SENATE

 

SEN08-M5

 

Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of Senate on Wednesday 2 July 2008.

 

 

 

 

Memis Acar

Jo Aldridge (ab)

David Allen

Chris Backhouse

Anja Baumhoff

Morag Bell

David Berry (ab)

Jon Binner (ab)

Ed Brown

Sandra Dann

Simon Darvill (ab)

Ian Davidson

James Dearnley (ab)

Neil Dixon

Sophie Driscoll

Clive Edwards (ab)

Peter Golding

Keith Gregory

Neil Halliwell

Shirley Pearce

 

Jon Harper

Roger Haslam

Emma Herod (ab)

Elaine Hobby

Tony Hodgson

Ray Jones

Terry Kavanagh

David Kerr

Feo Kusmartsev

Chris Linton

Julian Mackenzie (ab)

Danny McNiece (ab)

Marsha Meskimmon

Mary Morley

Myra Nimmo (ab)

Charles Oppenheim

Rob Parkin

Ken Parsons

Eric Pentecost (ab)

 

 

Iain Phillips

Jonathan Potter (ab)

Gareth Pritchard

Ian Reid

Peter Render (ab)

Chris Rielly

Steve Rothberg

Dennis Smith (ab)

Gerry Swallowe (ab)

Tim Swift (ab)

Tony Thorpe (ab)

Rob Thring

David Twigg

Yiannis Vardaxoglou

Richard Wakeman (ab)

Kathryn Walsh

Peter Warwick

David Whalley

Dominic Wring

 

In attendance: Andrew Burgess (for minute 08/51), Fidelma Hannah (for minute 08/50), Anne Mumford (for minute 08/50.2), Jennifer Nutkins, Phil Richards (for minute 08/50.3), Will Spinks, Richard Stobart, Mark Webber.

                                               

Apologies for absence were received from: Jo Aldridge, Jon Binner, Clive Edwards, Danny McNiece, Myra Nimmo, Eric Pentecost, Jonathan Potter, Peter Render, Dennis Smith, Gerry Swallowe, Tim Swift, Tony Thorpe.

08/49  Minutes

 

It was RESOLVED to confirm and sign the Minutes of the Ordinary meeting held on 5 March 2008 (SEN08-M3).

 

08/50  “Loughborough University - Towards 2016”: Implementation Plans

                                               

SEN08-P38, SEN08-P39

50.1     Senate NOTED a summary progress report on implementation plan priorities for 2007/8 and the schedule of implementation plan priorities for 2008/09 including reports for Enterprise which were tabled at the meeting.

 

            SEN08-P40

50.2     Anne Mumford, Director of Media Services, introduced an initial draft of the Sustainability Implementation Plan. A range of successful sustainability-related initiatives had been developed across the University in recent years, often reliant on individual contributions. Co-ordination had been limited, however, and the aim now was to make a step change in activity and engagement with the issues across the campus. A post of Sustainability Officer, based in Estates, had recently been advertised. Senate noted that there was scope to build on the earlier work of the Sustainability Action Group and Anne Mumford would be in contact with those who had been involved. Benchmarking of the University’s current activity would involve looking at good practice identified by the HEFCE-funded Eco Campus project led by Nottingham Trent University. Senate members were invited to send any further comments to Anne Mumford. A final draft of the Plan would be submitted to Senate during 2008/09.

           

            SEN08-P41

50.3     Phil Richards, Director of IT, introduced the proposed Information Services Implementation Plan. Consultation with staff and students had taken place via a number of channels including scenarios illustrating the vision for IT and a number of focus groups. To achieve best value for money whilst maximising effectiveness it was helpful to distinguish between “Commodity IT”, where detailed requirements could readily be specified and could be met by a number of suppliers and “Complexity IT”, where requirements might be highly Loughborough specific and changed rapidly over time to meet operational requirements. Outsourcing of the latter was inadvisable and had led to serious difficulties at another leading University, whilst shared services or outsourcing of the former could represent good value with minimal risk to service users. Senate RESOLVED to recommend to Council that the Implementation Plan be approved.

 

08/51  Estates Strategy

 

Andrew Burgess, Director of Estates Services, presented the current Estate Strategy. The overall aims were to meet academic needs, improve the quality of buildings and maximise longer term opportunities for development.

 

(a)        The East Park Masterplan envisaged three stages of development within an overall structure designed to improve the layout and appearance of the area. The key development in Phase 1 (2008-11) would be the construction of a Design Centre to house Design & Technology and related groups from other departments, Phase 2 (2011-13) included demolition of some older buildings and the construction of HEBS 2, and further new build was envisaged in Phase 3 (2013-2016).

 

(b)        At Holywell Park, two key initiatives were under development. The Sport Park building was planned for sport National Governing Bodies (NGBs), many of which were already based at Loughborough. The Science and Enterprise Park was a long term project and a development partner was currently being sought.

 

(c)        Key issues in taking forward the strategy included: affordability, ageing buildings across the campus, car parking and infrastructure issues. A Master Plan Steering Group had been formed to integrate strategy and to advise Estates Management Committee and Operations Sub-Committee. This would take forward work on master planning for the Central and West Parks with a view to an overall revised strategy being presented in July 2009. Senate noted that the plans were exciting and ambitious and agreement of priorities and phasing would be critical.

 

(d)        Sustainability would be a key theme in line with University strategy and increasingly high standards were being set for new buildings. Improving existing buildings was the greatest challenge.

 

08/52  Internationalisation

            SEN08-P88 (tabled)

 

The Director of Internationalisation Strategy presented plans for 2008/09. Activities were planned under three broad themes:

 

(a)               Outgoing mobility – The Erasmus Co-ordinators group was being reorganised to create an International Mobility Team with increased central support. Departmental enthusiasm and tailoring of strategies was critical but opportunities to share good practice would be promoted. Monitoring would be enhanced through inclusion in the Statistics Handbook. Confidence in the staff of partner universities was key to success.

 

(b)               On campus experience – This would be taken forward via the International Advisory Group (IAG). Improving language learning opportunities was a key objective as well as cross cultural events and improving the employability of international students.

 

(c)               International Partnerships – Promoting the University globally via its reputation for sporting excellence remained a priority although there did not appear to be a network of prospective partners matching the University’s all round strength in the field. Strategic partnerships would be supported via country/region based groups and support was available for departmental initiatives. A number of recent initiatives were summarised. Raising Loughborough’s profile in the International League tables was a key objective. The metrics used were not easy to challenge or affect and aiming to influence those likely to be participating in the peer review aspects appeared to be the best strategy.

 

Professor Backhouse would be visiting staff meetings during the year to discuss the above activities. Senate noted its thanks for his contribution over the last year.

 

08/53  Committee Structure

                                               

            Senate RESOLVED to recommend proposals for the following to Council for approval:

 

SEN08-P42

53.1     Terms of Reference and Constitution of the Advancement Committee.

 

            SEN08-P43

53.2     New Title and Revised Terms of Reference and Constitution of the Student Services Committee.

 

53.3     SEN08-P44

The formal establishment of the Arts Committee as a committee of Senate.

 

SEN08-P45

53.4     Amendments to the Terms of Reference and/or Constitution of other Committees.

 

08/54  Undergraduate Reassessment

 

            SEN08-P46

The PVC(T) introduced proposals from Learning and Teaching Committee for amendments to Regulation XX governing undergraduate awards. The changes were intended to simplify the current complex rules relating to resit rights for the benefit of both staff and students. Extensive consultation had taken place with the Faculties and, although some reservations had been expressed, on balance all had been in favour. The changes had the potential to increase the number of resits and the figures would be monitored carefully. Resit fees would increase in 2008/09 and every effort would be made during implementation to discourage registration for more than the minimum number of resits the student required. Senate noted that the Engineering Faculty remained in favour of first attempt marks contributing to degree classifications. The matter could be revisited at a later date but currently the majority view remained that capped resit marks should be used. Senate RESOLVED to approve the proposals subject to close monitoring and review of the impact by Learning and Teaching Committee in the first instance.

 

08/55 Loughborough Students’ Union Constitution

 

            SEN08-P47 and SEN08-P47a (tabled)

The Chief Operating Officer introduced proposed revisions to the Loughborough Students’ Union constitution. From the University’s perspective, the key issues related to ensuring responsible use of the funds paid to the Union by the University, compliance with the 1994 Education Act, and good governance practice which required Senate and Council to review the constitution on a regular basis. The current revisions also aimed to address the requirements of the 2006 Charities Act which would become applicable to LSU later in 2008. A new Trustee Board with significant lay representation and a lay chair would become the sovereign body under the new constitution. The importance of Trustee training and awareness of responsibilities was noted and work was in progress with the Union to identify lay Board members. Minor revisions to the wording requested by Loughborough College were tabled and agreed. Senate RESOLVED to recommend the revised constitution to Council for approval.

 

08/56  Foundation Programmes

 

            SEN08-P48

Senate NOTED and welcomed an update on the proposed validation of the International Foundation Programme at Loughborough College. Senate further RESOLVED to approve a proposal in principle to award a University Certificate for the University’s Science and Engineering Foundation Programme (where the student did not remain at Loughborough for degree level studies) and, assuming validation was agreed, the International Foundation programme at Loughborough College.

 

08/57  Matters for Report by the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research)

 

SEN08-P49

57.1     The PVC(R) introduced a report on recent research outputs from members of staff.

 

SEN08-P50

57.2     Research Applications had increased and the benefits of involving the Research Office in the development of proposals at an early stage was stressed.

 

            SEN08-P51

57.3     New Research Grants and Contracts were lower than in 2006/07 and a final total of around £22m was expected for 2007/08. It was pleasing to note however, that overhead recovery had remained at about the same level in cash terms and that fourth quarter performance in 2007/08 was likely to be better than in the previous two years. The PVC(R) would be attending Directorates during the autumn term for further discussions. A survey of departmental support/mentoring arrangements for new research proposals had now been completed. Whilst there did not appear to be a simple correlation with success rates, a range of good practice had been identified and would shortly be disseminated to departments.

           

57.4     The University was not one of the 20 institutions chosen to participate in the Funding Councils’ pilot run for the new Research Excellence Framework. However, the Research Office would collect the relevant information so the University benefitted from the experience as if it had been selected for the pilot. Loughborough could still summit comments to HEFCE.

 

57.5     Departments were reminded that Personal Research Planning was still a routine part of research management and a deadline had been given to all for submission of plans to the Research Office. Research Performance Management Group would continue to monitor plans on a rigorous basis.

 

57.6     The Conference Support Fund had now been launched and the first successful applicants would be notified shortly. A further round of proposals would be invited in September.

 

08/58  Matters for Report by the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Teaching)

 

 

            SEN08-P52

58.1          Student Recruitment 2008/09 – The UK undergraduate recruitment position remained strong and targets should be met readily. However, there was some uncertainty around international recruitment and some applicants were slow to respond to offers. A number of actions were being taken in response centrally and departments’ ideas for increasing conversion this year and for future initiatives were very welcome. The reasons for the uncertainty were not clear but patterns based on subject were not immediately apparent. There was a decline in interest from Taiwan and it was possible that the global economic situation was having an impact as well as the easing of visa restrictions in the US.

 

            SEN08-P53

58.2     Institutional Audit – A summary of the findings from the draft report on the Institutional Audit 2008 was NOTED. Senate thanked all those involved in achieving such an excellent result for the University.

 

58.3     National Student Survey 2008 – A response rate of 79% had been achieved, the highest ever, placing Loughborough in the top 6. The results would be available towards the end of August. Senate thanked all involved and the work of the Students’ Union in encouraging students to respond was particularly commended. A summary of new developments over the summer would be made available to students on the University’s website for their return/arrival in the autumn.

 

08/59  Matters for Report by the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Enterprise)

                                               

            SEN08-P54

            Senate RECEIVED a report from the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Enterprise).

 

08/60  Matters for Report by the Vice-Chancellor

 

            SEN08-P55

60.1     Senate NOTED a report on recent Advancement activities.

 

60.2     Senate recorded its gratitude for the team effort involved in the University’s success in remaining 12th in the Times League Table. Results in the subject tables had been particularly good this year.

 

08/61  Programme Proposals

 

            SEN08-P56

On the recommendation of Learning and Teaching Committee, on the advice of Curriculum Sub-Committee, Senate RESOLVED to recommend to Council as appropriate:

 

61.1     New programmes (with effect from October 2008 unless stated):

            MSc Information Management and Business Technology

MSc Medical Management

PGCert Management and Leadership (The Sports and Play Construction Association) (with effect from January 2009)

MSc Globalization, Space and Sport (with effect from October 2009)

MSc/MA New Product Development

 

61.2     Award, title or major programme changes (with effect from September 2008 entry unless stated):

MA Performance and Multi-Media Texts (to be renamed MA Performance and Multi-Media)

MA Texts in Performance (to be renamed MA Drama)

MA Creative Writing

MA English

BSc Financial Mathematics

MSc Mathematical Processes in Finance

MSc/PGDip/PGCert Criminal Justice Research to MRes Criminal Justice Research, PGDip/PGCert Advanced Studies in Criminal Justice Research (October 2008 entry)

MEng Innovative Manufacturing Technology to MEng Innovative Manufacturing Engineering (with immediate effect)

MSc/PGDip/PGCert Management: Higher Education Administration to MSc/PGDip/PGCert Management and Leadership: Higher Education Administration (with immediate effect, previous approval for September 2007 entrants onwards to be extended to existing students)

 

61.3     Discontinuation of programmes (last intake shown in brackets):

MA Early-Modern Writing 1560-1780 (October 2007) (to be incorporated into MA English)

MA Modern and Contemporary Writing (October 2007) (to be incorporated into MA English)

 

08/62  Learning and Teaching Committee

 

            On the recommendation of Learning and Teaching Committee, Senate RESOLVED:                   

            SEN08-P57

62.1     Loughborough Employability Award

            To approve proposals for the introduction of a Loughborough Employability Award.

 

08/63  Change to Title of Department

 

            Senate RESOLVED to recommend to Council a change of title for the Institute of Polymer Technology and Materials Engineering to the Department of Materials, from 1 August 2008.

 

08/64  Guidelines on PhDs by Creative Writing

 

SEN08-P58

On the recommendation of Research Committee, Senate RESOLVED to approve amendments to the Guidelines on PhDs by Creative Writing.

 

08/65  Regulations for the Doctoral Training Centre in Regenerative Medicine

 

            SEN08-P59

On the recommendation of Research Committee, to approve proposed Regulations for the Doctoral Training Centre in Regenerative Medicine. (Senate has previously given its approval in principal - minute 08/29 refers).

 

08/66  Research Committee

 

            SEN08-P60

Senate RECEIVED a report from the meeting of Research Committee on 6 June 2008, and RESOLVED to approve revised Terms of Reference.

           

08/67  Amendments to Ordinances

 

Senate RESOLVED to recommend to Council the following amendments to Ordinances, in order to replace references to ‘Registrar’ with ‘Chief Operating Officer’:

 

            SEN08-P61

67.1     Ordinance XVII (Conduct and Discipline of Students).

 

            SEN08-P62

67.2     Ordinance XXVIII (Student Complaints).

 

08/68  Amendments to Regulation XVIII (Academic Misconduct)

 

            SEN08-P63

            Senate RESOLVED to approve amendments to Regulation XVIII on Academic Misconduct.

 

SECTION C – Items for Information

 

08/69  Membership of Senate 2008-09

 

            SEN08-P64

            Senate NOTED the membership of Senate for 2008-09, so far determined.

 

08/70  Ethical Advisory Committee

 

            SEN08-P65

            Senate RECEIVED the annual report of the Ethical Advisory Committee.

08/71  Careers Centre Advisory Board Annual Report

 

Senate NOTED the publication of the Careers Centre Advisory Board Annual Report for 2006-07.           

 

08/72  Student Appeals against Programme Board or Review Board Decisions: Report for 2007

 

            SEN08-P66

            Senate RECEIVED a report on the operation of the Regulation XIV appeals procedure in 2007.

 

08/73  Graduation Ceremonies 2008

 

            Senate NOTED the dates of Graduation Ceremonies in 2008:

 

            Summer:         Thursday 17 July 2008 (am and pm)

                                    Friday 18 July 2008 (am and pm)

                                    Monday 21 July 2008 (am and pm)

                                    Tuesday 21 July 2008 (am only)

 

            Winter:                        Monday 15 December 2008 (am and pm)

 

08/74  Reports from Committees

 

            Senate RECEIVED reports from the following Committees:

 

74.1     SEN08-P67     Costing and Pricing Committee of 20 February, and 14 April 2008.  

74.2     SEN08-P68     Enterprise Board of 10 April, and 10 June 2008.

74.3     SEN08-P69     Estates Management Committee of 6 March, and 8 May 2008.

74.4     SEN08-P70     Learning and Teaching Committee of 14 February, and 5 June 2008.  

74.5     SEN08-P71     Performance Monitoring Group of 5 December 2007, and 11 March 2008.

74.6     SEN08-P72     Prizes Committee of 10 March 20008.

74.7     SEN08-P73     Research Performance Monitoring Group of 4 March, 29 April, and 11

June 2008.

74.8     SEN08-P74     Student Discipline Committee of 6 March, and 10 June 2008.

74.9     SEN08-P75     Student Services Committee of 30 April 2008.

 

08/75  Dates of Meetings in 2008-09

 

            Wednesday 19 November 2008, 9.15am

            Wednesday 28 January 2009, 9.15am (if necessary)

            Wednesday 4 March 2009, 9.15am

            Wednesday 1 July 2009, 9.15am

 

08/76  Any Other Business – Staff Survey

                                               

            Senate NOTED that the response rate in the Survey currently stood at 56% and there was still time to approach the top HEI response rate recorded of around 61%.

 

08/77  Valedictory

 

            Senate thanked Professor Dave Allen, Professor Rob Thring, Professor Richard Wakemen, Dr Keith Gregory and Dr Memis Acar together with Danny McNiece and Sophie Driscoll for their valued contributions to Senate.

Author – Jennifer Nutkins

Date – 21 July 2008

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