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Executive Committee

Summary notes of the Executive Committee held on 21 February 2007

1. University Endowment Scheme

   The Prime Minister had announced a new £200M scheme providing matched government funding for development funding raised by HEIs from alumni and other sources. Details were to be confirmed, but it seemed that about 75 HEIs would receive up to £2M in a 2:1 ratio, in return for funds they had raised. The 10 HEIs most successful at fund-raising would be able to secure further funds on a 3:1 ratio, up to a maximum of £4M, making a total of £6M per HEI. A third funding stream would be created for FECs providing higher education, such as Foundation Degrees. They would be helped to set up a fund-raising campaign and would be given £1 for every £1 they raise, up to a maximum of £100,000.

2. Undergraduate admission applications as at 31 January 2007
   

   The Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Learning and Teaching) reported that total applications had increased by 19 percent, compared with an increase of 1 percent at this point last year. H/EU applications had risen by 14 percent, whilst OS applications had risen by 36 percent. The rise in H/EU applications covered almost all subject areas, and was particularly noticeable in STEM subjects.

3. Draft Gender Equality Scheme
   

   The Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Strategic Developments) introduced the draft Gender Equality Scheme. This had been produced in response to the Sex Discrimination Act 1975 (Public Authorities) (Statutory Duties) Order 2006, which imposed a general duty on public bodies to pay due regard to the promotion of gender equality and the elimination of unlawful discrimination and harassment. All such bodies were required to publish a Gender Equality Scheme and associated action plan by 30 April 2007. The draft had been prepared following wide consultation within the Equalities and Diversity Network and adopted a similar format to the existing Disability Equality Scheme.

4. Widening Participation Strategy Group: Proposed membership and terms of reference
   

   The Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Learning and Teaching) said that following review of the range of WP activity across the University, it proposed that a new Widening Participation Strategy Group should be established. This would be responsible for development of a University WP strategy and the evaluation of all WP activity. The Group would report to the Executive Committee, replacing the current Widening Participation Advisory Committee. One change was recommended to the proposed membership.

5. Update on MARS/Agresso project

   The Director of Finance reported that, following consideration by the MARS Project Board, it had been agreed that the implementation date for the new finance system would be deferred from 30 April to 1 August 2007. This was thought necessary to ensure that the functionality of the system matched user expectations. More time was required for the user-acceptance stage of the project. Users would need to be fully involved in testing the software and assessment of the potential impact of new business processes on job roles.
   
   As a result of the deferment, the LAWSON system would continue operation for an additional three months with only a low level of technical support. The risk this presented had been mitigated to some extent by the signing of an emergency support contract with a specialised company. User-training, principally for departmental administrators, would be scheduled for mid-June to end-July. It was recognised that this was a very busy time for these staff, so scheduling would seek to minimise possible disruption to other activities. Operational surgeries would be run for the first few weeks after 1 August.

6. University Risk Register: Progress report on improvement actions - February 2007
   

   The Executive Assistant summarised the outcomes of actions taken to mitigate risks in respect of LT1 (Failure to respond to national/international recruitment trends) and E15 (Disaster resulting in the loss of business capacity).
   

7. Dignity and Respect for Students and Staff: Policy and procedures for dealing with complaints
   
   The Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Strategic Developments) introduced a draft document outlining a proposed University policy, and associated procedures, on bullying and harassment.  This updated the existing policy on harassment in light of the survey of the anti-harassment service and a wider review. Some further amendments to the draft would be necessary. A clearer statement was required of the legal context and the definition of bullying and harassment. Reference to visitors in paragraph 5.2.3 should also be deleted.

   
   
   
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