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Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities

 

Faculty Board

 

SSH07-M1

 

Minutes

 

The Minutes of Meetings of the Faculty Board are posted on the Web for three years after the relevant date.

 

 

Minutes of the Meeting of the Faculty Board held on Tuesday 22 May 2007.

Members:  Professor Dave Allen, Professor Barbara Bagilhole, Professor Jon Beaverstock, Professor Stuart Biddle (ab), Dr Paul Byrne, Dr Ian Campbell (ab), Dr Alastair Cheyne, John Costello (ab), Dr Oliver Daddow (ab), Professor Ian Davidson, Dr Clive Edwards (ab), Huw Edwards (ab), Professor A P France, Johnny Hardstaff, Professor E A Hobby, Tony Hodgson, Dr Dennis Howitt,

Dr Phil Hubbard (ab), Professor Terry Kavanagh, Professor Malcolm King (ab), Dr Moya Lloyd (ab), Professor Joseph Maguire (ab), Robert Marshall (student representative) (ab), Dr Kate Moss-Brookes (ab), Graham Murdock (ab), Professor Shirley Pearce (ab), Nick Rodgers (ab), Phil Sawdon (ab), Professor Dennis Smith, Dr Chris Spray (ab), Dr David Stensel (ab), Ruth Stubbings (ab),

Dr Neal Swettenham (ab), Kerry Walton (ab), Dr Paul Wood (ab)

                                   

Apologies for absence:  Professor Stuart Biddle, Dr R I Campbell, Mr J Costollo, Dr O Daddow,

Dr C Edwards, Mr T H Edwards, Professor M King, Dr M Lloyd, Dr G Murdock, Mr P J Sawdon,

Dr C M Spray, Dr D J Stensel, Miss R Stubbings, Ms K Walton 

 

In attendance:  Sally McKinley (Secretary)

 

 

1.         Minutes  SSH06-M2

 

The Minutes of the Meeting of the Social Sciences and Humanities Faculty Board, held on Tuesday 14 November 2006, were CONFIRMED.

 

2.         Matters Arising from the Minutes Not Appearing Elsewhere on the Agenda

 

2.1              National Student Survey (item 15.3 (iii) refers)

NOTED:  The University’s response rate to the national student survey was 78%, 20% above the national average.  Congratulations were extended to all departments and Marie Kennedy for their hard work.

 

3.         Reports from the Dean and Associate Deans

 

 

 

3.1       Dean’s Report

 

(i)         Information Systems

NOTED:  Two major IT projects were currently being implemented.  The Loughborough University Student Information System (LUSI) was commencing well.  The next element to be targeted would be a new virtual learning environment using Moodle.  Agresso which was already being used in 40 universities in the UK would, hopefully, be online on 1 August 2007.  Administrators and relevant members of staff would be trained before the system became live and were advised to contact the Finance Office directly outlining any concerns they may have.

 

(ii)        British University Egypt (BUE)

NOTED:  The BUE trustee delegation would be visiting the University on 24 May 2007.  A Head of Department for the BUE Business School had recently been appointed. 

 

(iii)       Financial position

NOTED:  It had been an exceptional financial year for the Faculty with an initial surplus of £1.8m now reduced to £1.3m (after paying off part of the costs of the Business School building extension).  The next financial year was expecting a surplus in the region of six figures once more.  The financial position of the University in the next few years was also positive and was looking for an overall surplus in the region of £3m next year.  For the first time next year the Faculty of Science would be in surplus due in some part to an additional £1000 per student from the Funding Council for certain science based subjects.  The Board expressed their concern about current budgeting procedures with respect to the retention or use of surpluses. 

 

(iv)       New appointments

 

NOTED:  Some significant posts, Head of IT, Head of Estates, Head of Human Resources and Chief Operating Officer had been, or were shortly to be, advertised.   

 

3.2       The Associate Dean (Teaching) (SSH07-P1 electronically circulated)

 

(i)                 Recruitment update

 

NOTED:  Overall recruitment was healthy with a 10% increase in UK/EU undergraduate applications University-wide, the Faculty accounting for 55% of all applications.  All schools/departments were expected to meet their quota.  International applications had risen by 19%.  Home postgraduate taught continued to be low with 373 applications University-wide.  The AD(T) stressed the importance of ensuring home students to be made aware of postgraduate taught opportunities in their own and other departments.  International applications were up by 13% and applications from China were up by 14%.  The Faculty accounted for 58% of all postgraduate taught applications. 

 

(ii)        League tables

 

NOTED:  The University had been placed sixth out of 109 in The Times Top Universities Guide and ninth in the Guardian making Loughborough the top rated University in the East Midlands.  Loughborough University was also recently awarded the ‘Best Student Experience’ at the 2006 Times Higher Awards. 

 

(iii)       Annual Programme Reviews

 

NOTED:  APRs for 2005-06 were good across the board.  There was still concern about Programme Board procedures and the role of External Examiners. 

(iv)       British University in Egypt (BUE)

 

NOTED:  The response of the validation panel covering Business Studies, Economics, Political Science, Informatics and Computer Science had been positive with recommendations to Learning and Teaching Committee and Senate in June.  The calibre of newly recruited staff and students had been excellent.           

 

(v)        Institutional audit

 

NOTED:  The institutional audit would take place in Spring 2008.  The Faculty were advised they may be approached with requests for information but it was not clear yet as to which individuals the auditors would be contacting.

 

3.3       The Associate Dean (Research) (SSH07-P2)

 

(i)         New research magazine

NOTED:  Funding for a research magazine had been approved for one year.  The Board was reminded to continue to send information about research to the PVC(R). 

  

(ii)        Enterprise

NOTED:  The PVC(E) was in collaboration with IPSO Ventures, a specialist in commercialisation of University properties.  The AD(R) would circulate more details, when they became available, to the Board.

 

ACTION:  AD(R)

 

(iii)       Japan Society for the Promotion of Science

NOTED:  The Board were reminded that the deadline for the call of applications to the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science was 14 June 2007.

 

(iv)       Association of Commonwealth Universities/British Academy Fellowships   

 

NOTED:  Interested parties in the British academy Fellowships should contact the PVC(R).

 

(v)        Review of PG Studentships

 

NOTED:  A review of postgraduate studentships was currently taking place and it was hoped that this would coordinate the timing of development funding more efficiently.

 

(vi)       Research degree submission rate by department

 

NOTED:  The Research Committee had been examining the very variable submission rates of research degrees by departments over the last 4 years.  From the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities currently three departments were under 50% of their submission rate and three were at 50% of their submission rate.

 

(vii)      Continued study bursaries   

 

NOTED:  £1000 continued study bursaries were available from individual departments to Loughborough University home postgraduate students. 

 

 

(viii)      Prizes

 

NOTED:  Postgraduate prizes would be judged on 8 June 2007.

 

4.         Award of degrees (tabled)  

 

APPROVED:  The award of Higher Degrees to candidates whose examinations had been conducted since the last meeting of Senate.

 

 

5.                  Destination statistics for 2006 Graduates (paper tabled)

 

The Board RECEIVED a report from David Lilley, Careers Service.

NOTED:   All destination figures for 2005/06 were now available on the web.  For the Faculty it was an improvement on the previous year.  The percentage of those employed and in work and study (including part-time study and working and working while doing professional qualifications) rose for a second consecutive year from 69.2% to 73.4%.  Following a rise in 2005, unemployment had returned to 4.6% and the proportion of graduates continuing in full-time study also dropped back to 15.6%, the lowest rate for some years.  The percentage of graduates undertaking other activities, including travelling, remained similar.  

 

(i)         The percentage of students going into non graduate jobs across the University was on average 25%, in the Faculty it was 33%.

 

(ii)                87% of students took up employment following a placement year compared to 71.2% who were offered employment and had not undertaken a placement.

 

(iii)              The Careers Office had reported that 96 students in 2006 had been placed on work shadowing and it was anticipated that 125 students would be placed on work shadowing in 2007.

 

(iv)              Yvonne Handly had taken up the role of Employability Development Advisor in the Careers Office to enhance Loughborough University Award achievements; the alumni careers database; work experience and the development of students’, departments’ and employers’ work opportunities.  Departments would shortly be receiving a questionnaire on employability skills.

 

(v)               The Careers Office job of the year for 2006 had been awarded to a Design and Technology graduate for the development of ‘a chocolate experience’ for Master Foods and a starting salary of £29k.

 

The Board commented that although a longitudinal survey would be expensive and time consuming, it would be useful to know where students had got to in 3-4 years time.  Bearing in mind the University was known for its employer engagement, Board members were reminded that students and departments should carry out personal development planning using RAPID.  Explicit marketing of placements was crucial as were other elements such as the issue of accommodation being sorted out well in advance.

 

 

6.                  Changes to Ordinance XV, Study Leave (SSH07-P4)

 

NOTED:  The Board were content with the changes.

 

 

7.         Periodic Programme Review

 

The Board RECEIVED a verbal report from the AD(T).

 

NOTED:  Congratulations were extended to the Business School on their very successful PPR.  The school was commended in particular for its innovative work on the Placement Year. Some inconsistencies on coursework assignment feedback and the provision of electronic learning resources, teaching space and the timetabling of examinations were still an issue.  The AD(T) would relate back to the relevant management committees the problem of exam board timing in relation to the summer which take place much later compared to other institutions.    

 

 

8.         Health and Life Sciences Research School

The Board RECEIVED a verbal report from Professor David Williams.

 

NOTED:  The scope for the Health and Life Sciences Research School was to provide a definition to Healthcare that would compliment existing activity and provide new and nationally distinctive research.  Deliverable to the DVC, the school would build on the University’s track record of relationships with industry, encourage income generation by fostering cross disciplinary working between departments and also inform teaching.

 

The healthcare agenda was now visible with new appointments and a physical environment.  An interim advisory group had been set up and some outcomes were already in evidence eg regional networking with EMDA and Healthcare INET, an EPSRC proposal in regenerative medicine area £3.5m and a similar proposal in Built Environment £1.5m.

 

The school’s objectives for 2006-07 were to install and operate the school’s processes; create and maintain a web structure; increase an internal understanding of capabilities and ensure it had early sight of big bidding opportunities with Research Office staff.  The school, and its advisory group, hoped to encourage and support the growth of untapped health and life science research areas in the University. 

 

 

9.         Establishment of History at Loughborough (SSH07-P5 electronically circulated)

 

The Board RECEIVED a proposal from Professor Dave Allen reintroducing History as an undergraduate subject at Loughborough University commencing October 2008 but more probably 2009.

AGREED:  The Board supported the proposal for History to be reintroduced as a joint honours programme.  The AD(T), Professor Allan and the Faculty Finance Accountant would produce a robust business plan to accompany the proposal when submitted to Operations Sub Committee.

 

ACTION:  AD(T), Professor Allan, Faculty Finance Accountant

 

 

10.              University Strategic Plan (item 18 refers)

 

The Board RECEIVED a verbal report from the Dean.

 

NOTED:  The final draft of the strategic plan would be submitted to Senate in June.

 

 

 

11.       Associate Dean (Teaching) Action

 

RATIFIED:  Actions taken by the Associate Dean (Teaching) in approving the following:

i.          Waivers of Programme Regulations

ii.          Appointment of Programme Boards

iii.                  Credit Transfers

 

Further details of the actions were available from the Faculty Board Secretary upon request.

 

12.       Appointment of Examiners of the University, External Examiners and External  Programme Assessors

 

NOTED:  Details of appointments made by the AD(T) were available from the Faculty Board Secretary on request.

 

13.       External Examiner Reports

 

NOTED:  Reports of External Examiner’s had been deposited with the Faculty Board Secretary and were available for consultation on request.

 

14.       Personal Titles

 

NOTED:  The following personal titles had been awarded and the Faculty offered their congratulations:

 

Dr Michael Pickering (Social Sciences) - Personal Chair in Media and
Cultural Studies

Dr Phillip Hubbard (Geography) - Personal Chair in Human Geography

 

15.       Curriculum Sub-Committee

 

15.1     Changes to Programme Title/Awards

 

NOTED:  Curriculum Sub-Committee will be recommending the following proposed programme title changes to Learning and Teaching Committee, prior to their meeting on 7 June 2007 (effective date shown in brackets):

 

BSc Sport and Leisure Management to BSc Sport Management (October 2008 entry)

BSc Geography and Sport and Leisure Management to BSc Geography and Sport Management (October 2007 entry)

MSc Sport and Leisure Management to MSc Sport Management (October 2007 entry)

 

15.2     New Programme Proposals

 

NOTED:  Curriculum Sub-Committee will be recommending to Learning and Teaching Committee prior to their meeting on 7 June 2007 a programme proposal from the Department of English and Drama for a new full-time/part-time MA in English with effect from October 2007.

 

16.       Staff/Student Committees

 

NOTED:  Reports of Staff/Student Committee meetings had been deposited with the Faculty Board Secretary as follows:

Department

Level

Date

Business School

Postgraduate Diploma in Management: HEA

31 October 2006, 14 March 2007

Business School

MBA Semester One

28 November 2006

Business School

MSc Management/MSc International Management/MSc Marketing & Management/MSc Finance & Management

6 December 2006

Business School

MBA Semester Two

17 April 2007

Economics

UG

28 February 2007

English and Drama

All

6 December 2006, 14 March 2007

Geography

All

8 November 2006, 21 February 2007

 

17.       Membership of Faculty Board

SSH06-P31

 

NOTED:  There were 7 vacancies for elected departmental representatives of the Faculty Board for the session 2007-2008:

Business School (1)

Department of Economics (1)

Department of Geography (2)

School of Sport and Exercise Science (1)

LUSAD (2)

 

18.       Any Other Business

 

NOTED:  Concern was expressed that about the poor attendance of the meeting.  It was agreed that the University had a strong faculty structure and it was therefore important that Board members attended the only two Faculty Board meetings per year.  It was suggested that Faculty Board members should receive a brief headline report from Directorate prior to a Faculty Board meeting to encourage them to attend and inform them of activities that had been discussed recently at Directorate level.

 

19.       Date of Next Meeting

The next Faculty Board meeting will take place prior to a Directorate meeting on Tuesday 13 November 2007 at 9.30 am in the Council Chamber, Admin 2.

 

Author – Ms S J McKinley
May 2007

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