Summary notes of the Executive Committee held on 15 February 2006
-
University PowerPoint presentation
The Committee put forward a series of further amendments to the proposed University PowerPoint presentation. These would be incorporated into a final version of the template, which would then be made available for general use, as agreed previously.
- Naming policy
The Director of Marketing and Communications introduced a revised paper that sought to address the points raised at the last meeting of the Committee. A preamble had been added to provide a fuller explanation of the context of the policy. Provision had also been made for consideration of ethical issues, if thought necessary, and the relationship between legacy gifts and naming had been clarified. Inspection of the similar policy proposal put to the Committee in July 2002 indicated that it had been more limited in scope and had not been implemented in any event.
It was proposed that additional consideration be given to the naming and sponsorship arrangements for the University's sporting activities, as this area could be viewed as a special case.
- Centre for Lifelong Learning
The Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Learning and Teaching) introduced a paper reviewing the University's current provision of lifelong learning programmes, and making a series of recommendations on how it might be restructured. This had been produced following consultation with the Division for Lifelong Learning.
The main issues to consider were as follows:
• The policy pursued over the last few years of growing accredited provision was now open to question because of the more recent constraints on HEFCE-funded student places.
• Some areas of accredited provision were outside the University's mainstream teaching portfolio, and there was a wider problem of lack of progression routes. These issues had been addressed by improving QA procedures but there was still a significant degree of risk, not least with respect to the HESA student return and consequent impact on league table standing.
• The difficulty of assessing likely demand was making it increasingly problematic to manage two student intakes per academic year within the current envelope of 150 FTE funded places.
In light of this situation, it was proposed that accredited provision in lifelong learning should cease. This would not necessarily result in a reduction in the overall number of programmes on offer, but would mean that no new students would be admitted to programmes that were currently accredited. It might also temporarily result in some smaller class sizes. Funding would be provided by means of a tapering subsidy from the University, combined with staged increases to tuition fees.
The Director of Lifelong Learning said that the character of lifelong learning provision had been a cause of concern for some time. It was no longer fulfilling the original purpose of providing a part-time route into HE. The restructuring proposed would be a significant change of direction, however.
- The Disability Equality Scheme: Consultation and approval process
The Committee received a timetable of the consultation and approval process for preparation of the Disability Equality Scheme. This would need to be ready by the December 2006, in order to comply with the Disability Discrimination Act 1995, notably the 'positive' duty on public bodies to eliminate discrimination and promote equality of opportunity. Upon publication of the first draft of the Scheme later in February, it was proposed that consultations should take place via the Equalities and Diversity Network and the Equality and Diversity Committee. Council would also be updated on progress as part of the annual progress report on matters related to equality and diversity. Revised versions of the Scheme would then be submitted for consideration by the Committee and then finally by Council.
- University Risk Register
The Executive Assistant to the Vice-Chancellor gave a progress report on actions taken to address Risk RE4 ( Inappropriate balance in the research/teaching effort) and RE1 (Failure of Research Strategy to focus activity). With regard to RE1, the Research Committee had commented on the lack of consistency in the research data and metrics cited within the Annual Planning Cycle templates, and had suggested that academic departments be asked to produce a five-year research vision.
LT1 (Failure to respond to national/international recruitment trends) was selected as the area where net risk might have increased, and therefore merited further consideration. In view of emerging trends, particularly in postgraduates markets, a number of academic departments had taken steps to increase the attractiveness of their PGT programmes, and to review the efficiency of these programmes in terms of level of demand and use of resources.
- University response to UUK consultation on the successor strategy to the Prime Minister's Initiative
The Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Strategic Developments) reported on a UUK consultation about a successor strategy to the Prime Minister's Initiative. This would be launched in April 2006, with the principal aim of securing the position of the UK as a leader in international education. The University had strongly endorsed the need for a successor strategy and welcomed the focus on sustaining and increasing the number of international students by the development and diversification of priority markets, and by enhancing the distinctiveness of UK education. Some reservations had been expressed, however, about the mode of delivery of the strategy outlined, together with its funding and management. It was felt that more detail was required on specific activities, particularly the split between scholarships/bursaries and general marketing and promotional work. HEIs would also need to be more directly involved in the planning, implementation and monitoring of the strategy. A funding contribution based on FTE student numbers and annual turnover was preferred.
UUK had also provided further briefing on the development of partnerships with China and India . HEIs had been invited to send representatives to two conferences planned for March to take forward the UK-India Education and Research Initiative, based on the £10M committed by the Government over five years . The University had confirmed that it would be sending representatives, and Heads of Department had been invited to submit ideas on possible areas of r esearch co-operation and collaborative delivery.
The following items were received without comment:
HEIF3 bids for competitive funding
Notes of the Faculty of Science Executive: 29 November and 20 December 2005
Notes of the Faculty of Engineering and Design Executive: 12 December 2005
Notes of the School for Health Executive: 13 December 2005
Notes of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences Heads of Department Committee: 16 January 2006
Notes of the Division for Lifelong Learning Executive: 13 December 2005
Notes of the Strategic Planning Group: 10 January 2006
Notes of the Research Committee: 30 January 2006
Notes of the 5WL1 Management Committee: 12 December 2006
Notes of the Space Management Committee: 8 December 2005
Notes of the Equality and Diversity Committee: 19 January 2006
Notes of the DDA Project Control Group
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