Summary notes of the Executive Committee held on 16 February 2005
- HEFCE Capital Funding for Learning and Teaching
The HEFCE had recently announced details of its next
round of capital funding for research and learning and teaching. The
University's allocations were as follows:
Nature of Capital Investment |
|
|
Research Infrastructure
|
10,336,968
|
|
Franchised Student Infrastructure
|
241,414
|
|
Learning and Teaching Infrastructure
|
4,022,850
|
The University had to contribute 10 percent matched
funding at the programme level.
- Strategic Investment
The Deputy Vice-Chancellor said that proposals for
strategic investment put before the Committee had been collated from
those arising in the Annual Planning Cycle and those made directly
by the Deans and Acting Head of School. As might be expected, their
combined value exceeded the sum currently available for investment.
It was therefore suggested that the following five priority areas
be earmarked for investment:
- Support to help departments prepare for the RAE
2008, or other defined, small-scale tactical purpose, by means of relief
from teaching and administrative duties and similar measures.
- Leverage funding to secure large-scale research
grants.
- Enhancement of funding for the Library and Learning
Centre, as the critical academic support service.
- Support for replacement and new posts, and for
packages for early retirement, in areas of strength, to be defined using
criteria of performance in the RAE 2001 and student recruitment.
- Support for initiatives that promote innovation
and income generation within the University over the longer term.
This proposal followed a strategy of investing
in areas of proven excellence and creating capacity for excellence in
new areas. Investment would be tied to a clear commitment to deliver
an identifiable benefit or return that could be monitored, an example
being assessment of potential RAE impact.
Agreed:
(i) That the priority areas for investment could be approved.
(ii) That the Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Director of Finance would prepare
a summary of the individual and combined financial commitments arising
from these proposed investments, for circulation to Deans and the Acting
Head of School.
(iii) That, in addition, funds would be released to supplement non-pay
budgets in recognition of those Faculties which had met their income
and savings targets.
(iv) That the funding available under HEFCE Project Capital round 4
should, as far as possible, be invested in infrastructure needs, such
as the Library and Learning Centre, Estates and BUCs, that served academic
priorities.
- Report on the Teaching Efficiencies Working Group
The Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Learning and Teaching)
introduced this report. The remit of the Working Group had been to
consider the potential scope for efficiency savings whilst maintaining,
and where possible enhancing, the high quality of teaching offered
within the University. On the basis of a thorough review of current
practice, a large number of recommendations were now put forward covering
an extensive range of issues related to teaching and learning (SAMIS
and assessment, e-learning, computer-aided assessment, general support,
staff development, placement support, quality assurance, administration
of academic programmes, generic units and regional collaborations).
Action on some of the recommendations was already in hand, such as
the proposal to establish the Learning and Teaching Enhancement Office,
and in other areas had been overtaken by events, for example the review
of placements undertaken by the Fees and Bursaries Working Group.
Further thought would be given as to the relative benefits of taking
forward each of the remaining recommendations, according to the different
timeframes specified. This presented a significant teaching and learning
agenda for the next three years or so.
The Vice-Chancellor thanked the Pro-Vice-Chancellor
(Learning and Teaching), and all those who had worked on producing
the report. It offered a way of transforming teaching and learning
within the University, whilst preserving quality and standards.
Agreed: That the report could be endorsed. Implementation
of recommendations would be reviewed in twelve months' time (February
2006).
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- Establishment of a Learning and Teaching Enhancement Office
The Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Learning and Teaching) said
that this proposal arose out of the recommendation to improve general
support for teaching and learning. In common with similar units at
other HEIs, the Learning and Teaching Enhancement Office (LTEO) would
aim to provide more tailored support for academic departments by integrating
related activity in quality assurance, staff development and e-learning.
Within the framework of the University's Learning and Teaching Strategy,
the LTEO would therefore research and disseminate good practice, co-ordinate
the professional development of new academic staff, lead on the development
of policy, and assure and enhance the quality of learning and teaching.
The organizational structure proposed sought to put traditional quality
support activities into a more positive framework, and should help
the University to be more successful in tapping into the various learning
and teaching funding streams that were now available. Earmarked funding
amounting to £150K was available from the HEFCE in the period
2004-2006, to assist in covering transition costs.
The Registrar gave his full support to the proposal.
The Committee noted that it would be crucial for academic departments
to feel that they had ownership of the agenda to be taken forward
by the LTEO.
Agreed: That the proposal to establish a Learning
and Teaching Enhancement Office could be approved.
- Quarterly Update on Research and Innovation Services
The Director of Research and Innovation
Services updated the Committee on the activities of his department
over the last quarter. These came under three general headings: collaboration,
people and performance.
Collaboration: In addition to delivering ongoing services,
RIS staff (and staff from DfLL) have been actively collaborating with
their colleagues from Bristol, Southampton and Surrey in 7/8 theme
groups. This degree of collaboration in the area of KT was unprecedented
in the HE sector. It should provide scope for the further development
of the services offered to University researchers, and better position
the University to capitalize on external funding streams.
People: Progress has been made in recruiting staff
funded under HEIF2. Two additional research and innovation managers
would be starting soon, and, together with the existing member of
staff, would form the Research and Innovation Development team. They
would be working with academic departments to develop and market projects.
Performance: while RIS was still not yet fully resourced,
it was thought that, in overall terms, the department was making good
progress towards meeting HEIF 2 and other performance targets.
The Committee noted the report.
Agreed:
(i) That, henceforth, abridged reports should also be submitted to
Council on a regular basis. The Director of Research and Innovation
Services would make a presentation to Council on the work of his department
on the next opportune occasion.
(ii) That a note on the full range of business-related activities
undertaken at the Oakfield Campus should be appended to future reports.
- The following items were received without comment:
Notes of the Faculty of Engineering
and Design Executive Committee: 30 November 2004
Notes of the Faculty of Science Executive: 11 January
2005
Notes of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences
Heads of Department Committee:
17 January 2005
Notes of the 5WL1 Management Committee: 18 January
2005
Notes of the Space Management Committee: 13 January
2005
Notes of the Oakfield Executive Group: 26 January
2005
Notes of the Equal Opportunities Advisory Committee:
20 January 2005
Notes of the TRAC Steering Group: 8 December 2004
Notes of the Transport Strategy Consultative Working
Group: 8 October 2004
Notes of the Institute for Integrated Industrial
Innovation: 1 November 2004
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