SENATE
SEN10-M5
Minutes of the Ordinary
Meeting of Senate on Wednesday 30 June 2010.
|
Jo Aldridge Simon Austin Chris Backhouse Alan Bairner Morag Bell David Berry Richard Bibb (ab) Jon Binner Ed Brown (ab) James Carroll Jim Chandler Mike Cropper Sandra Dann David Deacon Jack Demaine (ab) Phill Dickens Neil Dixon John Feather Neil Halliwell Daniel Harris |
Shirley Pearce Janet Harrison Roger Haslam Elaine Hobby Tony Hodgson Phil Hubbard Ruth Jenkins (ab) Terry Kavanagh Ruth Kinna Feo Kusmartsev Angus Laing Chris Linton Julian Mackenzie (ab) Graham Matthews Marsha Meskimmon Paul Palmer (ab) Rob Parkin Brian Parkinson (ab) Ken Parsons |
Chris Peel Eric Pentecost (ab) Iain Phillips Jonathan Potter Ian Reid Stephen Rice Chris Rielly (ab) Carol Robinson Richard Stobart Elizabeth Stokoe Gerry Swallowe Tony Thorpe David Twigg Yiannis Vardaxoglou Scott Vickers (ab) Peter Warwick Andrew Watson Mark Webber (ab) Huaizhong Zhao |
In attendance: Rob Allan, Chris Dunbobbin,
Jennifer Nutkins, Will Spinks, Ruth Stubbings, Caroline Walker.
Apologies for absence were received from: Richard
Bibb, Jack Demaine, John Feather, Ruth Jenkins, Paul Palmer, Eric Pentecost, Mark Webber.
10/49 Minutes
Senate RESOLVED to confirm and sign the Minutes of the Ordinary meeting
held on 3 March 2010 (SEN10-M3).
10/50 University Strategy/Planning
SEN10-P39
Senate RECEIVED a
report on progress against Implementation Plans in 2009/10, and NOTED
priorities for 2010/11. It was noted in discussion that the way in which TRAC
data was used within the sector was developing and that the University was
reviewing the way it employed the data to ensure its optimal use to inform
internal decision-making.
10/51 School of Business and Economics
SEN10-P40
Professor Laing introduced the proposals
noting that wide consultation had been undertaken with staff in the proposed
School over the last few months. Senate RESOLVED to approve the establishment of the School of Business
and Economics from the Department of Economics and the Business School, with effect from 1
August 2010.
10/52 Future Shape and Structure of the University
SEN10-P41
52.1 Senate NOTED a background paper from the
Vice-Chancellor setting out the reasons for reconsidering the academic
structure of the University. The Vice-Chancellor emphasised the following
points:
i)
It
was likely that the University’s public sector income would be cut by at
least 20-25% over the next four years. The proposed restructuring would not
deliver all of the savings required to address this loss of income, but would
help to make the University more resilient in the face of a very difficult
external environment. Council would need to be reassured that the University
was taking prompt action to address the challenges it faced.
ii)
There
were also important internal reasons for restructuring. These concerned the
communications, simplicity and other related agendas that were being pursued by
the University, with the aim of responding to concerns identified from the
staff survey, minimising bureaucracy, and streamlining decision-making
processes.
iii)
It
was likely that the Browne review would propose an increase in the level of tuition
fees, and that Loughborough would benefit from this. However, regardless of the
fees situation, the University faced 4-5 years of significant reductions in its
income.
The Vice-Chancellor thanked Professor Linton
and all of those involved in the University Structure Project Management Board (PMB)
for their excellent work in consulting widely, taking into account a large
number of comments, and producing a thorough report.
52.3 SEN10-P86
Senate NOTED the resolution of the
meeting of the General Assembly held on 21 June 2010 relating the structure of
the University. The Vice-Chancellor commented that she supported many of the
general principles expressed in the resolution.
SEN10-P42
52.2 Senate RECEIVED the final report of the PMB
and RESOLVED to recommend to Council for approval the following high level principles:
i)
That
the University should restructure its academic management around no more than
ten cost centres. (This represented an amendment to the PMB’s
recommendation which referred specifically to ten cost centres and their set
out their composition).
ii)
That faculties should be removed.
iii)
That
a new group, the Academic Leadership Team (ALT), should be created. All
Deans of School would be members of this group, the full membership of which
would be determined by the Vice-Chancellor, who would chair the
committee. The ALT would replace the three Directorates and ELT.
iv)
That
the new schools should formally begin operation on 1 August 2011.
The following points
were noted in discussion:
i)
It
was intended that a new PMB would be established as quickly as possible to
manage the implementation of the restructuring. It would use the detailed
recommendations of the PMB final report as a starting point, but these would be
reviewed and further work and consultation on specific issues would take place.
Discussion and formal approval of changes to procedures and formal structures would
take place through the relevant committees. The composition of the
Implementation PMB would be broader than that of the University Structure PMB,
incorporating staff from across the institution, including inter alia student members, and representatives from all job
families.
ii)
It
was emphasised that the groupings of departments into specific schools had not
been finally agreed and that there was flexibility for further discussion where
departments had expressed reservations about particular groupings. Internal
School structures could be designed flexibly, as in the case of Business and
Economics, to ensure that discipline identities were maintained. It was
acknowledged that Schools composed of diverse disciplines might operate
differently to those with greater academic synergy.
iii)
It
was noted further that the PMB had thought carefully about the optimal number
of Schools under the new structure, and had concluded that it would work most
effectively and efficiently with a maximum of 10.
iv)
Reference
was made to a number of the risks outlined in the report, as below:
a)
The
potential loss of discipline identity.
b)
That notwithstanding the removal of faculties,
the restructuring might, for some departments, result in an increase in
bureaucracy and less slickness in decision-making.
c)
A
possible loss of focus on other important activities, such as the REF, and
other initiatives that would be necessary in order to respond to the impending
cuts in public funding.
It was emphasised,
however, that the Implementation PMB would draw up a detailed risk assessment,
and that one of its key responsibilities would be to ensure that these, and the
other risks identified, were managed well so that any adverse effects of
restructuring were minimised. It would be possible, in this process, to learn
from the experience of those departments that had already joined with others to
form Schools. It was emphasised further that each School would retain the
flexibility to determine the most efficient internal structure - this local
flexibility was important, and it was suggested that many operational solutions
would evolve organically over time at a local level.
v)
The
proposed Schools varied in size, such that there would be an imbalance in
representation. It was noted, however, that this position would be no better or
worse than that which existed under the current faculty/department structure.
vi)
Concern
was expressed about the representation of science-based subjects on Operations
Committee in view of the proposal that (a) Deans of School would serve for one
year, in rotation, with two or three on the Committee at any one time, and (b) there
would be only one School comprised of science-based disciplines. It was agreed that
this arrangement would need to be monitored.
vii)
There
was support for the suggestion that Deans of Schools should be appointed quickly,
in order that they be in post for as much of the
2010-11 academic cycle as possible. It was confirmed that they would be
appointed in accordance with existing procedures for appointment of Heads of
Departments which included consultation with members of staff in the unit
concerned.
viii)
It
would be important to maintain effective leadership at departmental/discipline
level. Clear terms of reference for these roles within each School would need
to be produced as quickly as possible. There were mixed views concerning the
likely interest of staff in management roles under the new structure and the
necessity or otherwise of honoraria.
ix)
The
recommendations had been considered and were supported by the Loughborough
Students Union, on the understanding that steps were taken to minimise any
impact on the student experience, and to maintain existing levels of student
representation. Concerns were noted about the potential impact of the creation
of larger Schools on the experience of students currently in smaller
departments. The Vice-Chancellor emphasised that the maintenance of the student
experience would remain a key concern throughout the implementation and beyond.
Reassurances were also given that existing levels of student representation on
SSLCs, Senate, and other bodies would be replicated within the new structure.
x)
Reference
was made to a number of the benefits referred to in the PMB report:
a)
It
was noted that the Wolfson School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering
had benefitted from sharing good practices from its constituent departments,
and that the formation of the School had given rise to new academic synergies,
which had resulted, for example, in the creation of new research groups.
b)
The
new structure would be more resilient and smaller units less vulnerable, in the
face of significant public spending cuts.
c)
The
new structure would encourage more working together in a non-academic as well
as an academic sense, for example in helping the University to meet
HEFCE’s carbon reduction and space utilisation agendas.
xi)
The
restructuring would require a review of the membership of Senate. However,
there was no sense in which the proposed ALT was intended to replace Senate.
xii)
It
was crucial to maximise staff buy-in during any process of change, and good
communication was an important element of this. It was suggested, therefore, that
there be further meetings of General Assembly and regular updates by email
throughout the implementation process.
A vote on the first three recommendations was
requested. It was agreed that the views, submitted by email, of members who had
given apologies should be included (all those who had given apologies had been
invited to indicate their view on the recommendations and 6 of the 7 had
replied by the time of the meeting). The outcome of the vote was:
For: 35
(including 5 votes cast by members who had given apologies)
Against: 13
(including 1 vote cast by a member who had given apologies)
Abstentions: 4
The fourth recommendation was approved
without a vote.
Professor Linton thanked the members of the
PMB, and Fidelma Hannah and Tom Orrill for their work in supporting the Board.
10/53 British University in Egypt
SEN10-P43
Senate RECEIVED a report on the revalidation
process, and RESOLVED to delegate authority to the BUE Validation Sub-Committee
to reach a decision on revalidation in October 2010.
It was noted in discussion that two of the
six stages of the revalidation process had been completed, and that there was
evidence of significant progress in a number of areas. However, there were also
concerns, particularly in relation to the Economics and Petroleum Engineering
and Gas Technology programmes, and Loughborough had asked BUE to establish, and
implement rigorously, specific action plans to address these issues over the
coming months. A range of issues were due to be discussed at the BUE Board of
Trustees meeting on 1 July 2010.
Senate AGREED that it would conduct a full
debate on all aspects of the University’s relationship with BUE at the
November 2010 meeting.
10/54 Vacation Distribution
SEN10-P44
Senate RESOLVED to approve a reduction of the
student Christmas Vacation from four weeks to three weeks in length.
10/55 Amendment to Regulation XX Undergraduate
Awards
SEN10-P45
On the recommendation of Learning and
Teaching Committee, Senate RESOLVED to approve an increase in the minimum requirements
for passing an undergraduate programme Part. Senate NOTED that consideration
would be given to implementing an equivalent increase in minimum progression requirements
in respect of the regulations governing Foundation level studies.
10/56 Matters for Report by the Pro-Vice-Chancellor
(Research)
SEN10-P46
Senate RECEIVED a report.
10/57 Matters for Report by the Pro-Vice-Chancellor
(Teaching)
SEN10-P47
57.1 Senate RECEIVED a report
on Student Recruitment, 2010 Entry.
57.2 Other Matters for
Report.
Senate NOTED that the University’s NSS
response rate had been very good, at 76%, and thanks were given to all in the University
and Students’ Union who had helped achieve this.
10/58 Matters for
Report by the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Enterprise)
SEN10-P48
Senate
RECEIVED a report. The following matters were highlighted:
i)
emda
would have a considerably reduced budget in 2010-11, and was very unlikely to
fund any projects that had not already been contracted. It was reducing budgets
on contracted activities and clawing back money where activities were in
default.
ii)
A call for Loughborough University
Enterprise Fellowships would be launched in July 2010. The call would be open
to academics and research staff from all disciplines.
10/59 Matters for Report by the Vice-Chancellor
i)
The Chief Operating Officer provided Senate with the
following updates.
a) National Pay Negotiations. UCEA’s
final offer of 0.4% had been rejected by UCU and the Education Institute of
Scotland. The other unions had neither accepted nor rejected the offer. The
JNCHES dispute procedures had therefore been put into place; a first meeting had
taken place in June 2010, and a further meeting was scheduled for 5 July 2010.
b) Proposed Reform of the USS Pension Scheme. The scheme was scheduled to be valued in 2011. The Joint Review Group
had been unable to agree on a joint set of revisions to the scheme to be
implemented prior to the valuation, and the final proposals of the employers’
and UCU representatives had moved into the public arena. The Joint Negotiating
Committee (JNC) was scheduled to meet on 7 July 2010, and it was possible that
the independent chair would use his casting vote to resolve the deadlock. The
scheme rules were such that recommendations for change could only be taken
forward by the USS Trustees Board if they were proposed to the Trustees by a
majority of the JNC.
c) Local Government Pension Scheme. The valuation
cycle for the Local Government Pension Scheme was a year ahead of the USS
scheme. On the basis of existing and anticipated liabilities, it appeared
likely that contributions to the scheme would need to increase very
significantly. Further details would be available in the autumn.
ii)
The Vice-Chancellor noted that the University had
achieved a good ranking in recent newspaper league tables, and offered thanks
to all within the institution for their part in this achievement.
10/60 Committee Effectiveness
SEN10-P49
Senate RECEIVED a
paper inviting it to consider its effectiveness. One member expressed concern
that Senate papers had not been circulated to members 5 working days in advance
of the meeting, as required by Regulation III. It was noted that a review was
due to be undertaken of the procedures for circulating papers for Senate and
other committees, with the aim of reducing printing and related costs and
improving on the timeliness of circulation, where possible.
10/61 Design School
61.1 Location of the Design School within the
Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities
On the recommendation of Operations Committee,
Senate RESOLVED to approve a proposal that the Design School be in the Faculty
of Social Sciences and Humanities, pending any further changes to the structure
of the University.
61.2 Establishment of Loughborough University
Environmental Ergonomics Research Centre
SEN10-P50
Senate RESOLVED to approve the
establishment of the Loughborough University Environmental Ergonomics Research
Centre.
61.3 Change of Name of Vehicle Safety
Research Centre
Senate RESOLVED to
approve a change of name of the Vehicle Safety Research Centre to the Transport
Safety Research Centre in order to make clear that in addition to vehicle
safety research, the Centre also conducted research into infrastructure, road
user behaviour, new technologies and other aspects of traffic safety.
10/62 University Ordinances
SEN10-P51
62.1 On the recommendation of Student Discipline
Committee, Senate RESOLVED to recommend to Council amendments to Ordinance XVII
(Conduct and Discipline of Students), with effect from 4 October 2010.
SEN10-P52
62.2 Senate RESOLVED to recommend to Council
amendments to Ordinance XXIII (Traffic and Parking in the University), with
effect from 4 October 2010.
10/63 Programme Proposals
SEN10-P53
On the recommendation of Learning and
Teaching Committee, on the advice of Curriculum Sub-Committee, Senate RESOLVED to
recommend to Council as appropriate:
63.1 New programmes (with effect from October 2010 unless stated):
BSc,DPS
Design Ergonomics (October 2011)
MSc Healthcare Fire Safety
Management
MSc Healthcare Emergency Preparedness and
Business Continuity Management
MSc Powertrain and Vehicle Engineering
63.2 Award, title or major programme changes (with effect from October 2010 unless stated):
MSc International Relations
MSc Automotive Systems Engineering
MSc Sport Coaching
PGCert Back Care Management (June 2010)
BEng, MEng Product Design and Manufacture to BEng, MEng Product Design
Engineering (for all existing students, already applied to 2008 entry onwards)
MSc Sport Nutrition (DL) to MSc Nutrition for Sport and Physical
Activity (DL) (April 2010)
MSc Back Care Management to MSc
Healthcare Manual Handling Management (September 2010)
BSc Retail Management to BSc Retailing, Marketing and Management (final
year students in 2009/10, already applied to October 2009 entry)
MSc Packaging Technology (MfI) to MSc
Packaging Technology (MST) (October 2010)
BA Illustration, BA Graphic Communication, BA Printed Textiles, BA
Woven Textiles, BA Multimedia Textiles (addition of the award of DIntS) (from 2009-10 session)
63.3 Suspension of
programmes
MSc Physical Education and Sport Pedagogy (last intake September 2009,
programme to be reconfigured during suspension and re-launched for 2011 intake)
MSc Criminology and Criminal Justice (last intake September 2009, next
intake October 2011)
63.4 Discontinuation of programmes (last
intake shown in brackets):
MSc European and International Studies (September
2009)
BSc/MComp Computer Science and E-Business
(October 2010)
MSc Mechatronics (Oct 2009)
10/64 Learning and Teaching Committee
On the recommendation of Learning
and Teaching Committee, Senate RESOLVED:
SEN10-P54
64.1 Master in Science (MSci) degree
To approve the
introduction of the degree of Master in Science (MSci), necessitating an
amendment to Ordinance IV.
SEN10-P55
64.2 Reassessment of undergraduate
project/dissertation modules
To approve an amendment to Regulation XX to
allow undergraduate students who narrowly fail a project/dissertation module
the possibility of revising and resubmitting the original piece of work for the
purpose of reassessment.
SEN10-P56
64.3 Leave of absence/termination of studies
To approve changes in procedures for handling
leave of absence and termination of studies, and associated changes to
Regulation IX.
SEN10-P57
64.4 University Admissions Policy for High
Performance Student Athletes
To approve a
University Admissions Policy for High Performance Student Athletes.
SEN10-P58
64.5 Points Based Immigration System
To note actions in
response to the new Points Based Immigration System and approve a
recommendation for action.
SEN10-P59
64.6 Code of Practice on Placement Learning
To approve a revised Code of Practice on
Placement Learning and associated Health and Safety Documentation for
implementation from the start of 2010-11.
10/65 Research Committee
On the recommendation of Research Committee, Senate
RESOLVED to approve:
SEN10-P61
65.1 Amendments to the Regulations for
Higher Degrees by Research - Regulations for Higher Doctorates
SEN10-P62
65.2 Amendments to the Regulations for
Higher Degrees by Research – Academic Misconduct
Senate NOTED that the report of the meeting
of Research Committee on 4 June 2010 (SEN10-P60, marked as ‘to
follow’ on the agenda) would be submitted to the next meeting.
10/66 Estates Management Committee
SEN10-P63
Senate RECEIVED reports of the meetings on 25
March and 13 May 2010, and RESOLVED to approve:
SEN10-P64
66.1 Amended Terms of Reference for Estates
Management Committee.
10/67 Advancement Committee
SEN10-P65
Senate RECEIVED reports of the meetings on 10
February and 9 June 2010, and RESOLVED to approve:
SEN10-P66
67.1 Amended Terms of Reference for Advancement
Committee.
10/68 Arts Committee – Amended Terms of
Reference and Membership
SEN10-P67
Senate RESOLVED to approve amended Terms of
Reference and Membership for Arts Committee.
10/69 Membership of Senate 2010-11
SEN10-P68
Senate NOTED the membership of
Senate for 2010-11, so far determined.
10/70 Annual Report on Student Complaints 2008-09
SEN10-P69
Senate RECEIVED a report on student
complaints in 2008-09.
10/71 Student
Appeals against Programme Board or Review Board Decisions: Report for 2009
SEN10-P70
Senate RECEIVED a report on the
operation of the Regulation XIV appeals procedure in 2009.
10/72 Ethical Advisory Committee
SEN10-P71
Senate RECEIVED the annual report of
the Ethical Advisory Committee.
10/73 Careers Centre Advisory Board Annual Report
Senate NOTED the publication of the Careers
Centre Advisory Board Annual Report for 2008-09 (available on the web at http://www.lboro.ac.uk/service/careers/section/reports/pdf/CSABreport09.pdf).
10/74 Graduation Ceremonies 2010
Senate NOTED the dates of Graduation
Ceremonies in 2010:
Summer: Thursday 15 July 2010 (am and pm)
Friday 16
July 2010 (am and pm)
Monday 19
July 2010 (am and pm)
Tuesday 20
July 2010 (am and pm)
Winter: Monday 20 December 2010 (three ceremonies)
10/75 Reports from
Committees
Senate RECEIVED reports from the
following Committees:
75.1 SEN10-P72 Enterprise
Board of 4 June 2010
75.2 SEN10-P73 Health,
Safety and Environmental Committee of 9 June 2010
75.3 SEN10-P74 Learning
and Teaching Committee of 3 June 2010.
75.4 SEN10-P75 Performance
Monitoring Group of 9 March 2010
75.5 SEN10-P76 Prizes
Committee of 15 March 2010.
75.6 SEN10-P77 Research
Performance Monitoring Committee of 19 January, 26 January, 13
April
and 8 June 2010
75.7 SEN10-P78 Student
Discipline Committee of 9 February and 8 June 2010.
75.8 SEN10-P79 Student
Experience Committee of 24 February and 16 June 2010
10/76 Dates of
Meetings in 2010-11
Tuesday
16 November 2010, 9.15am
Wednesday
26 January 2010, 9.15am (if necessary)
Wednesday
9 March 2010, 9.15am
Wednesday
6 July 2010, 9.15am
10/77 Any Other Business
Senate RESOLVED to
approve the action of the Chair in approving, on behalf of Senate, the
reappointment of Dr Keith Gregory as Chair of Prizes Committee for a further 2
years until 31 July 2012.
10/78 Valedictory
The Vice-Chancellor
thanked staff and student members for whom it was their last meeting.
Author – Jennifer
Nutkins/Chris Dunbobbin
Date – July 2010
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