SENATE
SEN12-M5
Minutes of the Ordinary
Meeting of Senate on Wednesday 4 July 2012.
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In attendance: Chris Backhouse (for item 12/56),
Mike Caine (for item 12/58), Neil Doherty (for item 12/55), Chris Dunbobbin, Robert
Hamilton (for item 12/56), Graham Matthews (for item 12/55), Jennifer Nutkins.
Apologies
for absence were received from: Memis Acar, Alan Bairner, Tracy Bhamra, Richard
Bibb, Jonathon Chambers, Jim Chandler, Alistair Cheyne, Laurence Clift, Sandie
Dann, Rob Dover, Simon Downs, Jacqui Glass, Russell Harris, Janet Harrison,
Chris Hewitt, Elaine Hobby, Angus Laing, Dominic Malcolm, Chris Szejnmann, Tony
Thorpe, Yiannis Vardaxoglou, Jonathan Wright.
12/52 Valedictory
On behalf of Senate, the Vice-Chancellor
thanked retiring members. Particular thanks were given to Professor Ken Parsons
and Professor Yiannis Vardaxoglou for their significant contributions as PVC(R)
and Dean of the School of EESE respectively, and to the student members.
12/53 Minutes
Senate RESOLVED to
confirm and sign the Minutes of the Ordinary meeting held on 9 March 2012
(SEN12-M3).
12/54 Business of the Agenda
54.1 Item 12/78 was unstarred to note that there would not be an extraordinary
meeting on 12 October as stated. (Secretary’s Note: There will be an
extraordinary meeting of Senate on the morning of 11 October 2012).
54.2 The
Deputy Vice-Chancellor took the Chair for items 12/56 to 12/61 inclusive.
12/55 Review of
Information Science, Information Systems and Information Management
SEN12-P51a / SEN12-P51b
Senate received a
paper on the outcome of the Review of Information Science, Information Systems
and Information Management, and a response from Department of Information
Science (DIS) staff to the draft version of that document (which was, in
substance, identical to the final version).
The paper on the outcome of the Review
confirmed the membership of the Review Panel, and noted that as discussions had
progressed, it had been considered appropriate to involve representatives from
the School of the Arts, English and Drama. A working group, whose membership
included two members of DIS staff, had also been established to crystallise the
focus for future academic activity, and the Chair of the Review Panel had met
twice with DIS staff, once early in the process, and again after the broad
thrust of the Panel’s proposal was known. The Panel was unanimous in the
view that there was a need for change; other institutions were refocusing their
activities in this rapidly evolving field, and the proposals were felt to be an
excellent opportunity to build on Loughborough’s significant success in
this academic area by creating a new and distinctive entity which better
integrated existing strengths in research, teaching and enterprise in DIS, and
the School of Business and Economics, and which replaced the current Research
School in Informatics.
The response to the outcome of the Review,
which was supported by a majority of DIS staff across all categories,
emphasised that although staff welcomed the opportunities presented by a review
of IS/IM activities across campus, they were opposed to the Review
Group’s proposals, and in particular emphasised
the following points: the potentially negative reputational impact
associated with the loss of Departmental status; the limited scope of the six
research areas of the proposed new Centre; the possible movement of some DIS
staff, whose research did not align strongly with the new Centre, elsewhere
within the University; the principle of moving DIS staff to join a smaller
number of staff in SBE who were active in IS/IM, rather than vice versa; the
physical location of the new Centre, and in particular why the integration of
the University’s strengths in IS/IM could not be realised within the
recently refurbished Bridgeman Building; and the impact on staff and students
(which was not considered to be restricted to the management of space moves).
It was noted further that there had been a limited period of time for DIS staff
to respond to the outcome of the Review, and a delay in taking forward the
proposal was therefore requested in order for the issues above to be considered
further.
In discussion it was noted that the concerns
raised in the DIS staff response had already been considered very carefully by
the Review Panel, and specific reassurances were given that significant ongoing UG provision was envisaged, with opportunities for
the delivery of more attractive UG programmes, and for raising the quality of
student intake. It was noted further that many parts of the University had experienced
structural change in recent years in order to strengthen disciplinary areas,
and that ultimately the reputation of an academic unit in research, teaching
and enterprise was based primarily on its performance rather than on its name
or its status as a School, Department or Centre.
Senate’s view was that the proposals
were forward-looking, based on a strong academic rationale, and offered an
excellent opportunity to build on an existing position of strength in IS/IM.
The academic case for change was such that it was not considered appropriate to
delay the approval in principle of the creation a new Centre. However, Senate
recognised that a significant proportion of DIS staff had expressed major reservations about the proposals, and it was
of the upmost importance that their concerns were properly addressed in the
implementation process.
Senate therefore agreed the following:
a) To approve the proposals of the Review Panel:
·
To create a Centre for Information
Management located within the School of Business and Economics. The Centre
would be formed from the Department of Information Science (including LISU) and
the Information Management/Information Systems research group within SBE. Part
of the Centre’s remit would be to coordinate interdisciplinary research
across the University in information related areas.
·
Decisions on whether DIS teaching
programmes currently administered in the School of Science should transfer to
other Schools would be taken by the University Learning & Teaching
Committee.
b) To ask the Review Panel to consult and
engage further with DIS staff, and existing students, before submitting to the next meeting of Senate an implementation plan, incorporating
a more detailed timetable (which might allow for some flexibility
in the implementation timescale outlined in the initial proposal), and
more in-depth proposals in relation to research, teaching and enterprise,
taking into account the issues raised in the DIS staff response.
12/56 British University in Egypt
SEN12-P52
Senate RECEIVED an
update on the validation process relating to the undergraduate programmes at
BUE, and RESOLVED to support a recommendation that a decision on the future of
the validated programmes be delayed until the autumn.
12/57 University Strategy/Planning
SEN12-P53
57.1 Senate NOTED progress
against the Action Plan developed as a result of the review of the University
Strategy undertaken in October 2011.
57.2 Senate NOTED the Progress
Report on the Strategic Implementation Plans and Priorities for 2012/13.
12/58 Developing an Academic Activity on the
Olympic Park
SEN12-P54
Senate NOTED
progress with the Olympic Park Project and the planned process for further
discussion, debate and decision.
12/59 Matters for Report by the Pro-Vice-Chancellor
(Research)
SEN12-P55
Senate RECEIVED a
report. The following points were highlighted:
i)
Research
Applications and Awards. Applications at the three quarter
year stage were at 78% (volume) and 87% (value) of the previous year’s
position. The corresponding figures for new grants and contracts were 68%
(volume) and 58% (value), noting that the previous year’s total by value
had been a University record. The value of awarded EU funding represented was
up 120% on the full figure for 2010-11, and with the launch of the European
Commission’s Horizon 2020 programme, the Research Office was ensuring it
was prepared for emerging EU funding opportunities.
ii)
The Research
School in Informatics would cease to exist on 31 July 2012, as part of the
outcome of the Review of IS/IM. The other 5 Research Schools had continued to
contribute towards the growth of the University’s interdisciplinary activity.
iii)
The LUPIN
system had been successfully rolled out across the University.
iv)
Significant
progress was being made in preparation for the REF 2014.
v)
Research
Income and Overhead Contribution levels were at a healthy three quarter year
position.
12/60 Matters for Report by the Pro-Vice-Chancellor
(Teaching)
SEN12-P56
60.1 Student Recruitment 2012 Entry.
Senate RECEIVED a summary of the latest position in relation to UG and PGT
recruitment for 2012 entry. It was noted that the admissions process in Summer 2012 would be challenging, and that the financial
penalties for over-recruiting would be much greater than in the past. However,
an analysis had been conducted to estimate possible AAB+/SNC outcomes at
School/Departmental level, and these scenarios had been used to develop a set
of principles, which had been discussed with ALT and Admissions Tutors, and
which would be implemented at the time of confirmation in August 2012. The
priority was to meet AAB+ and SNC targets at institutional level, but there
were significant uncertainties, and it was possible that the University would
fall short of the AAB+ target, and rebalancing of numbers between the two
targets at school level might be necessary where feasible.
60.2 QAA Institutional Review. Following the visit of the QAA Review Team from 28 May to 1
June 2012, the University had received a ‘key findings’ letter
which confirmed that provision at Loughborough met UK expectations. A
draft report would be received for factual checking in mid-July and the final
report would be available on 20 August 2012.
60.3 National Student Survey and Key
Information Sets. The NSS response rate had been
74%, matching that of the previous year. The results would be available for
internal review in August 2012 and published nationally on 17 September 2012.
From 2012-13, KIS data would be published, and thanks were given to all staff
in Schools and Registry who had been involved in the preparation of this
information.
SEN12-P57
60.4 MSc in Occupational Health & Safety
Management
Senate was content that a PMB
convened by Operations Committee should continue to explore the implications of
a proposal by the School of Business and Economics to deliver an accredited
postgraduate Executive Education programme in Dubai in partnership with a
private provider. Delegated authority to the Chair of Senate was not required because
a final proposal would be brought to a subsequent meeting of Senate.
The
following points were noted in discussion:
i)
The proposal was of strategic
important to the SBE, and would enhance its Executive Education profile
internationally.
ii)
The proposed
programme was relatively small in scale, but if the required permit was
obtained, there would be scope for the delivery of up to four additional
programmes in Dubai.
12/61 Matters for
Report by the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Enterprise)
SEN12-P58
The PVC(E) reported on the following:
i)
Higher
Education – Business and Community Interaction (HE-BCI) Survey
Senate noted that the
PVC(E) would take forward a dialogue with Deans and
AD(E)s to identify actions which would help the University to achieve the
maximum HEIF allocation available from 2015.
ii)
Science and
Enterprise Park Phase 2 (SEP2)
The
University had planning permission to develop Science and Enterprise Park Phase
2 on the land alongside Ashby Road extending to Snell’s Nook Lane. Senate
NOTED the benefits associated with a vibrant Science and Enterprise Park; the
current status and progress of SEPS2; and that the PVC(E)
would work towards the establishment of a viable business plan.
iii)
Awards
Senate
NOTED recent awards for enterprise activity at Loughborough, including the
University’s own Enterprise awards. It was noted in this context that the
appetite for entrepreneurial activity among Loughborough students was immense,
and was increasingly being supported through initiatives such as the Commercialisation
Studio (CS), which was reaching the end of its first year of operation. To
date, the CS had been utilised primarily by Design and Arts students, but there
was scope for students from all parts of the University to engage with the
initiative, and benefit from interaction with students from other disciplines.
iv)
Enterprise
Metrics
Senate NOTED
and welcomed metrics describing enterprise activity at the University.
The Deputy
Vice-Chancellor thanked the PVC(E) for his work in
helping the University to better understand the Enterprise environment and put
itself in the best position to maximise HEIF and other relevant funding
opportunities.
12/62 Matters for Report by the Vice-Chancellor
The Vice-Chancellor reported on the
following:
i)
There had been a number of recent events
on campus relating to the Olympics, and thanks were offered to all staff
involved in making these a success.
ii)
Loughborough had risen to 16th
in the Times Good University Guide 2013, and 14th in the Complete
University Guide 2013.
iii)
A response rate of 64% had been
achieved for the Staff Survey. The results would be used to review progress
since 2008, and to identify scope for further enhancement of the experience of
working at Loughborough.
12/63 Amendment to Statute XIV
SEN12-P59
Senate RESOLVED to
recommend to Council an amendment to Statute XIV to ensure alignment with the new composition
of Senate, as approved by Senate in January 2011, and in particular, to state explicitly that Members appointed by the
School Deans shall hold office for a period of three years.
12/64 Amendments to Regulations VI and XVI and
Repeal of Ordinance XIII
SEN12-P60
Senate RESOLVED to approve amendments to Regulations
VI (Determining the Dates of the Academic Year and Semesters within the
Academic Year) and XVI (Tuition Fees and Payments for Other University
Services), and to recommend to Council the repeal of Ordinance XIII (Academic
Year), in order to align with fee-charging proposals being considered by
Operations Committee and Council.
12/65 Learning and Teaching Committee
SEN12-P61
Senate RECEIVED a report of the meeting held
on 14 June 2012, and on the recommendation of Learning and Teaching Committee, RESOLVED
to approve:
SEN12-P62
65.1 Amendments to Regulation XXI
(Postgraduate Awards)
SEN12-P63
65.2 Amendments to Regulation XXII (Taught
Programme Internal and External Examiners and Review and Programme Boards)
SEN12-P64
65.3 The introduction of a Merit Award for
Postgraduate Taught programmes and associated amendments to Regulation XXI
(Postgraduate Awards)
12/66 Finance Committee
SEN12-P65
Senate RECEIVED reports of the
meetings of Finance Committee on 29 March and 21 June, and RESOLVED to approve:
SEN12-P66
66.1 Amendments to the Constitution and Terms of
Reference of Finance Committee.
12/67 IT Committee
SEN12-P67
Senate RECEIVED reports of the
meetings of IT Committee on 26 October 2011, 12 March and 9 May 2012, and
RESOLVED to approve:
SEN12-P68
67.1 Amendments to the Constitution and Terms of
Reference of IT Committee.
12/68 Research Committee
SEN12-P69
68.1 Senate RECEIVED reports of the meetings of Research
Committee of 5 March, 2 April, 8 May 2012 and 11 June 2012, and RESOLVED to
approve:
SEN12-P70
68.2 Amendments to Regulation XXVI (Higher
Degrees by Research) relating to the digitisation of theses.
12/69 Student Discipline Committee
SEN12-P71
Senate RECEIVED a report of the
meeting held on 12 June 2012, and on the recommendation of Student Discipline
Committee, RESOLVED to recommend to Council:
SEN12-P72
69.1 Amendments to Ordinance XVII (Discipline of
Students) to allow the Chief Operating Officer
more flexibility to refer students who commit multiple Minor Offences for
action under the Major Offence procedures.
12/70 Student Experience Committee
SEN12-P73
Senate RECEIVED reports of the meetings on 6
March 19 June 2012, and RESOLVED to approve:
SEN12-P74
70.1 Revisions to the Constitution of Student
Experience Committee.
12/71 Ethics Committee
Senate RECEIVED:
SEN12-P75
71.1 A report from the meeting on 18 June 2012.
SEN12-P76
71.2 The report of the Ethical Advisory
Committee for 2011/12.
12/72 Programme Proposals
SEN12-P77
On the recommendation of Learning and
Teaching Committee, on the advice of Curriculum Sub-Committee, Senate RESOLVED
to recommend to Council as appropriate:
72.1 New Programmes (with effect from September 2012)
Post-Graduate
Certificate of Education in Physics with Mathematics
Professional-Graduate
Certificate of Education in Physics with Mathematics
72.2 Award, title or major programme changes
(with effect from October 2012 unless stated):
MA Digital Media and Society
BSc Engineering Management
(including addition of award of DIS for existing and new students)
BA English and Sports
Science (from October 2012)
MSc Ergonomics for Health Professionals to MSc Ergonomics for
Health and Community Care
MA Global Media and Cultural
Industries
MSc Internet Computing and
Network Security
BEng Mechanical Engineering
BSc Sports Technology
(including addition of award of DPS for existing and new students)
72.3 Suspension of programmes:
MRes Business and Management (Last intake: Oct 2010;
Proposed next intake: Oct 2013)
PG programmes
in Management and Leadership (Print and Packaging) (Last intake: Nov 2005; Proposed next intake: Oct 2013)
PG Cert Mathematics Support
and Dyslexia/Dyscalculia in HE/FE (Last intake: May 2011; Proposed
next intake 2014)
MSc Medical Management (Last intake: Oct 2009; Proposed next intake Oct 2013)
MSc Product Design in Business (No intakes; Proposed next intake Oct 2013)
MSc Research Methods (European
and International Studies) (Last intake Oct 2010; Proposed next intake Oct
2013)
MRes Social Science (p/t) (Last intake Oct 2010; Proposed next intake Oct 2013)
72.4 Discontinuation of programmes:
MA Arts Research by Practice (no intakes)
MRes Criminal Justice Research (last intake Sept
2009)
MSc Criminology & Criminal Justice (p/t)
(last intake Sept 2009)
MSc Criminology & Criminal Justice (f/t)
(last intake Sept 2009)
MA Cultural Analysis (no intakes)
MSc Cultural Sociology (last intake Oct 2010)
MRes Social Science (f/t) (last intake Oct 2010)
MSc Management and Leadership (ACE) (no intakes)
12/73 Membership of Senate 2012-13
SEN12-P78
Senate NOTED the membership of
Senate for 2012-13, so far determined.
12/74 Annual Report on Student Complaints 2010-11
SEN12-P79
Senate RECEIVED a report on student
complaints in 2010-11.
12/75 Careers and Employability Centre
Senate NOTED the publication of the Careers
and Employability Centre Annual Report for 2010-11 (available on the web at http://www.lboro.ac.uk/service/careers/downloads/about/reports/board-report_2010-11.pdf).
12/76 Graduation Ceremonies 2012
Senate NOTED the dates of Graduation
Ceremonies in 2012:
Summer: Thursday 13 September 2012 (am and pm)
Friday 14
September 2012 (am and pm)
Monday 17
September 2012 (am and pm)
Tuesday 18
September 2012 (am and pm)
Winter: Monday 17 December 2012
12/77 Reports from
Committees
Senate RECEIVED reports from the
following Committees:
77.1 SEN12-P80 Advancement
Committee of 13 June 2012.
77.2 SEN12-P81 Arts
Committee of 17 April 2012.
77.3 SEN12-P82 Enterprise
Committee of 8 March and 10 May 2012.
77.4 SEN12-P83 Estates
Management Committee of 23 February and 26 April 2012.
77.5 SEN12-P84 Health,
Safety and Environmental Committee of 20 June 2012.
77.6 SEN12-P85 Research
Performance Monitoring Committee of 13 March, 17 April, and 15
May 2012.
12/78 Date of
Meetings in 2012-13
Wednesday 7 November 2012
Wednesday 23 January 2013 (if
required)
Wednesday 6 March 2013
Wednesday 26 June 2013
This item was unstarred to NOTE that there would not be an extraordinary
meeting on 12 October as stated. (Secretary’s Note: There will be an
extraordinary meeting of Senate on the morning of 11 October 2012).
12/79 Any Other Business
The Vice-Chancellor thanked existing and
former members of Senate for their significant contribution in the seven years
since her appointment.
On behalf of Senate, the PVC(T)
thanked the Vice-Chancellor for her immense contribution to the success of the
University since 2005 and the powerful legacy she would leave at Loughborough.
Author – Chris
Dunbobbin
Date – July 2012
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