SENATE
SEN08-M7
Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of
Senate on Wednesday 19 November 2008.
|
Jo
Aldridge (ab) Simon
Austin (ab) Chris
Backhouse (ab) Anja Baumhoff Morag
Bell David
Berry (ab) Jon
Binner Edwin
Bowden-Peters Ed Brown (ab) Sandra
Dann Ian
Davidson James
Dearnley (ab) Neil
Dixon (ab) Clive
Edwards Peter
Golding Neil
Halliwell Jon
Harper Roger
Haslam (ab) Oli
Hiscoe |
Shirley
Pearce Elaine
Hobby Tony
Hodgson Ray Jones
(ab) Terry
Kavanagh (ab) David
Kerr Feo
Kusmartsev Fiona
Levey Chris
Linton (ab) Julian
Mackenzie (ab) Danny
McNiece Marsha
Meskimmon (ab) Mary
Morley Charles
Oppenheim (ab) Rob
Parkin Ken
Parsons Chris
Peel Eric
Pentecost Iain
Phillips |
Jonathan
Potter Gareth
Pritchard (ab) Ian Reid Peter
Render (ab) Chris
Rielly Steve
Rothberg Dennis
Smith Richard
Stobart Gerry
Swallowe Tony
Thorpe David
Twigg Yiannis
Vardaxoglou Kathryn
Walsh Peter
Warwick Andrew
Watson Mark
Webber David
Whalley (ab) Dominic
Wring (ab) |
In
attendance: Chris Dunbobbin, Jennifer Nutkins, Will Spinks, Caroline Walker.
Apologies
for absence were received from: Jo Aldridge, Simon Austin, Dave Berry, Neil
Dixon, Roger Haslam, Ray Jones, Terry Kavanagh, Chris Linton, Julian Mackenzie,
Marsha Meskimmon, Charles Oppenheim, Peter Render, David Whalley, Dominic Wring.
The Vice-Chancellor welcomed the University’s new Director of
Finance, Caroline Walker, and others for whom it was their first meeting.
08/95 Minutes
It was
RESOLVED to confirm and sign the Minutes of the Ordinary meeting held on 2 July
2008 (SEN08-M5).
08/96 Powers and Functions of Senate
SEN08-P89
Senate NOTED the powers and
functions of Senate.
08/97 University
Strategy/Planning
SEN08-P90
.1 Senate received a final draft of the
Sustainability Implementation Plan. An earlier version had been considered by
Senate and Council in July 2008, and the comments made had been incorporated.
The Chief Operating Officer drew particular attention to the following:
(i)
Targets had been established for the reduction of the University’s
carbon footprint.
(ii)
A standard for new build on campus of BREEAM “very good” was
being recommended.
(iii)
Jo Anne Halsbury had been appointed as Sustainability Manager with effect
from the end of November 2008.
The following points were also
referred to in discussion:
(iv)
It was suggested that a reference to energy generation by the University
itself should be made in the plan. In this context, it was noted that plans were
in train to establish a 2 Megawatt wind turbine in the
(v)
It was acknowledged that there might be some inherent tension between the
strategy for internationalisation and sustainable operations. However, it was
unclear whether international travel made a significant contribution to the
University’s overall carbon footprint.
(vi)
The criteria used to measure the carbon footprint was a key
consideration, and the Strategic Group were taking advice on this, based on
existing conventions in the HE Sector and in the wider economy. It was considered
unlikely that staff and student travel to and from the campus would be included
in the definition but this would be checked.
(vii)
Data relating to seasonal differences in the University’s energy
usage was available and would be taken into consideration in working towards
reductions in energy usage.
Senate RESOLVED to recommend the Sustainability
Implementation Plan to Council for approval and the comments made would be
noted for future updating of the Plan.
.2 Senate NOTED that the Human Resources
Implementation Plan was under development, and a final draft for Senate
approval was expected to be submitted for the March 2009 meeting.
08/98 Staff Survey
SEN08-P139 (tabled)
Senate RECEIVED a report from the Dean of Engineering.
The response rate for the Staff Survey had been very good
(65%), and the University had scored above the HEI benchmark median in respect
of 98 of the 148 questions, including 23 top scores. Included in the highlights
were that 95% of respondents agreed that the University was a good place to
work, 98% were aware of diversity issues, and 71% felt that the current pace of
change was about right. However, within the context of a positive set of
results overall, five particular areas of concern had been identified: Managing
workload and reducing bureaucracy, supporting staff through change, improving
communication/cooperation, career development and progression, and health and
safety. It was intended that feedback sessions for all departments would
shortly be arranged to deliver scores, and to instigate two-way discussions of
local and institutional issues in order to “get behind” the raw
responses, and inform subsequent actions. An institutional level and local
level action plans would be developed in light of the results of the feedback
sessions.
Members welcomed the generally positive feedback from the
survey. It was considered important,
however, to examine those areas where results indicated that there was scope
for improvement; to listen carefully to the concerns raised by staff in
feedback sessions; and to deliver improvements wherever possible. The responses
to questions on health and safety were of particular concern, and immediate
actions would be taken in this area. The Vice-Chancellor encouraged all
members, and particularly Heads of Department, to consider their
responsibilities in relation to health and safety.
There was some discussion on how the results of the survey
would be disseminated. The Dean of Engineering noted that the preferred
approach was for the departmental feedback sessions to be the point at which
detailed information was provided to staff, so that it could be presented in
the correct context. There was a meeting of the Steering Group later on 19
November 2008, and further clarification on the dissemination process would be
provided thereafter.
08/99 Research Schools
SEN08-P91
Senate RECIEVED a summary, ahead of a later full report, of
the processes undertaken in conducting a review of the Research Schools. The
initial conclusion was that the Schools had been a success and that all should
continue. The following points were noted in discussion:
(i)
In
the longer term, the PCV(R) would review the performance of all of the Research
Schools on an annual basis, against a set of agreed Key Performance Indicators.
(ii)
The
Acting PVC(E) noted that the Research Schools had been very successful in
contributing to the University’s
08/100 Honorary Bachelor Degree Awards
SEN08-P92
Senate RESOLVED to recommend approval the following to
Council:
(i)
That
Honorary Bachelor degrees be offered to all former students who studied at the University’s
constituent Colleges, received a higher education qualification below the level
of a Bachelor degree, and completed their studies in or before 1979.
(ii)
That
certificates be issued in absentia; that family members be invited to accept
awards on behalf of deceased candidates or those too unwell to travel; and that
those whose DLCs were converted to Bachelor degrees under the former academic
arrangements also be awarded Honorary Bachelor degrees.
08/101 Matters for Report by the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research)
SEN08-P93
.1 RAE 2008
Results.
Senate received a timetable for
publication, in December 2008 by HEFCE, of the results of the 2008 RAE. Further
fine detail in relation to Research Office and University actions would follow,
and feedback, particularly from Heads of Department, on the proposed process was
invited. It was noted that HESA did not now intend to publish information on 18
December 2008 about the number of eligible staff in each RAE 2008 UoA and the proportion
of total student FTE contributed by FE students, as indicated on the timetable.
SEN08-P94
.2 Research
Outputs.
The PVC(R) presented a brief summary of some recently
completed research from across the University. Members were encouraged to alert
the PVC(R) to examples of research activity in their area, through their
AD(R)s.
SEN08-P95
.3 Research
Applications – Quarterly Analysis by Department.
Senate RECEIVED data on research
applications for the period 1 August 2007 – 31 July 2008. Compared to the
previous year, there had been a rise in the number of applications by 9%, and
in the total value of applications by 14%. This was welcomed, but it was noted that
the success rate of applications was of critical importance.
SEN08-P96
.4 New
Research Grants and Contracts.
Senate RECEIVED data on new
research grants and contracts for the period 1 August 2007 – 31 July
2008. Clarification was given that the figures presented showed the value of
all research grants received, even where some or all of the money was passed on
to other institutions.
.5 Other
Matters.
The PVC(R) noted that:
(i)
Funding
towards the cost of imago hospitality facilities remained available for staff
who wished to hold events to promote the outcomes of Loughborough-based
research activity. The deadline for applications was the end of November 2008.
(ii)
A
programme of Research Forums, which aimed to promote cross-departmental
collaboration, was ongoing. Forums on digital economy/digital society, and
disability, had been held in 2008, and a Forum on Visual Analysis was scheduled
for 9 December 2008. Those interested were encouraged to contact Angela
Crawford in the Research Office.
There was some discussion about the processes operated by
the Research Councils in considering initial grant applications, and it was
emphasised that it was critically important for applications to address all
aspects of the call to ensure that they were not filtered out at the first
stage. The PVC(R) noted that arrangements were being made for a number of the
University’s academic staff to receive a briefing from the ESRC on the
consideration of applications, and information gleaned from this would be
disseminated as appropriate. Loughborough was also participating actively in
staff exchange schemes initiated by the Research Councils.
08/102.Matters for Report by the
Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Teaching)
SEN08-P97
.1 Student Recruitment.
Senate RECEIVED a report on full-time undergraduate
and taught postgraduate recruitment outcomes for 2008-09. The following points
were highlighted:
(i)
The
target for undergraduate recruitment had been exceeded as noted in the paper. Senate
welcomed the proposed additional measures to ensure a more rigorous and
measured management of the sequence of decision-making on concessions, change
course offers and clearing activity during Confirmation Week.
(ii)
A
number of external factors including the global recession and the introduction
of tighter visa application processes had the potential to impact in an adverse
manner on international recruitment in 2009-10. Balanced against these, the
value of sterling against other currencies had fallen significantly in recent
weeks, and this had the potential to make study in the
The
following points were also noted in discussion:
(iii)
The
reference in the paper to difficulties in international PGT recruitment being a
‘sector wide trend’ disguised apparent variations in performance
between departments. It was important for the reasons behind these to be
considered.
(iv)
Population
count figures would shortly be released by the Planning Office, and these would
indicate whether the University was close to exceeding the 5% tolerance in
relation to its HEFCE grant for teaching.
SEN08-P98
.2 National Student Survey 2008.
For the fourth year, the University had achieved a
very good result. The PVC(T) and the Vice-Chancellor expressed their thanks to
Deans and Heads of Department for their commitment to the survey, and to the
Students’ Union for its work in encouraging students to participate. It
was noted in the context of individual departments, and the University as a
whole, that other institutions were taking the survey extremely seriously, and
were endeavouring to catch up. It was important, therefore, that the University
worked as hard as ever in the coming year. It was noted finally, that some
Loughborough departments were ranked against a greater number of competitor
departments across the sector, and it was therefore more challenging to achieve
a high ranking.
SEN08-P99
.3
Senate RESOLVED to approve the validation of the IFP, in
accordance with the report of the Validation Panel, on the understanding that
the IFP Project Group and the PVC(T) were satisfied that the outstanding
actions were being addressed, and subject to confirmation of their completion
in due course.
08/103 Matters for Report by the
Acting Pro-Vice-Chancellor (
SEN08-P100
Senate RECEIVED a report from the
PVC(E). It was noted that heading 2.5 should have referred to the Manufacturing
Technology Centre.
08/104 Matters for Report by the Vice-Chancellor
SEN08-P101
.1 Report of the first
meeting of Advancement
Committee held on 29 October 2008.
The Vice-Chancellor highlighted the role of the new Advancement
Committee in helping the University to co-ordinate advancement activity and
embed it across all Departments and Support Services. Two specific points from
the minutes were noted:
(i)
It
was important that advancement was integral to all Departmental Development
Plans during the 2008-09 planning process.
(ii)
The
co-ordination of departmental alumni events should involve close liaison with
the centralised services in the Development & Alumni Relations Office.
.2 Other Matters.
The Vice-Chancellor reported on the
following:
(i)
Thanks
were given to all who had contributed to the University’s success in being
named University of the Year in the Sunday Times University Guide 2008-09.
(ii)
Members
were reassured that senior management was giving serious consideration to the
existing national and global economic climate, and its likely impact on the
University. It would be more important that ever for the University to ensure
that it was as efficient as possible, and it was noted that the Director of
Finance was considering a number of value-for-money initiatives.
08/105 Programme Proposals
SEN08-P102
On the recommendation of Learning and Teaching Committee, on
the advice of Curriculum Sub-Committee, Senate RESOLVED to recommend to Council
as appropriate:
.1 New programmes (with
effect from October 2009 unless stated):
BSc(DPS) Web Development and Design
MA Studio Ceramics: Methodologies and Practice
MA Cultural Analysis
MSc Cultural Sociology
MSc Management and Leadership (Association for Consultancy
and Engineering) (with effect from January 2009)
MA/MSc Product Design in Business
MSc Research in Analytical Chemistry
(with effect from October 2008)
.2 Discontinuation of programmes (last
intake shown in brackets):
MEng,
MEng (DIS) Wireless Communications Engineering (Oct 2003)
08/106 Learning and Teaching Committee
On the recommendation of Learning and Teaching Committee, Senate
RESOLVED to approve:
SEN08-P103
.1 Credit values of
Recommendations concerning the
credit values of University awards.
SEN08-P104
.2 Assessment flexibility policy for
elite athletes.
An assessment flexibility policy for
elite athletes.
Apologies were given for the late notice of a request to
unstar this item, and it was emphasised that there was no intention to detract
from the hard work that had gone into the development of this policy. However,
concerns were expressed that in approving an assessment flexibility policy for
elite athletes, but not for other groups (particularly those with strong
religious beliefs), the University might be considered to be treating students
in an unequal manner, and/or acting unlawfully. Reference was made to an
incident in Summer 2008 in which a student who benefitted from flexible
assessment arrangements in view of their sporting commitments was perceived to
have been treated more favourably than a student from the same department who
had initially been advised that no flexible arrangements could be made in
respect of his religious observance.
It was noted that at Loughborough, the demand for flexible
assessment arrangements from those with high-level sporting commitments was
significantly higher than that from other groups, and that the intention of the
proposed policy was simply to tighten-up and formalise the existing
arrangements that had been made for elite athletes for a number of years. On
this basis, Senate RESOLVED to approve the policy.
However, Senate also AGREED that the University’s
existing policy on assessment flexibility in the context of religious
observance, as referred to in the Student Handbook, should be amended as soon
as possible to indicate that in exceptional circumstances, special arrangements
could be made for reasons of religious observance. This wording would stand
pending a full debate of the issues and preparation of revised policies on
special examination arrangements more generally. This debate would be conducted
through Programme Quality Team and include consultation with departments, with
the intention that final proposals would be submitted to Learning and Teaching
Committee in February 2009 and Senate in March 2009, so that arrangements were
in place for Semester 2 2008-09.
SEN08-P105
.3 Regulation XVIII Academic Misconduct.
Amendments to Regulation XVIII.
SEN08-P106
.4 Validated programmes at
The introduction of a new version of the Honours
‘top-up’ degree to lead to the degree of BSc in Applied Sports
Science (Management) for validation with effect from session 2009/10.
SEN08-P107
.5 End of programme feedback.
A lifting of the University requirement on departments to
collect end of programme feedback.
SEN08-P108
.6 Terms of Reference.
Amendments to the terms of reference of Learning and
Teaching Committee, with immediate effect.
08/107 Performance Monitoring Group
SEN08-P109
Senate RECEIVED a report of the meeting held on 3 October
2008, and RESOLVED to approve:
SEN08-P110
.1 Amendments
to the terms of reference of Performance Monitoring Group, with immediate
effect.
08/108
SEN08-P111
Senate RECEIVED a report of the meeting held on 17 October
2008, and RESOLVED to approve:
SEN08-P112
.1 Amendments to the terms of reference of
the Enterprise Board, with immediate effect.
08/109 Health, Safety and Environmental Committee
SEN08-P113
Senate RECEIVED a report of the meeting held on 30 October
2008, and RESOLVED to approve:
SEN08-P114
.1 Amendments
to the membership of reference of Health, Safety and Environmental Committee,
with immediate effect.
SEN08-P115
.2 Annual Health, Safety and Environmental
Office Plan.
08/110 Term Dates
SEN08-P116
Senate RESOLVED to approve term
dates for the 2010-11 academic year.
08/111 Senate Appointments on Other Committees
Senate RESOLVED to approve a proposal that the power to
appoint Senate members on other Committees be delegated to the Secretary of Senate.
08/112 Review
of Court
SEN08-P117
Senate NOTED recommendations from the Review Group.
08/113 Membership of Senate 2008-09
SEN08-P118
Senate NOTED the membership of
Senate for 2008-09.
08/114 Librarian’s Annual Report 2007-08
SEN08-P119
Senate NOTED the annual report for
2007-08 from the Librarian.
08/115 Reports from Committees
Senate
RECEIVED reports from the following Committees:
.1 SEN08-P120 Costing and Pricing Committee of 2 July 2008.
.2 SEN08-P121 Estates Management Committee of 22 July and 10 September 2008.
.3 SEN08-P122 Learning and Teaching Committee of 6 November 2008.
.4 SEN08-P123 Prizes Committee of 6 November 2008.
.5 SEN08-P124 Research Performance Monitoring Group of 22 September 2008.
.6 SEN08-P125 Student Discipline Committee of 4 November 2008.
.7 SEN08-P126 Student Experience Committee of 29 October 2008.
08/116 Dates of Future Meetings in
2008-09
Wednesday 28 January
2009, 9.15am (if necessary)
Wednesday 4 March 2009,
9.15am
Wednesday 1 July 2009,
9.15am
Author – Chris Dunbobbin
Date – November 2008
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