SENATE
SEN06-M7
Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of
Senate on Wednesday 28 June 2006.
Shirley
Pearce
Memis Acar Clive
Edwards Mario
Minichiello (ab)
Serpil Acar John
Feather Mary
Morley
David Allen
(ab) Maurice
Fitzgerald (ab) Ken
Parsons
Chris
Backhouse David
Gillingwater (ab) Ian
Reid
Morag
David Berry
(ab) Keith
Gregory Steve
Rothberg
Matt Best
(ab) Neil
Halliwell Fytton
Rowland
Stuart
Biddle Roger
Haslam Gab
Stone
Jon Binner
(ab) Tony
Hodgson Tony
Thorpe (ab)
Russell
Bowman (ab) Sarah Holloway (ab) Rob Thring
Ed Brown
(ab) Terry
Kavanagh (ab) Yiannis
Vardaxoglou
Paul Chung Steven
Kenny Richard
Wakeman (ab)
Sandra Dann
(ab) Feo
Kusmartsev (ab) Peter
Warwick
Ian
Davidson Mark
Lansdale (ab) Tony
Westaway (ab)
Lesley
Davis Jeremy
Leaman (ab) Tom
Weyman-Jones (ab)
Becky Dicks Chris
Linton Nigel
Wood (ab)
Helen Drake
(ab) Geoff
Mason Bryan
Woodward (ab)
Marsha
Meskimmon Martha Wőrshing
In
attendance: Chris
Dunbobbin
Jennifer
Nutkins
Apologies
for absence were received from: David Allen, David Berry, Jon Binner, Russell
Bowman, Ed Brown, Sandie Dann, Helen Drake, Maurice FitzGerald, David
Gillingwater, Sarah Holloway, Terry Kavanagh, Feo Kusmartsev, Jeremy Leaman,
Mario Minichiello, Tony Thorpe, John Town, Richard Wakeman, Tony Westaway, Tom
Weyman-Jones, Bryan Woodward.
The
Vice-Chancellor thanked retiring members for their contribution to Senate and
congratulated the retiring student members on the achievements of LSU during
the year. The retirement of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor Phil Roberts,
was noted in particular. Full recognition of his contribution would be made at
a farewell reception on Wednesday 26 July 2006 in the University Dining Suite,
to which all Senate members were invited.
06/54 Business of the
Agenda
Item 17
had been unstarred.
06/55 Minutes
It was
resolved to confirm and sign:
(a) The Minutes of the
Ordinary meeting held on 1 March 2006 (SEN06-M3), subject to amendment of
minute 06/23 to confirm that Professor McCaffer was acting only as a consultant
and was not part of the management of BUE.
(b) The Minutes of the Ordinary meeting held
on 5 May 2006 (SEN06-M5).
06/56 Matters Arising
from the Minutes
56.1
Minute 05/103.4 Future demands on any additional
income
SEN06-P71
Senate received an analysis of
staffing changes between 1999 and 2005. The paper contained some explanations as
to why the balance between the numbers of academic-related and academic staff
had changed in recent years, and as a means of contributing to the
understanding of this phenomenon, it was welcomed. It was noted, however, that information
on changes in student numbers might also be instructive in this context, and it
was agreed that this would be included in future updates.
06/57 Validation of new Foundation Degree programmes at
SEN06-P34
On the recommendation of Learning
and Teaching Committee, Senate RESOLVED to
approve the validation of new Foundation
Degree programmes in Sports Coaching, and Sports Performance (Motorsport) at
06/58 Matters
for Report by the Director of Business Partnerships, Innovation and Knowledge
Transfer
SEN06-P35
Senate received a report from the
Director of Business Partnerships, Innovation and Knowledge Transfer.
06/59 Matters for Report by the Pro-Vice-Chancellor
(Teaching)
SEN06-P36
59.1 Student
Recruitment
Applications had fallen in 2006
after a significant rise in 2005, but conversion rates had held up well. Possible
reasons for the fall in the current year included a decline in the popularity
of some of the subjects offered by the University, and a larger than average
fall in the number of applications to institutions in the
59.2 National
Student Survey
The University’s response
rate to the 2006 National Student Survey (NSS) had been 70%, down slightly on
the previous year’s figure of 75%, but well above the national average of
56%. Thanks were offered to Becky Dicks for her energetic work in promoting the
survey. The results would be announced later in the Summer.
59.3 Teaching Quality
Enhancement Fund proposals
Initial proposals had been submitted in response to the
allocation by HEFCE of £380K per annum for three years for enhancing the
quality of learning and teaching. Further consultation on the detail of Loughborough’s
submission would take place in due course and HEFCE had been advised that
priorities might change in light of the new strategic plan.
59.4
The University had now signed a
Memorandum of Understanding with BUE. Loughborough had been asked to validate
nine of BUE’s undergraduate programmes in 2006-07, and work was underway
to agree a validation timetable and to cost the proposals. In the meantime,
there had been agreement on the wording relating to Loughborough on BUE’s
web-site, and discussions were ongoing in relation to BUE’s use of the
06/60 Matters for Report by the Pro-Vice-Chancellor
(Research)
SEN06-P37
60.1 New Research
Grants and Contracts
Income from new research grants and contracts stood at
almost £27M after 9 months of 2005-06, and was on track to reach a final total
of around £31-32M. The composition of this total remained lumpy, however, and the
figures for the respective Faculties were dominated by large awards to
Aeronautical and Automotive Engineering, ESRI, and the
SEN06-P38
60.2 Research Grants
and Contracts Applications
The value of research grant and
contract applications was increasing at a similar rate as in previous years, up
to £74M after 9 months of 2005-06. This total was high for the number of
applications submitted (491), and reflected the inclusion of full economic
costing. The overall success rate for applications was good, at around 33%.
60.3 RAE 2008
Despite recent press speculation,
the RAE 2008 would go ahead as planned. However, on 13 June 2006, the
government had begun consulting on proposals to introduce a metrics-based
research assessment and funding system for STEM subjects to replace the RAE
after 2008. Institutions had until 13 October 2006 to respond, and members were
encouraged to submit feedback on the proposals to their AD(R) initially, as a first
step in drafting Loughborough’s submission.
06/61 Matters for
Report by the Vice-Chancellor
61.1 League Tables
The Vice-Chancellor noted that
Loughborough had been ranked 6th in The Times Top Universities
Guide, and expressed her gratitude to all staff
for their part in this achievement. Further analysis would be undertaken to help
fully understand the reasons for the University’s improved performance.
61.2 Strategic
Planning Away Day
The
Vice-Chancellor thanked all of those who had contributed to the recent
Strategic Planning Away Day. Initial reactions indicated that participants
found the day very useful. A high level strategic plan for the University,
supported by more detailed appendices for each area, would be produced and feedback
from the various working groups held on the day would be fed into the drafting process.
61.3 Industrial Action
The
Vice-Chancellor thanked all within the University, including Heads of
Department, AUT representatives, and members of the LSU Executive, for their
help in managing a difficult situation, and ensuring that the action had been
less disruptive at Loughborough than at some other institutions.
61.4 1994 Group
The
Vice-Chancellor reported that following a review of its membership, the 1994
Group had invited Loughborough (along with Leicester University, Queen Mary University of London, and the School
of Oriental and African Studies) to join. This was an important development which would provide new
opportunities for Loughborough to collaborate with other research-intensive universities within
the
61.5 National Teaching
Fellowship
The
Vice-Chancellor congratulated John Dickens on being awarded a National Teaching
Fellowship, worth £10,000.
06/62 Programme Proposals
SEN06-P39
On the recommendation of Learning
and Teaching Committee, on the advice of Curriculum Sub-Committee, it was
RESOLVED to recommend to Council as appropriate:
62.1 New programmes for
introduction in the 2006-07 session
MSc Strategic Automotive Dealership
Management (
MRes Sustainability in the Built Environment and
PGDip/PGCert Advanced Studies in Sustainability in the Built Environment
BSc Publishing with E-Business
MA Creative Writing
MSc Chemistry and Information
Technology
MA/MSc/MDes Industrial Design / User-centred Product Design
/ Sustainable Product Design / Virtual Product Design
MSc Sustainable Transport and Travel Planning (Part-time
programme for introduction in 2006-07 session, full-time programme for
introduction in 2007-08 session).
PGCE/PGDip/MSc in Education with Qualified Teacher Status in
Design and Technology / Science / Physical Education
New Route PhD in Computer Science
(PGDip Integrated Research Studies)
PGCert Healthcare Fire Safety
Management
EngD Systems Engineering (including
MSc Systems Engineering exit award)
62.2 New programmes for
introduction in the 2007-08 session
BA 3D Design: New Practice
MSc Advanced Chemical Engineering with Information
Technology and Management
MSc Business Analysis and Management
MSc Mechanical Engineering
62.3 Award, Title or Major Programme Changes
from the 2006-07 session
BEng/MEng Materials Engineering / BEng/MEng Automotive
Materials / BEng Materials with Management Studies / BSc Applied Design
(Product Performance and Safety) (major changes)
MSc/PGDip/PGCert Ergonomics (Human Factors) / Ergonomics for
Health Professionals / Human Factors in Transport / Human Factors for Inclusive
Design (major changes)
MSc Multimedia and Internet Computing / Information
Technology / Internet Computing and Network Security (major changes)
MSc Economics and Finance / Financial Economics /
International Finance and Economics / Monetary Economics (major changes)
MSc/PGDip/PGCert
Social Science Research (Social Sciences) to
MRes Social Sciences Research and PGDip/PGCert Advanced Studies in Social
Sciences Research.
62.4 Discontinuation of the following
programmes (last intake shown in brackets)
BA
Ceramics (October 2006)
BA
Furniture (October 2006)
BA
Silversmithing and Jewellery (October 2006)
BEng/MEng
Computer Systems Engineering (October 2005)
(Note: the above proposal includes the continuation of the BEng/MEng
Electronic and Computer Systems Engineering programme formally discontinued in
2002).
MSc Forensic
Ergonomics (October 2005)
MSc
Transatlantic Relations (October 2005)
MSc
International Relations of the European Union (October 2005)
MSc
Policy-Making in the European Union (October 2005)
MSc
Globalization and
MSc
Globalization, Development and Difference (N/A)
06/63 Regulation XVIII: Academic Misconduct –
Report for 2004-05
SEN06-P40
Senate received a report on the operation of Regulation XVIII in
2004-05 and the comments of Learning and Teaching Committee thereon, and on the
recommendation of Learning and Teaching Committee, RESOLVED to approve an
amendment to paragraph 28 to broaden the penalty powers of the Academic
Misconduct Committee by empowering it to cap reassessment marks.
06/64 Learning and Teaching Committee
On the recommendation of
the Learning and Teaching Committee, it was RESOLVED:
SEN06-P41
64.1 Revalidation of existing programmes at
To approve the extension of the validation of
the Foundation Degrees in Sports Science and Sports Science with Sports Management
for a further period to 31 July 2011 and the extension of the validation of the
BSc Honours programme in Applied Sports Science to the same date.
SEN06-P42
64.2 LU/Nanyang
To approve the revalidation of the programme in Graphic
Communication for a further two years, until the end of academic year 2008/09.
SEN06-P43
64.3 Student Committees in
Departments
To approve proposals on
Student Committees in Departments.
06/65 Guidelines for practice-based PhDs
SEN06-P44
On the recommendation of Research Committee, it was RESOLVED
to approve guidelines for practice-based PhDs
06/66 Joint Research Degree Programmes
SEN06-P45
On the recommendation of Research
Committee, it was RESOLVED to approve the following policy:
Research degree programmes
supervised jointly with another University (or other body with research degree
awarding powers) may lead either:
a) To a joint award of the two
institutions where governance provisions make this feasible, or
b) To the award of a separate
degree from each institution
providing in all cases that the
academic requirements of both partners have been met by the candidate.
06/67 Student Complaints Procedures
SEN06-P46
Senate received a report on the
operation of the Student Complaints Procedures in 2005-06, including complaints
investigated by the Office of the Independent Adjudicator.
06/68
SEN06-P47
On the recommendation of the
Strategic Review Working Group, it was RESOLVED to approve draft terms of
reference and membership for a new joint Senate-Council Committee.
06/69 Review of the Effectiveness of Senate
SEN06-P48
Senate received an update from the
Working Group to review the effectiveness of Senate.
06/70 Amendment to Regulation VII
SEN06-P49
This item was unstarred to note concerns
expressed by a small number of academic staff that exam papers had been set without
the involvement of the Internal Examiner, and had referred to material
different to that taught during the relevant module.
The Vice-Chancellor noted that the
decision to amend Regulation VII had not been taken lightly. Rather it had been
a response to a difficult and serious situation during the industrial action,
and reflected the duty of the University’s Executive Management Group to
do all it could to minimise disruption to students. The amendment had been used
in relation to a very small number of papers and only after detailed
discussions to ensure that any differences between the paper set (in each case
it was a past paper), and the material taught, was minimal. It was noted
further that the amendment had been supported by the LSU Executive and that no
negative feedback had been received from the candidates involved. Finally, it
was emphasised that the amendment had been temporary, while the industrial
action affected the provision of examination papers, and that the Regulation
had therefore now reverted to its original form.
06/71 Repeal of Statute XXII Retirement and
Resignation of Members of Staff
SEN06-P50
Senate received formal
notification under paragraph 17(iii) of the Charter of proposals to repeal
Statute XXII on the Retirement and Resignation of Members of Staff.
06/72 Student Discipline Committee
SEN06-P51
Senate received a report from the
meeting of Student Discipline Committee on 16 June 2006, and on the
recommendation of Student Discipline Committee, RESOLVED to recommend to
Council an amendment to Statute XIV, in order to resolve a discrepancy between
Statute XIV and Ordinance XVII.
06/73 Regulations for Higher Degrees by Research
SEN06-P52
Senate approved amendments to the
Regulations for Higher Degrees by Research, and associated Notes for Guidance.
06/74 Student Services Committee
SEN06-P53
On the recommendation of Student
Services Committee, it was RESOLVED to recommend to Council revised Terms of
Reference and Membership of Student Services Committee.
06/75 Prizes Committee
SEN06-P54
On the recommendation of Prizes
Committee it was RESOLVED to approve the establishment of new prizes,
amendments to prizes, and the discontinuation of prizes.
06/76 Membership of Senate 2006-07
SEN06-P55
The membership of Senate
for 2006-07 so far determined was noted.
06/77 Ethical Advisory Committee
SEN06-P56
Senate received the
annual report of the Ethical Advisory Committee.
06/78 Careers Service Advisory Board Annual Report
The publication of the Careers
Service Advisory Board Annual Report for 2004-05 was noted. (The report was being circulated to Heads of
Department and further copies would be available for consultation in the
Careers Service and on the web).
06/79 Regulation XIV – Student Appeals against Programme Board or
Module Board Decisions: Report for 2005
SEN06-P57
Senate received a report on the operation of the
appeals procedure in 2005, and the comments of Learning and Teaching Committee
thereon.
06/80 QAA Institutional Audit
Senate noted that the QAA had
proposed that the next Institutional Audit take place in Spring 2008, and had not
agreed to a request from the University that it not take place until Spring
2009.
06/81 Graduation Ceremonies - 2006
Senate noted the dates
of Graduation Ceremonies in 2006:
Summer: Thursday 13 July 2006 (am
and pm)
Friday
14 July 2006 (am and pm)
Monday
17 July 2006 (am and pm)
Tuesday
18 July 2006 (am only)
Winter Monday 18 December 2006 (am and pm)
06/82 Reports from
Committees
Reports
from the following Committees were received:
82.1 SEN06-P58 Learning and
Teaching Committee of 8 June 2006.
82.2 SEN06-P59 Resources and
Planning Committee of 10 March and 2
June 2006.
82.3 SEN06-P60 Research
Committee of 23 March and 18 May 2006.
82.4 SEN06-P61 Student
Services Committee of 1 March 2006.
06/83 Date of
Meetings in 2006-07
Wednesday
25 October 2006 at 9.15am (if necessary)
Wednesday
22 November 2006 at 9.15am
Wednesday
31 January 2007 at 9.15am (if necessary)
Wednesday 7
March 2007 at 9.15am
Wednesday 4
July 2007 at 9.15am
Author: J C
Nutkins/C Dunbobbin
Date: 5 July
2006
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Loughborough University. All rights reserved.