Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities

Faculty Board

SSH11-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 24 May 2011.

Members: Professor Terry Kavanagh (Chair), Professor Dave Allen (ab), Dr Malcolm Barnard (ab), Dr Anja Baumhoff (ab), Grahame Boocock, Dr Carly Butler, Dr Ian Campbell,

Dr Sudipto Chatterjee (ab), Professor Laurie Cohen, Dr Daniel Conway (ab),

Professor Duncan Cramer, Dr Jack Demaine, Professor Alan France (ab), Dr Adrian Gourlay (ab),

Dr John Harrison (ab), Professor Elaine Hobby, Tony Hodgson, Dr David Howe, Dr Brian Jarvis (ab), Dr Ruth Kinna, Professor Angus Laing (ab), Dr Jeremy Leaman (ab), Professor Marsha Meskimmon,

Dr Jonathan Millett, Professor Myra Nimmo (ab), Professor Shirley Pearce (ab),

Professor Jonathan Potter, Dr Line Nyhagen Predelli, Professor Helen Rendell,

Professor Anne Souchon (ab), Ruth Stubbings (ab), A Widdowson (ab), Mark Wright

Apologies for absence: Professor Dave Allen, Dr Malcolm Barnard, Dr Anja Baumhoff,

Dr Sudipto Chatterjee, Dr Daniel Conway, Professor Alan France, Dr Adrian Gourlay,

Dr John Harrison, Dr Brian Jarvis, Professor Angus Laing, Dr Jeremy Leaman,

Professor Myra Nimmo, Professor Shirley Pearce, Professor Anne Souchon,

Ruth Stubbings, A Widdowson,

In attendance: Sally McKinley (Secretary)

1. Minutes (SSH10-M2)

NOTED: The minutes of the Meeting of the Social Sciences and Humanities Faculty Board, held on Tuesday 9 November 2010 were CONFIRMED.

2. Dean’s and Associate Dean’s Reports

2.1 The Dean

RECEIVED: A verbal report from the Dean

Each financial year the Faculty had returned an improved business plan. Most of the new Schools were in good shape with the Design School next year showing a surplus of £1m. The School of the Arts, English and Drama and the School of Social, Political and Geographical Sciences will, on the other hand, be in deficit due to a QR reduction and a reduction of arts and humanities funding.

There was much uncertainty in Higher Education and predicated a very tough economic picture over the next five years or so. Many institutions were considering ways at making themselves look more robust in a challenging environment. The Browne Review’s recognition of the commodification of Higher Education had caused much distress across the sector. As a result managing student expectations will be very challenging and there was a need by Universities to articulate to students what they will actually provide. It was confirmed that the University was moving forward with a marketing strategy and had already produced information explaining the introduction of the £9K tuition fee. It was emphasised that the onus of delivery to students was the responsibility of individual Schools and in the light of increasing student consumerism a strong approach with developed systems in place was required to manage such major changes.

Pensions were an on-going issue with industrial action expected shortly. With the departure of Will Spinks to the University of Manchester the University was seeking a new Chief Operating Officer. Professor Chris Linton had been appointed Deputy Vice-Chancellor. The University was preparing for the REF, which was particularly challenging for the arts since the concentration of funding for research will almost certainly be concentrated in science and engineering subjects.

2.2 The Associate Dean (Teaching) (SSH11-P1)

RECEIVED: A report from the Associate Dean (Teaching)

(i) Recruitment

NOTED: EU/UK undergraduate applications had been good although recruitment for Ergonomics was low. There had been a high number of insurance offers for some departments and Central Admissions may be required to hold decisions on applications in August to ensure recruitment meets target.

(ii) International undergraduate and EU/UK PGT

NOTED: It was expected targets would be met.

(iii) International PGT

NOTED: China was still dominating applications. The International Office was looking to increase numbers from India to change the balance.

(iv) PGT Open Days

NOTED: There was concern that the event was not meeting its purpose and it was noticed that many of the students attended towards the end of the day. No decision had been made so far about the function of future PGT open days.

(v) English language requirements

NOTED: Where applications were high, Schools will be encouraged to base their offers on IELTS 7 or equivalent.

(vi) Access Agreement

NOTED: The proposal had been sent to OFFA and the teams were expected to modify the bid but this would not be confirmed until July. The Admissions team were keen to ensure that the recruitment processes were effectively managed and integrated as part of the University re-structuring. Their priority was to work in collaboration with the new Schools to attract high-quality entrants and attract and retain applicants from disadvantaged backgrounds.

(vii) NSS

NOTED: The NSS had been successfully completed.

(viii) E-learning

NOTED: Further discussions were being held about the development of a new standard of minimal presence on Learn.

(ix) PPR/APR

NOTED: PPRs had been scheduled for Geography and English and Drama. A schedule for new Schools had been circulated. Meetings about the format and timing of APRs following re-structuring had been held with the view to streamlining the reporting requirements and integrating the process with the NSS results analysis.

2.3 The Associate Dean (Research) (SSH11-P2)

RECEIVED: A report from the Dean on behalf of the Associate Dean (Research)

(i) Studentships

NOTED: Fifty-three awards were available and departments and Schools had been notified how they will work. The applications deadline was 15 June 2011.

One of the East Midlands’ leading businessmen, Lord Glendonbrook (formerly Sir Michael Bishop), had donated £1million to Loughborough University. The Glendonbrook Doctoral Fellowships will provide full funding to postgraduate students studying for a PhD at the University.

Studentships would now be dealt with on a School-wide basis.

(ii) REF

NOTED: For information a new timetable for the REF was available on the web.

3. Award of Degrees (tabled)

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

4. The new organisation of the University

RECEIVED: A verbal report from the Dean.

NOTED: The Project Management Board, chaired by the Vice-Chancellor, had managed the change in structure. Several sub-groups had been appointed to support the PMB that included:

(i) Governance Group

NOTED: The group examined statues, regulations and committee changes.

(ii) Teaching and Learning Group

NOTED: The PVC(T) and team had been rationalising aspects of teaching and learning activity. The new AD roles had been considered that would consist of .4 of a post. However, the work load was still not identified completely and would be monitored.

(iii) Infrastructure Group

NOTED: The group was set up to ensure the efficiency of IT structures especially the links between the support services and Schools, the electronic University calendar and Outlook etc.

(iv) HR Working Group

NOTED: The group ensured members of Faculty staff moved into other areas of work. They were also looking at probation monitoring, promotion and redundancy, and other matters traditionally handled by the Faculties.

FURTHER COMMENTS:

NOTED: The School of the Arts had their first formal meeting on 16 May 2011. It had appointed Teaching and Learning Coordinators from departments and was working with transitional arrangements. The business plan was challenging for the School particularly with respect to funding arrangements but was seeking to off-set financial difficulties with the recruitment of more international students. The School had also reduced its space to reduce costs.

The Design School had been insitu since the start of the academic year with its own Project Management Board. It was now in a position to assess implementation of the School during the past year and reflect on the University-wide structure. There was some concern about a one-size fits all strategy as all Schools were different. It also felt that some of the Schools and their interaction with the Centre was similar to a mini-faculty approach.

5. Consultation on an Ethical Policy Framework (SSH11-P3)

RECEIVED: A report on the University’s Ethical Policy Framework from Professor Steve Rothberg, Dean of Engineering.

NOTED: The ethical policy framework was drawn up at the request of the Vice-Chancellor in response to an increasing number of challenges to the University’s ethical position concerning a variety of its activities. The three Faculty Boards were asked to submit suggestions and comments by the end of May in preparation for a draft submission of the document to Senate in July.

The framework spanned all areas of University activity and was drawn from the University Strategy. With the introduction of the framework, a new ethics committee structure would be established, and a new overarching Ethics Committee would be charged with advising Council on ethical matters arising in the conduct of the University’s business.

Members commented that the check lists appeared to be written for particular types of investigation and it was timely that these were being re-visited. The BOARD agreed that the document was well put together which would encourage operationalization of a very vague area.

6. Graduate Destination Data (SSH11-P4)

RECEIVED: A presentation from Jonathan Wolff, Careers Advisor, Careers Centre.

NOTED: A higher proportion of graduates from the Faculty had reported being in employment resulting in an increase of 2.7% compared with 2009 to 67.4%. Student unemployment figures were at a similar rate to 2009 and were varied across departments and schools. However, more graduates from the Faculty were successful in entering graduate-level occupations in 2010 than in 2009. As expected, students from some subject areas found it more difficult than others to secure employment, but many embarked upon relevant work experience required by their chosen professions. Fewer graduates chose to continue further study in 2010 although there were fluctuations across subject areas. The Careers Office reported that some changes were being made to the office and website. There was to be an increase in the focus on helping student become more employable with 15 minute appointments being made available to students and to include a follow-up 45 minute appointment. Two major new systems were being introduced advertising on-line events, road shows and job vacancies. Graduate profiles were being created and put on the web. Students would be encouraged to apply for the Employability Award. The Faculty extended their thanks and appreciation to the Careers Office for their hard work.

7. 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.

8. Curriculum Sub-Committee

8.1 New Programme Proposals

NOTED: That Curriculum Sub-Committee will be recommending to Learning and Teaching Committee (subject to any matters being resolved to the satisfaction of the ADT) prior to their meeting on 9 June 2011, the award and title of the following proposed new programmes:

(i) BSc Business Studies with Banking and Finance (Singapore) commencing August 2011.

(ii) MA in Digital Media and Society commencing October 2012.

(iii) BA Hons Graphic Communication and Illustration commencing October 2013.

8.2 Changes in Title or Awards of Programmes

NOTED: That Curriculum Sub-Committee will be recommending to Learning and Teaching Committee prior to their meeting on 9 June 2011, the changes in the award and titles of the following programmes:

(i) MSc Sports Science to MSc Sport and Exercise Science

(ii) MSc Physical Activity and Health to MSc Physical Activity and Public Health

(iii) MSc Globalization, Space and Sport to MSc Globalization and Sport

(iv) MSc Global Transformations to MSc Globalization and Society

8.3 Proposal to discontinue a programme

NOTED: That Curriculum Sub-Committee will be recommending to Learning and Teaching Committee prior to their meeting on 9 June 2011, proposals to discontinue the following programmes:

(i) BSc (Hons) Economics with Sociology date of last intake September 2011

(ii) BSc (Hons) Economics with Social Policy date of last intake September 2011

(iii) PGCert Management and Leadership (Federation of Sports & Play Associations), no intakes in the last five years

(iv) MSc Strategic Automotive Dealership Management (Malaysia), no intakes to date.

(v) Foundation Degree Sports Performance date of last intake 2007-08.

(vi) Foundation Degree Exercise Science, Physical Activity & Health date of last intake 2008-09.

8.4 Proposal to suspend a programme

NOTED: That Curriculum Sub-Committee will be recommending to Learning and Teaching Committee prior to their meeting on 9 June 2011, proposals to suspend the following programmes:

(i) MSc Research Methods (European and International Studies), date of last intake 4 October 2010 recruitment being resumed October 2012.

(ii) MSc/PGDip/PGCert Management and Leadership (Association for Consultancy & Engineering) proposed next intake 2012/13.

(iii) MSc/PGDip/PGCert Medical Management, proposed next intake 2012/13.

9. Staff/Student Committees

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

School of Business & Economics (Department of Economics - Postgraduate)	8 Dec 2010, 2 March 2011
School of Business & Economics (Department of Economics - Undergraduate)	12 May 2010, 10 November 2010, 9 March 2011
Department of Geography	17 November 2010, 9 March 2011
MBA (School of Business & Economics)	11 Jan 2011, 22 March 2011
MSc Management/MSc International Management/MSc Marketing & Management/MSc Finance & Management/MSc Business Analysis & Management (School of Business & Economics)	1 Dec 2010, 23 March 2011
Department of Ergonomics	11 March 2010

10. Any other business

NOTED: The Faculty was established in the mid-90’s commencing with Professor John Feather as the first Dean of a slightly different Faculty configuration, followed by Professor Ian Morrison, Professor Phil Roberts and lastly Professor Terry Kavanagh.

Some significant changes had occurred during the lifespan of the Faculty including the restructuring of the language departments into, what is today, the Department of Politics, History and International Relations. Professor Ian Davidson had made a significant and positive difference to the School of Business and Economics. The College of Art had been subsumed into the University. Notable successes included the Department of Social Sciences having two very successful RAEs under Professor Peter Golding’s leadership. The last RAE in the Design School showed it to be the top submission in its field. The School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences continued to be top in Sports Sciences. There had been a significant growth in international students. The Faculty had done well in terms of new buildings eg. the School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, the Business School, the Design School, to be opened in October, and many vital refurbishments such as the Martin Theatre.

The Dean expressed his enjoyment in his role over the years and conveyed his thanks to the Associate Deans and Faculty Board Secretary and all those colleagues who had been members of the Board over the last nine years.

Author – Ms S J McKinley
May 2011