Summary Notes of the meeting of the Executive Committee held on 27 October
- Institutional Audit
The Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Learning and Teaching) gave
an oral report on the Institutional Audit. Informal feedback from
the auditors indicated that they would be recommending 'broad confidence'
(the highest level of assessment conferred) in the quality of University
programmes and the academic standards of our awards. The Quality Assurance
Agency would be sending a letter outlining the key preliminary findings
of the draft report very shortly. The report itself would then follow
in the week beginning 15 December. The Learning and Teaching Committee
and the Quality Assurance Committee would consider the comments and
recommendations made in the report.
On behalf of the Committee, the Vice-Chancellor thanked
the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Learning and Teaching), the Senior Assistant
Registrar (Quality and Development), and all the staff in the Quality
Support Office, for their hard work and considerable contribution
in achieving this result.
- Student Learning Space at the Claverton Campus
This discussion paper from the Librarian prompted
a wide-ranging debate about teaching and social space. The following
key points emerged.
- Conversion of the front of the Library and Learning
Centre into a Cyber Café would be expensive and culturally difficult.
A one-stop shop for student services, combined with a general reception,
might be a better use of the same space.
- Creation of the 2 East PC Teaching Laboratory
would offer a more conducive facility for IT teaching and learning than
the PC areas in Library and Learning Centre, and therefore should help
to reduce the student demand on the latter.
- The introduction of a wireless network in the
central areas of the campus could also be expected to reduce the pressure
on the Library and Learning Centre, particularly in respect of casual
personal use, and open up opportunities for students to use laptops
in a wider range of areas, most especially Choices restaurant - a large
space that was under-utilised for significant parts of the day. Care
would, however, need to be taken to ensure that a wireless network could
function properly in the buildings forming the Parade, and for the network
to incorporate all existing similar systems.
- The temptation to cut back on social space should
be avoided wherever possible, as this is where a great deal of 'peer
learning' took place, an important part of the student experience.
- Ensuring that there was sufficient GTA space across
the University should remain the top priority.
The Committee noted that an audit of space was already
underway. This would identify spaces that might potentially be used
for teaching and social purposes, and should enable the more efficient
management and control of such space.
Agreed: That the Space Committee should be asked to
submit a paper to the February meeting of the Executive Committee summarising
the results of the space audit and providing a 'roadmap' or plan of
space usage across the entire University over the next 12 months.
- Review of Trading
The Deputy Vice-Chancellor took the opportunity to
update the Committee on the review of trading services (i.e. catering,
bars and retail). Discussions between representatives of the University
and the Students' Union were continuing on the creation of a partnership
that would yield benefits in terms of more integrated and coherent
management, more effective use of resources, and economies of scale
in purchasing, while, at the same time, preserving the autonomy of
the core activities of the Students' Union.
The Committee noted that the review extended to services
currently offered, or which would be offered, in sporting facilities
and the Sullis Club. Scrutiny of business processes would include
feedback mechanisms for customers and quality of service in terms
of hygiene.
- Staff Vacancies Review Group of 24 October 2003
Agreed: That the recommendations
of the Staff Vacancies Review Group could be approved. It was noted
that applications for replacement posts should be reviewed on the
basis of whether or not they were justified, rather than as a straightforward
replacement.
Posts approved:
Research Councils Administrator, Finance Office, replacement and revised
post, 0.5 to 1.0 fte and Cl3 to Cl4
PA to Director (Cl5) 0.5 fte, new post, School for Health
Technician (TC13/14), 1.0 fte, replacement post, School of Management
Staff Development Officer (AR3), 1.0 fte, replacement post, Department
of Human Resources
Post approved in principle, subject to clarification:
Technology Transfer Executive (AR3), 1.0 fte, new post, Department
of Knowledge Transfer Services
The following items were noted without comment.
- Sports Training Village Project Control Group: 19 September 2003
- Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Heads of Department Committee:
2 June 2003
MSD
09.12.03
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