Minutes of the Ordinary
Meeting of Senate on Wednesday 9 March 2011.
Memis Acar Jo Aldridge (ab) David Allen (ab) Simon Austin Chris Backhouse Alan Bairner (ab) Morag Bell Richard Bibb Jon Binner Daniel Harris Jonathan Chambers (ab) Jim Chandler Mike Cropper Sandra Dann (ab) David Deacon (ab)
Jack Demaine (ab) Phill Dickens (ab) Rob Dover (ab) John Downey John Feather |
Shirley Pearce Neil Halliwell Janet Harrison (ab) Elaine Hobby Tony Hodgson Ruth Jenkins (ab) Dulanjan Kaggodaarachchi (ab) Terry Kavanagh David Kerr Ruth Kinna (ab) Feo Kusmartsev Angus Laing Chris Linton (ab) Julian Mackenzie (ab) Graham Matthews Marsha Meskimmon
(ab) Myra Nimmo Rob Parkin (ab) Ken Parsons Iain Phillips |
Jonathan Potter Ian Reid Helen Rendell Stephen Rice Chris Rielly Carol Robinson Adrian Spencer Richard Stobart (ab) Elizabeth Stokoe
(ab) Gerry Swallowe Alice Swinscoe Paul Thomas Tony Thorpe (ab) Yiannis Vardaxoglou Ruth Vaughan Andrew Watson Alex Widdowson (ab) Jonathan Wright Huaizhong Zhao |
In attendance: Chris Dunbobbin, Jo Emmett, Jennifer
Nutkins, Will Spinks, Caroline Walker, Jon Walker (for item 11/28).
Apologies
for absence were received from: Alan Bairner, Jonathon Chambers, Sandie Dann,
Janet Harrison, Ruth Kinna, Chris Linton, Marsha Meskimmon, Rob Parkin, Richard
Stobart, Tony Thorpe.
The Vice-Chancellor noted with regret that Will
Spinks would be leaving
the University at Easter to take up the post of Registrar and Secretary at the
University of Manchester. Will had made a great success of the Chief Operating
Officer role, and his departure would be a great loss. The University would
move quickly to appoint a new COO, and in the interim, Caroline Walker had
agreed to act as COO, and Paula Powditch as Director of Finance.
11/23 Minutes
Senate RESOLVED to confirm and sign the Minutes of the
Ordinary meeting held on 26 January 2011 (SEN11-M1).
11/24 Financial Context
24.1 Senate RECEIVED an update from the Director
of Finance on the financial context for the HE sector.
A white
paper setting out BIS’s overall plans for HE in more detail, which was due
for publication in spring 2011, had not yet emerged. Uncertainty therefore
remained in several areas including student number control; core and
margin numbers of student places; off quota students; and contextual
information use in applications.
At Loughborough, there had been consultation
on tuition fees with staff and students, and detailed financial modelling work
was ongoing. At this stage, there was most support for an undergraduate tuition
fee of £9,000 for all programmes, but even in this scenario, it was unclear
whether the University would be in a position to achieve a sustainable surplus
in the longer term, without additional income or reductions in expenditure.
Consideration was being given to the potential consequences of setting a high
tuition fee, and in particular the benefits of higher fee income, set against
the widening participation obligations that this would attract, and the
possibility of further cuts to the teaching grant, should the average fee level
in the sector rise above the level projected by the government.
Council would reach a final decision on proposed
tuition fees for 2012-13 at its meeting on 1 April 2011, and the University
would then be required to submit its Access Agreement to OFFA by 19 April 2011.
OFFA was expected to indicate in July 2011whether the tuition fees proposed by
institutions had been approved. (No institution would know for sure what
tuition fee it would charge prior to this).
The following points were noted in
discussion:
(i)
The
financial scenarios under consideration assumed a significant increase in
spending on widening participation activities; a slight decline in student
numbers (in accordance with existing planning); and static staff numbers.
(ii)
It
was apparent that the government was keen to encourage private provision within
the sector, and for institutions to explore the diversification of their income
streams.
SEN11-P19
24.2 Senate RECEIVED an update on planning for
tuition fees, the University’s new Access Agreement, and related issues.
In order to charge tuition fees of £6,000 or higher in 2012-13, the University
was required to submit a new Access Agreement to OFFA by 19 April 2011. A core
group of relevant staff, chaired by the PVC(T) had
been established to work on the details of the Agreement, together with a wider
consultative group. The Agreement would contain details of the
University’s proposed tuition fee levels for 2012-13, its financial
support package, and its outreach/fair access work. Final guidance on the
format and requirements of the new Agreement had been circulated by OFFA on 7
March 2011, subsequent to the circulation of SEN11-P19. Further details
regarding the sum of money to be allocated to each institution under the
National Scholarship programme would not be made available until later in March
2011.
The following points were noted in
discussion:
(i)
Guidance
from OFFA appeared to suggest that there was scope for new spending on
retention and employability initiatives to be set against the
University’s spending commitments in its Access Agreement, particularly
if it could be shown that these would benefit students from less advantaged
backgrounds to access professional careers.
(ii)
The
University was already engaged in a range of sport-related outreach initiatives,
and was considering expanding its activities in this area.
(iii)
It
was noted, in response to a suggestion that students from less advantaged
backgrounds be assisted with programme-related costs (e.g. relating to field
trips, or project materials), that consideration was being given to the income
received by the University from such sources, and to whether in a higher fees
environment, it would be appropriate for these costs to be met by the
University.
(iv)
There
was evidence from an analysis of the distribution of students from less
advantaged backgrounds across the University to suggest that some of the
University’s difficulties in reaching WP targets had been connected to
the raising of entry requirements. It was noted in this context that foundation
programmes could have an important role in allowing such students to reach an
appropriate level of academic attainment. In addition, the expansion of
targeted schools partnerships and the use of contextual data in admissions
decisions were being explored.
(v)
Loughborough
was at a disadvantage compared to some of its competitor institutions in the
recruitment of students from less advantaged backgrounds because it was not
located within a large city. It was noted, however, that part of what made the
Loughborough Student Experience special was its emphasis on extra-curricular activities
associated with living on or nearby campus. It would not therefore be an
immediate priority to increase efforts to encourage potential students from
nearby cities to study at Loughborough while commuting from home, but this
strategy would be reviewed in light of future developments.
Members were invited to contact the
Vice-Chancellor by email if they had any further thoughts relating to tuition
fees and the Access Agreement.
11/25 Implementation of New Organisational
Structure
SEN11-P20
25.1 Senate NOTED key issues discussed by the
Structure Implementation Project Management Board at its meetings on 24
January, and 7 and 28 February 2011.
25.2 Naming of Schools
SEN11-P21
(i)
Senate
RESOLVED to recommend to Council proposals relating to the naming of schools
and the continuation of departments, noting that the paper should have referred
to the Department of Materials, rather than the Department of Materials
Engineering.
SEN11-P22
(ii)
Senate
RESOLVED to approve proposals from Advancement Committee relating to the naming
of Academic Units.
SEN11-P23
25.3 Senate RESOLVED to approve changes to the
composition of University Committees, with a view to their submission to
Council on 1 April 2011. Two additional papers were tabled:
(i)
SEN11-P23AA
Senate RESOLVED to approve changes to
the Terms of Reference and Composition of Research Performance Monitoring
Committee, to ensure a broad contribution from all involved in the REF process,
and to take account of the establishment of the Finance Committee, and the new
University structure, noting that under point 3., the word
“Departmental” should be replaced with the word
“school” from 1 August 2011, and that the word
“departments” should remain, as this related to departments in
other universities.
(ii)
SEN11-P23AB
Senate RESOLVED to approve changes to
the Terms of Reference of Research Committee, to include reference to the
Research Schools and the Graduate School, and a stronger statement about the
enhancement of the experience of research students.
The following additional points were noted:
(iii)
In
relation to section 8 of SEN11-P23, it was proposed that the Director of DARO
would be in attendance at meetings of a combined Honorary Degrees and Medal Committee,
rather than a member, as stated.
(iv)
In
relation to the proposed membership of Learning and Teaching Committee in Annex
A to SEN11-P23, the student membership was yet to be determined, but there was
no intention that it be reduced.
(v)
A
document referring explicitly to actions/initiatives which had resulted in
specific savings or efficiencies being made as a consequence of restructuring
would be presented to the next meeting of Senate.
SEN11-P24
25.4 Senate RESOLVED to recommend to
Council/approve amendments to University Ordinances and Regulations.
SEN11-P25
25.5 Senate NOTED amendments to the job
description for Associate Dean (Research). It was agreed that point 3. of the responsibilities external to the School should be
amended to: “To ensure the school is adequately represented in the
international and national academic and practitioner communities, with the
object of promoting the School and enhancing its status and esteem.”
SEN11-P26
25.6 Senate RESOLVED to recommend to Council a
procedure for the appointment of Deans of Schools.
11/26 Olympic Legacy
SEN11-P27
Senate RECEIVED an update on
progress regarding a Higher Education Legacy on the Olympic Park, based on the
University’s strategic agreement with the Olympic Park Legacy Company,
and expressed its support for the project in principle.
It
would be important that any activity on the Olympic Park complemented and
enhanced that which already took place in Loughborough, but there were
opportunities for this in a range of areas. It was noted that the project had
already been beneficial in raising the profile of Loughborough in various parts
of government at the highest level.
Thanks
were offered to Professor Nimmo and all involved in the project to date.
11/27 Alumni Association Constitution
SEN11-P28
Senate RESOLVED to recommend to Council a revised
constitution for the Alumni Association. Thanks were offered to Mark
Sismey-Durrant for his work in ensuring the constitution was fit for purpose
and reflected changes to University structures and alumni activity.
11/28 Ethical Policy Framework
SEN11-P29
Senate NOTED that work was underway, led by
Professor Steve Rothberg together with Jon Walker, on the development of an
ethical policy framework, in the context of increasing demands to demonstrate
ethical practice in areas such as research and advancement, and in general
recognition of the need to ensure that consideration of ethical matters was
embedded in the University’s decision-making processes. The developments
would build on the University’s existing policies and procedures
including the work of the Ethical Advisory Committee relating to research
ethics, and the Gift Oversight Committee relating to donations.
It was anticipated that more detailed
proposals would be submitted to Senate in July 2011.
11/29 Matters for Report by the Pro-Vice-Chancellor
(Research)
SEN11-P30
Senate
RECEIVED a report from the PVC(R). The following points were highlighted:
(i)
Applications. The performance of the Engineering Faculty
was particularly encouraging (at the half year stage it had achieved 57% of the
previous year’s performance by value and 56% by volume). The figures for
the Science Faculty were less strong, however, but this was being addressed,
and it was noted that the transfer of Materials, Ergonomics and ESRI into other
Faculties was a contributing factor. SSH Faculty had reached 40% by value and
44% by volume of its 2009-10 totals.
(ii)
New Grants and Contracts. The performance
here, particularly in the Engineering Faculty, was very strong at the half year
stage.
(iii)
The
Research Schools had developed into a fundamental part of the
University’s research activity and success, but would be kept under regular
review in order to quickly identify underperformance, and/or areas where others
should be created.
(iv)
Policy and Development Team. The introduction of
electronic personal research plans had begun successfully, but more feedback on
the process was being sought. The implementation of a new research publications
management system had also begun, and was expected to be fully operational by
October 2011. Preparations for the REF continued, and the importance of citation
performance was emphasised.
(v)
The
formal decision not to award a joint ESRC Doctoral Training Centre to
Loughborough and Leicester Universities had been announced.
11/30 Matters for Report by the Pro-Vice-Chancellor
(Teaching)
SEN11-P31
Senate RECEIVED a report from the PVC(T) on Student Recruitment for 2011 Entry. UK/EU
undergraduate applications had declined, following increases in each of the
previous two years. There were, however, quite large variations between
Schools. It was noted further that the most significant increases in
applications across the sector had been in subject areas such as those allied
to medicine and veterinary science, which Loughborough did not offer. International
undergraduate applications were also behind the comparable position in 2010,
but applications to taught postgraduate programmes remained buoyant.
11/31 Matters for
Report by the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Enterprise)
SEN11-P32
Senate
NOTED a report.
11/32 Matters for Report by the Vice-Chancellor
The
Vice-Chancellor reported on the following matters:
(i)
Relationship with Loughborough
College. FE colleges were facing similar financial pressures
to those affecting the HE sector, and against this background, a Project
Management Board had been established to consider how the University could work
more closely with Loughborough College to maximise the benefits for both
institutions, and in particular to ensure the maintenance and enhancement of
the Loughborough brand, especially in the sporting context. Any findings and/or
recommendations from the PMB would be submitted to future Senate meetings.
(ii)
THE Best Student Experience League
Table. Loughborough had been placed 1st in the
THE Best Student Experience table for the fifth year
in succession. This was a very important achievement, particularly in the
post-Browne context, and thanks were offered to all staff.
(iii)
Teacher Education Unit. The University had received the
highest possible grade from Ofsted in a recent inspection
of its secondary ITT provision. This was the third consecutive time since 2005
that the Teacher Education Unit had been graded as ‘outstanding’ in
the formal inspection process, and congratulations were offered to all
involved.
(iv)
USS Pension Scheme. Following the closure of the consultation
on the proposed reform of the USS pension scheme in December 2010, the USS
Board of Trustees had met at the end of January 2011, and had recommended a
number of changes to the scheme. These recommendations were due to be
considered at a meeting of the USS Joint Negotiating Committee on 9 March 2011.
11/33 Programme Proposals
SEN11-P33
On the recommendation of Learning and
Teaching Committee, on the advice of Curriculum Sub-Committee, Senate RESOLVED to
recommend to Council:
33.1 New programmes (with effect from October 2011 unless stated):
MEng Design with Engineering
Materials (October 2012)
MSc Systems Engineering
MSc Healthcare Emergency
Preparedness & Business Continuity Management (SWSHA) (March 2011)
33.2 Award, title or major programme changes:
BSc Information Management &
Business Studies/BSc Information Management &
Computing/BSc Information Management & Web
Development (October 2012)
MSc Healthcare Manual Handling
Management
(Delivery of Modules Off-Campus)
MComp Computer Science/Computer
Science & Artificial Intelligence/Computer Science & E-Business to MSci
Computer Science/Computer Science & Artificial Intelligence/Computer
Science & E-Business (for all current students, already approved from Oct
2011 entry)
MSc Engineering Innovation &
Management (title from Oct 2005 entry)
to revert to previous title Construction
Innovation & Management (from Oct
2010 entry)
BSc Retail Management to BSc
Retailing, Marketing & Management (for
current Part C, already approved from 2009 entry)
BSc Design with Engineering
Materials to BEng
Design with Engineering Materials (from
Oct 2011 entry, current students also being consulted)
11/34 Reports from
Committees
Senate RECEIVED reports from the
following Committees:
34.1 SEN11-P34 Arts
Committee of 18 January 2011.
34.2 SEN11-P35 Costing
and Pricing Committee of 13 January 2011.
34.3 SEN11-P36 Enterprise
Board of 8 December 2010.
34.4 SEN11-P37 Health,
Safety and Environmental Committee of 16 February 2011.
34.5 SEN11-P38 Learning
and Teaching Committee of 17 February 2011.
34.6 SEN11-P39 Research
Committee of 17 February 2011.
34.7 SEN11-P40 Student
Discipline Committee of 8 February 2011.
11/35 Date of Next
Meeting
Friday
8 July 2011, 9.15am.
(PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS MEETING WAS PREVIOUSLY
SCHEDULED FOR WEDNESDAY 6 JULY 2011).
Author – Chris
Dunbobbin
Date – March
2011
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