SSH97-M5
[Minutes]
The Minutes of Ordinary Meetings of the Faculty Board are also available on the
Information Gateway for three years after the relevant date.
- Minutes of the Seventh (Ordinary) Meeting of the Faculty Board held on
Tuesday, 28 October 1997.
Professor I C Morison (Chair)
Dr C Antaki Dr M D W Mangan (ab)
Dr J Arnold (ab) Mr W P J Maunder
Dr J V Beaverstock Dr M E Nevill
Mr D J Bunker Dr E J Pentecost
Mr M F Collins (ab) Professor I Reid
Professor S J Cox (ab) Professor P H Roberts
Dr P D Dine (ab) Professor M Shaw (ab)
Mr L M Drake (ab) Professor P J Taylor
Ms N D Fenton Ms M Threlfall
Professor A G Hargreaves Dr J J Vagg
Professor M R Hill (ab) Mr D R F Walker
Mr A R Hodgson Professor D J Wallace (ab)
Ms K Hughes (ab) Mr M Wallis (ab)
Mr T P Jones Professor T G Weyman-Jones
Professor M King (ab) Dr P Wild
Mr P R King (ab) Ms H Woodward
Professor M R A Lister
In attendance: Ms P J Rouse
By invitation Mr T Kavanagh
Dr C Rhodes
Mr H Jones (for item 66)
Mr J Walker (for items 65 and 66)
Apologies for Absence: Dr Arnold, Professor Cox
Dr Dine, Mr Drake
Professor Hill, Professor King
Mr King, Professor Shaw
-
- (SSH 97:M3)
-
- The Minutes of the Fifth (Ordinary) Meeting of the Social Sciences and
Humanities Faculty Board, held on 20 May 1997, were confirmed and
signed.
-
- Qualifications for Admission to Postgraduate Study (SSH97-M3, Min.
35.2)
-
- The Board noted that at its 314th Meeting, held on 27 June 1997, Senate
approved qualifications for admission to postgraduate study as recommended by
the Faculty Boards.
- (i)
- Teaching Quality Assessment of Drama
-
- Congratulations were extended to staff in the Department of English and
Drama on attaining a score of 23 out of 24 in the recent Teaching Quality
Assessment of Drama.
- (ii)
- Faculty Information Technology (IT) Support
-
- The review of Faculty IT support was almost complete and would shortly
yield recommendations for the development of more effective and efficient
support.
-
- A member expressed concern at having learned of the proposed withdrawal of
certain data entry services currently provided by Computing Services. This
would adversely affect research projects which had been planned with an
expectation that the service would be available. The matter would be raised by
the Dean in a forthcoming meeting with Dr Negus. Any further concerns
regarding the proposed withdrawal of the service should be addressed to the
Dean within the next week.
- (iii)
- Faculty Funds
-
- The Faculty Strategic funding was in a reasonably sound position for the
1997-98 academic session. This was partly a function of a virtual doubling of
the financial space credit to the Faculty. Members were advised that the
future phasing out of central supplementation for deficit Departments would
result in a larger proportion of resources going into FRASL and this was
expected to be of significant financial benefit to the Faculty overall.
However, the University as a whole would continue to suffer further pressure on
the unit of resource.
- (iv)
- Faculty Operational Plan
-
- A draft Operational Plan for the Faculty would be considered by the
Directorate at its meeting on 3 November 1997.
- (v)
- Development Funding for Research
-
- Progress was being made with appointments supported by the Development Fund
for Research. In relation to appointments in the Department of Physical
Education, Sports Science and Recreation Management, a Chair in Recreation
Management had been filled from 1 October 1997 by the promotion of Dr I
Henry, Dr S Biddle had been appointed to a Chair in Sports Psychology and
the Appointment Board for a Chair in Physical Education and Sport would meet in
November.
- (vi)
- Director of the Business School
-
- Following the resignation of Professor J Saunders to take up the
appointment of Director of the Business School at Aston, Professor King had
been appointed Acting Director of the Business School.
- (vii)
- Loughborough College of Art and Design (LCAD)
-
- The merger of the University with LCAD would commence from August 1998.
(SSH97-P36)
-
- The Board received a report from the Associate Dean (Teaching). Attention
was drawn to the following matters in particular:
- (i)
- Recruitment
-
- Recruitment of students in the Faculty for 1998 entry was now down by 40%
in the latest information, however, this situation might change in subsequent
weekly data. Departmental information on this would be available in the next
few days. Entry targets for 1998 were still awaited. It was anticipated that
intake targets in certain subject areas would be increased.
- (ii)
- Modules
-
- One member expressed the view that it was inappropriate that details of
module registrations should be collected above Departmental level with a view
to determining their viability in the context of module rationalisation. In
response the alternative view was put that pressures on resources were such
that it was difficult for Departments in deficit to defend on purely pedagogic
grounds running modules with very small numbers of students. It was generally
felt that the uncritical imposition of module reduction targets would be
unhelpful and that a range of factors, including quality and efficiency issues,
should be considered in Departments. Overall members recognised the importance
of this issue and were conscious that, whilst it would be difficult to achieve
a unified faculty-wide approach, it was necessary to be aware of low levels of
module registration and to consider their justification.
-
- (SSH97-P37)
- (i)
- Postgraduate Training Course
-
- The Postgraduate Training Course was operating well. In response to a
query regarding the availability to Research Supervisors of material regarding
this training, it was RESOLVED that Professor Taylor should look into the
particular case identified.
- (ii)
- Faculty Operational Plan for Research
-
- The Board considered a discussion paper entitled `Towards an Operational
Plan for Research'. This had been revised following consideration at a recent
meeting of the Faculty Directorate.
-
- In relation to section 1 of the paper, addressing the question of selective
support for research, it was suggested that open competition for Faculty
research support might have to be carefully reviewed in the light of the
Strategic Plan, to facilitate different patterns of support customised to meet
each department's needs. One member was concerned that the commitment to fair
competition should be assured, and at the potential dangers of such a system in
failing to guarantee equal opportunities and fair treatment on gender and other
grounds. It was suggested, however, that the system could be operated in the
framework of a more developed approach featuring appropriate checks and
balances to guard against inequalities. Other members voiced support for this
approach in targeting support according to specific departmental needs. This
would offer Departments a choice in the channelling of funds. It was RESOLVED
that members should address their detailed views on the issues raised in the
paper directly to Heads of Departments to channel into further consideration of
this by the Directorate, and that Professor Taylor should discuss directly with
the member concerned the equal opportunities issues.
-
- As a mechanism to increase research student numbers, it was suggested that
support should be provided for students over three years, to undertake a taught
Masters degree in year one and then to carry out research for a further two
years.
-
- In discussion on multi-disciplinary research, it was suggested that in
future the Vice-Chancellor might be invited to visit research groupings rather
than Departments only. The need to encourage multi-disciplinary research and
the high profile this was given in the University Strategic Plan was
acknowledged. Members were also reminded that in certain disciplines, such as
Economics, research output focused in the mainstream of the discipline was more
highly valued in the recent Research Assessment Exercise (RAE). Environmental
studies was one area identified as suitable for cross departmental and cross
Faculty research collaboration.
-
- The Board noted that each Department would need to closely monitor its
progress in meeting individual targets for the next RAE.
-
- SSH97-P37a Attached
-
- The Board received a presentation from Mr J Walker, Development
Co-ordinator, on the rôle and goals of the Development Unit and Alumni
Association in the context of the work of the External Relations Office.
-
- The importance of maintaining good relations with external clients,
throughout the whole University, to ensure a good corporate image was
emphasised. Members were advised that the Alumni Office could provide
specialist lists of alumni to Departments from its database. This would
facilitate the targeting of alumni on a range of different criteria such as
age, area of study, current employment and location. It was not yet known
whether alumni with more than one degree favoured their first or later
institution of study more. It was noted that some alumni acted as career
mentors to advise current students of their experience in a particular
profession. The importance of Departments in managing the relationship with
alumni, sponsors and donors was vital, it being the academic staff member or
members who frequently established the contact. The External Relations Office
would then support and liaise with the academic concerned, and, if appropriate
widen the relationship. The External Relations Office recognised that
Faculties had different needs. The Social Sciences and Humanities Faculty, for
example, was seen as placing greater importance on networks of academics and
the External Relations Office sought to provide appropriate support for
this.
-
- [Secretary's Note: A copy of the information provided in the
presentation (SSH97-P37a) is attached to these Minutes]
-
- (SSH97-P38)
-
- The Board received and considered a paper which had been submitted to
Council by the Vice-Chancellor. Mr H Jones, Senior Assistant Registrar, was
welcomed to the meeting for discussion on issues raised in the paper.
-
- In relation to student recruitment for entry in 1998, Mr Jones reported
that current indications suggested that the University might have difficulty in
meeting its target intake. The latest data showed a 30% decline in home
undergraduate applications to the University overall, although the record
remained unstable at this stage and the situation might improve. Nevertheless,
it was expected that overall fewer undergraduate applications would be received
and greater emphasis on public relations initiatives would be essential to
preserve and expand the market share. There were suggestions nationally that
the recent Government Policy initiatives to phase out all maintenance grants
and to introduce student contributions of £1,000 to tuition fee costs had
adversely affected recruitment to Higher Education.
-
- In relation to the expansion of scholarships and bursary schemes within the
action plan outlined in the Paper, it was noted that in particular the
University of Bath operated a very good scholarship scheme already and the
University must be conscious of the need to maintain a competitive edge in this
area by offering attractive schemes. Whilst the initiatives outlined would
only benefit directly a limited number of students, the schemes were regarded
as important in the overall marketing and culture of the institution.
-
- One member particularly welcomed the suggestion that Faculties must
re-assess their policies on the award of postgraduate scholarships and
requested the introduction of flexibility to encourage the recruitment of
students to postgraduate taught courses.
-
- Members queried the elasticity of the market for part-time students in
relation to the proposed increase in fees for such students. There was some
concern that this might adversely affect recruitment to taught postgraduate
courses and it was hoped that a cautious approach might be adopted.
-
- In the context of the proposed expansion of sponsorship, it was noted that
individual student sponsorship had been in decline for some time and within
this Faculty there was significant sponsorship only in the Business School. It
was suggested that a more imaginative approach might be possible to stimulate
new types of sponsorship, such as for students in their final year. It was
suggested that data might be collected on the percentage of graduates who
received employer assistance with their student loans as this information could
be used in positive marketing. Mr Walker reported that alumni regarded
assisting students in attending University more favourably than supporting
corporate ventures.
-
- At a recent meeting of Faculty Admissions Tutors members had emphasised the
importance of providing suitable hospitality at visits of prospective students
and parents in addition to good publicity material. The visit day provided a
key opportunity to positively influence the preferences of attenders and
convert a higher percentage into undergraduates here. It was reported that the
University of York provided a personal programme plus lunch for parents and
prospective student visits. Members were informed that Loughborough College of
Art and Design was mindful of the need to maintain competitive edge in
recruitment and specifically targeted teaching staff with responsibility for
advising prospective students and also used the existing students to advertise
the institution. Mr Jones reported that discussions were underway with the LSU
President regarding the development of prospective student receptions organised
by LSU. Thanks were expressed to Mr Jones and Mr Walker for their
contributions to the meeting.
-
- It was RESOLVED that
- the Associate Dean (Teaching) should consider the organisation of a
Faculty event for teachers and sixth formers, as similar events had proved
popular in the other Faculties.
- the Communications and Publicity Officer should be invited to attend the
next meeting of the Board for discussion on University marketing issues.
-
- The Board RESOLVED to ratify the action of the Associate Dean (Teaching) in
approving Programme Regulations for 1997-98.
-
- (SSH97-P39)
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- The Board RESOLVED to ratify the action of the Associate Dean (Teaching) in
approving immediate effect amendments to the following for 1997-98
- Honours Degree in English
- Part-time Honours Degree in English
- Honours Degree in English and Physical Education, Sports Science and
Recreation Management
- Joint Honours Degree in English and the History of Art and Design
-
- (SSH97-P40)
-
- The Board NOTED its constitution and powers.
-
- (SSH97-P41)
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- The Board NOTED its membership for the session 1997-98, with a correction
to the list to read Professor rather than Dr Hargreaves.
-
- (SSH97-P42)
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- The Board NOTED representation of the Faculty on other bodies.
-
- (SSH97-P43)
-
- This was NOTED.
-
- The Board NOTED decisions of the Curriculum Sub-Committee in relation to
the following:
- (i)
- Proposal from the Business School for the introduction of a new
self-financing MSc in Retail Automotive Management (Ford).
-
- Approved for recommendation to Teaching and Learning Committee, subject to
further action by the Chair.
-
- (SSH97-P44)
- (ii)
- Proposals from the Business School for the introduction of new
self-financing versions of the Professional Certificate/Diploma in Management
(Ford).
-
- Approved for recommendation to Teaching and Learning Committee, subject to
further action by the Chair.
-
- (SSH97-P45)
- (iii)
- Proposal from the Business School for the introduction of a part-time
self-financing MBA (Information and Library Management), a revised version of a
programme originally approved by the Inter School Curriculum Committee in
November 1994, but not yet offered.
-
- Approved for recommendation to Teaching and Learning Committee.
-
- (SSH97-P46)
- (iv)
- Proposal from the Business School for the introduction of a part-time
self-financing MBA (Sport and Leisure Management), a revised version of the MBA
(Leisure Management) originally approved by the Curriculum Sub-Committee in
October 1995 but subsequently `shelved'.
-
- Approved for recommendation to Teaching and Learning Committee.
-
- (SSH97-P47)
- (v)
- Proposal from the Business School to change the programme title of the BA
in European Business to BA in International Business.
-
- Approved for recommendation to Teaching and Learning Committee.
-
- (SSH97-P48)
-
(SSH97-P49)
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- The Board NOTED that the Sub-Committee ratified the action of it's Chair in
approving proposals from the Department of Physical Education, Sports Science
and Recreation Management for the introduction of new BSc programmes
in:
- Physical Education and Sports Science with English
- Physical Education and Sports Science with Mathematics
- Physical Education and Sports Science with Economics
-
- The Board NOTED also that these proposals were subsequently approved by the
PVC(T) on behalf of the Teaching and Learning Committee and by the
Vice-Chancellor on behalf of Senate for inclusion in the University's
undergraduate portfolio in 1997-98. As approval is for the current academic
year only, further proposals would need to be submitted for their inclusion in
the portfolio thereafter.
-
- The Board NOTED that the Sub-Committee ratified the action of it's Chair in
approving a proposal from the Business School that the Diploma in Industrial
Studies be replaced by the Diploma in Professional Studies in all undergraduate
programmes in the Business School with effect from the 1997-98 session.
-
- The Board NOTED that the BA Programme in English and Drama has been deleted
with effect from the end of the 1996-97 session, no students remaining on the
Programme. The discontinuation of the Programme was anticipated in the
proposals for the BA in Drama with English as a minor subject, which has
superseded it.
-
- The Board NOTED that the above international Programmes offered by the
Co-operative College at Stanford Hall, and validated by the University, have
now been discontinued on the decision of the Board of Management in response to
recruitment difficulties.
-
- The Board NOTED that reports of Staff/Student Committee meetings have been
deposited with the Secretary as follows:
Design and Technology 7 May 1997
Drama 15 May 1997
Economics (Undergraduate) 20 May 1997
English 30 April 1997 and 7 May 1997
European Studies 4 December 1996, 4 March 1997 and
7 May 1997
BSc in Mathematics and Education 19 February 1997 and 30 April 1997
Social Sciences 14 May 1997
PE, SS & RM (Undergraduate) 5 February 1997 and 7 May 1997
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- No items had been highlighted for the Board's attention.
-
- The Board NOTED that the Minutes of the 314th (Ordinary) meeting of Senate
held on 27 June 1997 are available on the Information Gateway.
-
- The Board NOTED that a report of the following Committee is available on
the Information Gateway:
- Teaching and Learning Committee of 5 June 1997
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- The Board NOTED that degrees for programmes and research in the Faculty of
Social Sciences and Humanities will be awarded at the Congregation on the
afternoon of Tuesday 16 December 1997.
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- Visits by the Vice-Chancellor
-
- The Dean invited suggestions on how to structure visits to the Faculty by
the Vice-Chancellor.
-
- Tuesday 3 February 1998 at 2.15 pm
-
- (Closing date for receipt of Agenda items : Monday 19 January
1998)
-