Senate

Subject: Proposals for Changes to the Composition of Committees required under the New University Structure

Origin: Structure Implementation Project Management Board and Academic Governance Working Group

Executive Summary:

This paper summarises the proposals from the Academic Governance Group, endorsed by the Project Management Board, for changes to the composition and terms of reference of major Committees required under the new University structure. It also proposes that the current informal IT Committee be incorporated into the committee structure. Changes to remaining committees which are still under discussion will be brought to Senate in July.

Action Required:

Senate is asked to approve the specific recommendations with a view their submission to Council on 1 April 2011.

Background

The Academic Governance Working Group has undertaken a review of the composition of all major University committees in light of the changes to the University structure. The Committees were initially grouped into those which required amendment and those which would be unaffected.

Where the remit of a committee which requires amendment falls within the remit of one of the other structure implementation working groups, there has generally been interaction between that group and the Governance Group. Where this is not the case, the committee concerned has generally been asked to consider proposals for amendments. As the work has progressed and current arrangements have been reviewed by the relevant groups, proposals have also emerged for some specific changes to the committee structure.

In the attached proposals, 3 School Deans are proposed to act as representatives of all the Schools, replacing the 3 Faculty Deans, on three important committees. The number of 3 Deans has been chosen because it was felt to be the smallest number that would enable reasonable reflection of the diversity of disciplines across the University and to guarantee that issues of availability did not risk the School Deans being unrepresented at some meetings.

The following papers setting out further details are attached:

· Annex A setting out detailed proposals on the committees relating to Learning & Teaching, Research and Enterprise

· Annex B Proposed Terms of Reference and Composition of the IT Committee

Senate is asked to consider and approve for onward transmission to Council:

1. The recommendations for changes to the composition and terms of reference of Learning & Teaching Committee and Research Committee (Annex A). Proposals for revised terms of reference for the Research Committee will be tabled as they are currently being revised to include reference to the Research Schools and Graduate School and a stronger statement about the enhancement of the experience of research students.

2. The recommendation for the creation of a new Enterprise Committee to be a joint committee of Senate and Council. The current Enterprise Board is to be renamed the Enterprise Advisory Board and to become a sub-committee of the Enterprise Committee whilst providing independent input to Council via Senate and the Enterprise Committee. Recommendations for the compositions and terms of reference are set out in Annex A.

The PVC(E) has indicated that the future of the current Enterprise Projects Group is under consideration in light of external factors.

3. The recommendation that the Faculty Deans not be replaced in the composition of Operations Committee. Deans of School will be invited to attend when required to present major proposals from their Schools.

4. That the 3 Faculty Deans be replaced by 3 School Deans on the following committees:

Health, Safety and Environment

Human Resources

Advancement

5. That the current 3 Faculty and 3 Senate representatives on the Prizes Committee be replaced by 5 School representatives to serve for three years and to be rotated to ensure membership from all 10 Schools staggered over time.

6. That the Head of Department included in the composition of Estates Management Committee be re-designated as a Head of School.

7. The formalisation of the existing IT Committee with the terms of reference and set out in Annex B. It is proposed that the IT Committee be a joint committee of Senate and Council. The composition of the committee is still under discussion and final proposals will be presented to Senate in July.

8. Honorary Degrees Committee and Medal Committee - It is proposed that these committees be combined into one (Honorary Degrees and University Medal Committee) with the following composition:

Vice-Chancellor (Chair)

Provost and Deputy Vice-Chancellor

3 PVCs

Chief Operating Officer

Director of Development and Alumni Relations

This is a similar composition to the present Honorary Degrees Committee excluding the Faculty Deans and replacing the Director of Finance with the Director of Development and Alumni Relations. It is envisaged that School Deans and Heads of Support Services will make and comment on proposals for awards but will not take part in final decisions.