SENATE

SEN08-M1

Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of Senate on Wednesday 30 January 2008.

Memis Acar Jo Aldridge (ab) David Allen Chris Backhouse Anja Baumhoff Morag Bell David Berry Jon Binner (ab) Ed Brown (ab) Paul Chung (ab) Sandra Dann Simon Darvill (ab) Ian Davidson (ab) James Dearnley (ab) Neil Dixon Sophie Driscoll Clive Edwards (ab) Peter Golding Keith Gregory (ab)

Shirley Pearce Neil Halliwell (ab) Jon Harper Roger Haslam Emma Herod (ab) Elaine Hobby Tony Hodgson (ab) Ray Jones (ab) Terry Kavanagh David Kerr Feo Kusmartsev Chris Linton Julian Mackenzie Danny McNiece (ab) Marsha Meskimmon (ab) Mary Morley Myra Nimmo (ab) Charles Oppenheim Rob Parkin Ken Parsons

Eric Pentecost (ab) Jonathan Potter Gareth Pritchard Ian Reid Peter Render Chris Rielly Steve Rothberg Dennis Smith Gerry Swallowe Tim Swift (ab) Tony Thorpe (ab) Rob Thring David Twigg Yiannis Vardaxoglou Richard Wakeman (ab) Peter Warwick (ab) David Whalley Peter Winter Dominic Wring

In attendance: Tim Bacon (for item 08/2), Chris Dunbobbin, Jennifer Nutkins, Iain Phillips, Will Spinks, Christina Zhang.

Apologies for absence were received from: Jo Aldridge, Jon Binner, Ed Brown, Paul Chung, Simon Darvill, Ian Davidson, James Dearnley, Clive Edwards, Keith Gregory, Neil Halliwell, Emma Herod, Tony Hodgson, Ray Jones, Marsha Meskimmon, Myra Nimmo, Eric Pentecost, Tim Swift, Tony Thorpe, Richard Wakeman, Peter Warwick.

The Vice-Chancellor thanked Paul Chung for his contribution to the University as Head of the Department of Computer Science, and welcomed Iain Phillips who was taking on that role from 1 February 2008.

08/1 Minutes

It was RESOLVED to confirm and sign the Minutes of the Ordinary meeting held on 21 November 2007.

08/2 Internationalisation Strategy

SEN08-P1

Senate RECEIVED a presentation on the University’s Internationalisation Strategy from Professor Chris Backhouse, Director of Internationalisation Strategy, and Christina Zhang, LSU International Development Officer. The following points were referred to in discussion:

(i) There was scope for the University to encourage more of its students to take part in the ERASMUS scheme (there were significantly more incoming, as opposed to outgoing exchange students). Members felt that perceived obstacles to participation could be addressed by ensuring that there were strong advocates amongst staff in departments, and by providing more flexibility in the provision of accommodation for those interested in single semester visits (it was noted that Accommodation Services was working on this), and of foreign language tuition (it was noted that timetabling constraints often made it difficult for students to pursue foreign language options). Shorter overseas visits during University vacation periods were suggested as an alternative means of providing experience of study abroad. It was felt that incoming ERASMUS students added a richness and diversity to the student population as a whole, and it was important to ensure that those with relatively limited English language skills were properly supported to prevent them becoming isolated. Offering small Summer research projects to international undergraduates could help to broaden their experience of living in the UK.

(ii) There was an overlap between the Internationalisation and Advancement strategies in that the more success Loughborough enjoyed in raising its international profile, the more likely it was that Alumni would be enthused about offering their support. It was noted further that international Alumni often played an important role in encouraging other students from their country of origin to study at Loughborough.

(iii) Whilst there was no wish to constrain individual activities, it was important to ensure that all overseas visits undertaken by University staff were co-ordinated at an institutional level, so that existing relationships were built upon.

(iv) It was important, prior to the signing of Memoranda of Understanding, to consider carefully what the agreement was intended to deliver, and whether an MoU was appropriate and/or necessary (bearing in mind that the existence of an MoU might be of greater importance to the partner than to Loughborough).

(v) There was felt to be great potential for the recruitment of PhD students from India, and it was noted that the provision of short internships could be an effective, and relatively economical means of attracting such students in the first instance.

(vi) In Europe, USA and Japan, it was likely that key partnerships would take the form of collaborations at discipline rather than institutional level. Members were therefore asked to consider those with whom their departments would wish to develop partnerships, and provide feedback to Professor Backhouse.

ACTION: ALL

The Vice Chancellor offered thanks on behalf of Senate for the presentation, and expressed particular gratitude to Christina Zhang for her work on Internationalisation, and her recent success in raising the profile of the University in China.

08/3 Science and Enterprise Park

SEN08-P2

Senate RECEIVED a presentation from the pro-Vice-Chancellor (Enterprise) on the strategy for the development of the Science and Enterprise Park. The following points were noted in discussion:

(i) Support was expressed for the proposal to build and operate the Park without recourse to University funds beyond the first building, so that such funds could be preserved for other activities on campus, particularly the development of the East Park.

(ii) It was possible that key milestones in relation to the development of the Park could be met ahead of schedule, but this would depend on the prevailing economic conditions, and on the University’s success in identifying appropriate external partners.

(iii) It was anticipated that the development of the Park would provide an opportunity to bring together a number of enterprise-related activities being pursued in various locations across the campus, thereby freeing up space for teaching and research.

(iv) The financial model for the Park was for it to be self-funding, with benefits for the University taking the form of new opportunities in a number of areas, including research contracts, student placements, sponsorship of research posts, provision of specialist facilities, continuing professional development, and scope for the development of a major new area of academic or research activity in line with the University’s Strategic Plan.

08/4 Matters for Report by the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Enterprise)

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Senate RECEIVED a report.

08/5 Matters for Report by the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Teaching)

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08/5.1 Data on student intakes and graduate employment

Senate RECEIVED a report from the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Teaching), and noted the following in particular:

(i) The University’s student intake performance for 2007-08 had been good. The target intake for UK/EU undergraduates had been exceeded, and HEFCE funding for additional student numbers had been secured.

(ii) A-Level entry requirements had increased steadily in the previous 5 years, and the University’s average offer was now >300 points.

(iii) HESA data showed that 95.4% of Loughborough’s 2005-06 graduates were employed, or engaged in further full-time study. This figure placed Loughborough in 3^rd place, out of 19, in the 1994 Group.

The Director of the Graduate School noted that the UK/EU postgraduate taught student intake had fallen in recent years, but that initiatives like the development of the Science and Enterprise Park, which promoted enterprise and employer-engagement, would be important in helping to reverse this trend.

Senate offered its thanks to all involved in the University’s student recruitment effort.

08/5.2 National Student Survey (NSS) 2008

The fourth NSS would begin in the week commencing 4 February 2008, and run for 6 weeks. The following points were noted:

(i) The University would again work hard with Loughborough Students’ Union (LSU) to promote the survey, and it was intended that LSU would again undertake “lecture shouts” at the end of finalist lectures. Departments were thanked in advance for their understanding in bearing these brief disruptions.

(ii) Academic Registry and LSU had produced a web-page linked to the survey, which provided helpful contextual information for students, and encouraged them to take part.

(iii) This year, students would be invited to respond to six additional questions on placement learning. The results would not be published, but it was felt that the responses would provide useful information. The questions would be at the end of the survey, and would be optional. It was not therefore anticipated that they would have any negative impact on response rates.

08/6 Matters for Report by the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research)

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Senate RECEIVED a report.

08/7 Matters for Report by the Vice-Chancellor

The Vice-Chancellor reported on the following:

(i) The University had won two prestigious 2007 Times Higher Awards, for Best Student Experience (it was the second successive year that Loughborough had won this title), and Outstanding Support for Overseas Students. Thanks were offered to all staff, across the institution, for their part in this success.

(ii) The British Olympic Association had chosen Aldershot as the location for Team GB’s Preparation Camp prior to the London 2012 Olympic Games. This was a disappointment, but it was noted that many members of Team GB would continue to be based at Loughborough in the years leading up to the Games. The University had entered into discussions with a number of projected top-5 medal winning teams, with a view to hosting one at Loughborough during the 2012 Games. It was likely that a decision would be reached later in 2008, after the Beijing Games.

08/8 Term Dates

SEN08-P6

Senate RESOLVED to approve term dates for the 2009-10 academic year.

08/9 English Language Entry Requirements – Postgraduate Research Students

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Senate RESOLVED to approve amendments to English language requirements for entry to postgraduate research programmes, for implementation with immediate effect.

08/10 Student Complaints Procedures

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Senate RECEIVED a report on the operation of the Student Complaints Procedures in 2006-07, including complaints investigated by the Office of the Independent Adjudicator.

08/11 Enterprise Board

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Senate RECEIVED the report from the meeting held on 18 December 2007, and RESOLVED to approve amendments to the Terms of Reference to include the Chief Operating Officer and External member from the Regional Development Agency or other Government body (minute EB07:3-2 and Annex A refer).

08/12 Heads of Departments: Appointment Procedures

SEN08-P10

This item was unstarred. Senate RESOLVED to approve an amendment to the terms of office for Heads of Departments, on the understanding that Human Resources Committee would review the associated guidance for appointments, to help ensure that the new arrangements did not have the effect of discouraging new applicants, particularly where the incumbent was established and performing well.

08/13 Purpose and Membership of Court

SEN08-P11

This item was unstarred. Senate NOTED its approval of the action of Council in endorsing a proposal to undertake a review of the purpose and membership of the University Court.

08/14 Reports from Committees

Senate RECEIVED reports from the following Committees:

08/14.1 SEN08-P12 Student Services Committee of 31 October 2007.

08/14.2 SEN08-P13 Performance Monitoring Group of 5 December 2007.

08/15 Dates of Future Meetings

Wednesday 5 March 2008, 9.15am

Wednesday 2 July 2008, 9.15am

Author: C Dunbobbin

Date: January 2008

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