and The Times
The University’s position in the Guardian League Table had dropped from
24 in 2004 to 36 in 2005. This was not
surprising as the 2005 analysis had excluded TQA results, but the
Vice-Chancellor had raised with Universities UK the technical flaws in the
Guardian League Table methodology. In
The Times, the University’s position had dropped from 10 in 2004 to 14 in 2005. The reasons for this appeared to be a worsening
staff:student ratio and a drop in graduate employment. It was encouraging, however, that over half
of the University’s departments featured in The Times top 10. The Vice-Chancellor had instigated a study on
staff categories to understand why the University’s SSR appeared in the bottom
quartile, and the latest employment data showed some improvement. The Vice-Chancellor would approach
Universities UK with concerns over the recent trawl for information from admissions
tutors by the Sunday Times.
ACTION: Vice-Chancellor
(ii) Review
of order of Senate agenda items
It
was agreed that the new arrangement whereby Officers’ reports followed
substantive items on the Senate agenda worked well and should be continued.
(iii)
The
Vice-Chancellor drew attention to the celebration of the 40th anniversary of
the University's Charter in 2006 and the Centenary of the Loughborough
Technical Institute, its ancestor, in 2009.
A Working Group had been established led by the Director of External
Relations to determine the most appropriate ways to celebrate these
anniversaries.
(iv) The
Vice-Chancellor informed Senate of the very successful Z-card initiative which
had been started in the Engineering Faculty.
Cards were being provided on A-level Mathematics and Physics and GCSE
Mathematics and were proving extremely popular in schools, with for example
more than 450,000 of the GCSE cards requested this year. Andrew Cooney in the Engineering Faculty was
thanked for his work in this marketing success.
(v) The
Vice-Chancellor thanked the LSU President and his team for a very successful
year, the highlight being a record fundraising total by Loughborough Rag of
£0.5M gross for local and national charities.
05/59 Programme Proposals
SEN05-P36
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 2006/2007 session:
BSc/MComp (DPS) Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence
BSc (DIS/DPS) Chemistry and Information
Technology
BSc (DPS) Information Technology and
Mathematics
BSc (DIS,DIntS) Information Technology and
Physics
BSc (DPS) Financial Mathematics
BSc (DPS) Product Design and Technology
MSc Internet Computing and Network Security
MSc Citizenship, Identity and
Globalization
(ii) Title
or Award Changes
MA Security Management – change of award to MSc with effect from April
2006 entry but for all students who graduate as of July 2006
BSc (DIS/DPS) Quantum Information and
Computation – change of title to Information Networks and Physics, with effect
from October 2006 entry.
(iii) Discontinuation
of the following programmes (last intake shown in brackets):
MBA Engineering Management (October 2003)
Prof Dip/Cert Retail Automotive Management
(April 2003)
Prof Dip/Cert Automotive Retailing (November
2002)
PGCert Continuing Professional Development
(October 2002)
05/60 Ordinances and Regulations Committee
.1 In
accordance with the proposals included under Minute 05/53, on the recommendation
of Learning and Teaching Committee and Ordinances and Regulations Committee, it
was RESOLVED to approve the following revised/new Regulations, with effect from
3 October 2005 (though in some cases not applying to existing students) subject
to revision in relation to Senate’s comments in Minute 05/53:
SEN05-P37
(i) Conversion
of GRUA (2004) and ARUA (2004) to Regulation XX: Undergraduate Awards
SEN05-P38
(ii) Conversion
of GRMPA and ARMPA to Regulation XXI: Postgraduate Awards
SEN05-P39
(iii) Revisions
to Regulation IX: Registration, Attendance, Leave of Absence, Withdrawal and
Transfer
SEN05-P40
(iv) Revisions
to Regulation XVII: Impaired Performance and Project Extensions
SEN05-P41
(v) New
Regulation XXII: Taught Programme Internal and External Examiners and Review
and Programme Boards
A
member questioned the need for an External Programme Assessor to be physically
present at a Special Assessment Period Programme Board, as required by
paragraphs 13 and 14 of the proposed new Regulation XXII. This was not always practical and other forms
of communication with the External Programme Assessor had shown themselves to
be workable. It was, however, considered
crucial that the External Programme Assessor was able to contribute to
decisions and was not presented with a fait accompli. It was AGREED that the wording of Regulation
XXII be revised such that telephone/video conferencing be deemed as attendance
at the SAP Programme Board where attendance could not be waived by the Head of
Department under the provisions of paragraph 14 of Regulation XXII. The physical presence of the External
Programme Assessor would remain a normal requirement for the main final
Programme Boards in June.
.2 Consequent
on .1(v) above, and on the recommendation of Learning and Teaching Committee
and Ordinances and Regulations Committee, it was RESOLVED to recommend to
Council the following with effect from 28 October 2005:
SEN05-P42
Repeal
of Ordinance XIX: Assessment
.3 On
the recommendation of Residential Provision and Management Sub-Committee and
Ordinances and Regulations Committee it was RESOLVED:
SEN05-P43
Regulation
VIII: Residence of Undergraduate and Postgraduate Students in the University
To approve amendments with effect from 3 October 2005.
.4 On
the recommendation of Learning and Teaching Committee and Ordinances and
Regulations Committee it was RESOLVED:
SEN05-P44
(i) Regulation
XIV: Student Appeals against Programme Board or Module Board Decisions
To approve amendments with effect from 3
October 2005.
SEN05-P45
(ii) Regulation XVIII:
Academic Misconduct
To approve amendments
with effect from 3 October 2005.
.5 On
the recommendation of Ordinances and Regulations Committee it was RESOLVED:
SEN05-P46
(i) Regulation
XI: Diplomas in Industrial Studies, Professional Studies, International Studies
and Professional Development (Graduate Professional Development Award)
To approve amendments
with effect from 3 October 2005.
SEN05-P47
(ii) Ordinance XXXVIII: Student Complaints
Procedures
To recommend to Council
amendments with effect from 3 October 2005.
SEN05-P48
(iii) Ordinance III: Substantive Awards and
Honorary Degrees
To recommend to Council an amendment to para 1.2 with effect from 3
October 2005.
SEN05-P49
(iv) Ordinance XVII: Conduct and Discipline
of Students
To recommend to Council
amendments with effect from 3 October 2005.
SEN05-P50
(v) Ordinance XX: Standing Committees of
Senate
To recommend to Council the repeal of Ordinance XX, with effect from 28
October 2005.
.6 On
the recommendation of the Human Resources Working Group and Ordinances and
Regulations Committee, it was RESOLVED to recommend to Council:
SEN05-P51
Ordinance
VI: Appointment of Academic and certain Academic Related Staff
The following amendment to Ordinance VI, with effect from 19 July 2005,
to reduce the burden of chairing Selection Committees on the
Deputy-Vice-Chancellor, Bursar and Registrar:
Amend
second paragraph of 4(i) to read
‘The Senior Executive Manager with responsibility for the
section/department in which the appointment is based, or their nominee, who
shall be its Chair.’
.7 On
the recommendation of Research Committee and Ordinances and Regulations
Committee it was RESOLVED:
SEN05-P52
Regulations
for Higher Degrees by Research: Appeals
To
approve amendments with effect from 3 October 2005.
05/61 Learning and Teaching Committee
On the recommendation of Learning and Teaching Committee it was
RESOLVED:
SEN05-P53
(i) Year-long
Modules
To approve a proposal to remove the 80-credit restriction on year-long
modules for undergraduate programmes.
SEN05-P54
(ii) Six-month
Pre-sessional course
To approve a six-month pre-sessional course to operate
from February 2006.
SEN05-P55
(iii) Schemes
for allowing Programme Boards to move candidates out of rank order as defined
by their Programme Mark
To
approve a proposal that the current degree classification rules should continue
to apply across the institution.
SEN05-P56
(iv) Procedure
for handling External Examiners’ Reports
To approve revised
procedures.
SEN05-P57
(v) Criteria
for External Examiner Appointments
To approve proposed
criteria.
SEN05-P58
(vi) Employment
of Postgraduate Students for Teaching and Marking
To approve a Code of
Practice.
05/62 Research Committee
SEN05-P59
Notes for the Guidance of
Research Students, Directors of Research, Supervisors and Examiners
On the recommendation of Research Committee, it was RESOLVED to approve amendments to the Notes for Guidance with effect from 3 October 2005 in respect of the role expected from Examiners and Supervisors where corrections were required post-examination.
05/63 Prizes Committee
SEN05-P60
On the recommendation of the Chair of Prizes Committee, it was RESOLVED to recommend to Council the establishment of new prizes, amendments to prizes and the discontinuation of prizes.
05/64 Membership of Senate 2005/06
SEN05-P61
The
membership of Senate for 2005/06 so far determined was noted.
05/65 Ethical Advisory Committee
SEN05-P62
The
Annual Report of the Committee was received.
05/66 Careers Service Advisory Board Annual Report
The publication of the Careers Service
Advisory Board Annual Report for 2003/04 was noted. (The report was being circulated to Heads
of Departments and further copies would be available for consultation in the
Careers Service and on the web).
05/67 Teaching Prizes, Academic Practice Awards and
Mini-Projects
SEN05-P63
Awards made in the current session were
noted.
05/68 QAA Review of Foundation Degrees
FD
in Leisure Management at
FD in Sports Science with Sports
Management at
It was noted that the reviewers had expressed confidence in the standards
and achievement of students and in the quality of learning opportunities.
05/69 Graduation Ceremonies - 2005
The dates of graduation
ceremonies in 2005 were noted:
|
Summer |
Thursday 14 July
2005 (am and pm) |
|
Winter |
Monday 19
December 2005 (am and pm) |
|
|
|
|
Overseas Degree
Celebrations: |
|
|
|
28 August 2005 |
|
|
4 September 2005 |
05/70 Reports from Committees
Reports from the following committees were received:
*.1 SEN05-P64 Ordinances and Regulations Committee of 27 May 2005
*.2 SEN05-P65 Learning and Teaching Committee of 2 June
2005
*.3 SEN05-P66 Resources
and Planning Committee of 11 March & 3 June 2005
*.4 SEN05-P67 Research
Committee of 28 April 2005
*.5 SEN05-P68 Student
Services Committee of 2 March & 1 June 2005
05/71 Any Other Business: Office of the Independent Adjudicator
The Academic Registrar informed Senate that the Office of the Independent Adjudicator for Higher Education had become operative from January 2005 and had replaced the University Visitor as the final port of call for student complaints which had not been satisfied by a University’s internal complaints system. To date there had been four complaints to the OIA in relation to the University, two from the same student. The one OIA judgement received so far had been in favour of the student with the University required to pay £300 in compensation. In this case the student claimed that they had not been notified of changes to a programme before they arrived at the University. Departments were alerted to the importance of ensuring that all programme information on their websites was completely up to date. The Programme Development and Quality Team would be looking at any implications for the programme approval procedure. Senate and Council would in future receive an annual report on student complaints including cases taken to the OIA.
05/72 Dates of Meetings in 2005/06
Wednesday 26 October 2005 at 9.15am (if necessary)
Wednesday 23 November 2005 at 9.15am
Wednesday 25 January 2006 at 9.15am (if necessary)
Wednesday 1 March 2006 at 9.15am
Wednesday 28 June 2006 at 9.15am
Author – Jennie Elliott
Date – July 2005
Copyright © Loughborough University. All rights reserved.