Council – 24 November 2011
The following items were discussed at the recent meeting of Council:
- Chair of Council: Mr Peter Troughton was re-appointed as Chair of Council for three years from 1 January 2012 to 31 December 2014.
- Chancellor: Council noted that Lord Tugendhat had recently advised the Vice-Chancellor and Chair of Council that he intended to stand down as Chancellor not later than the summer of 2013. Accordingly, the Committee on the Office of Chancellor would now be convened to start to consider possible candidates for the role. In the meantime, the Chair of Council, on behalf of Council, thanked Lord Tugendhat for the tremendous support he had given for so many years and continues to give to the University.
- University Accounts: Council approved the University Accounts for the year ended 31 July 2011.
- Refurbishment of 1 West: Council approved the proposed phased refurbishment of 1 West. This will provide an increase in the University’s physical infrastructure and an opportunity to locate more commercial activity/student facing services directly off the Parade.
- Overview of Faculty of Engineering & Design: Council received a presentation from Professor Gary Hawley, Dean of Engineering & Design. This was the first in a series of overview presentations from each Faculty/School during the current academic year.
- Queen’s Anniversary Prize for Higher & Further Education: This prestigious prize had been awarded in recognition of the University’s influential research into child poverty and support for vulnerable people. The awards ceremony will be held at Buckingham Palace on 24 February 2012. Council congratulated all those who had contributed to achieving this significant award for the University.
- Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Internationalisation): Council considered the remit, person specification and recruitment timescale for the post of Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Internationalisation). It was noted that the post would be advertised in early December with the aim of appointment by Council in March 2012.
- Staff Survey 2011 Update: Council considered and noted an update from the Director of Human Resources on progress responding to the 2011 Staff Survey. The next update on progress would be provided to Council in June 2012. This would include further details of the actions taken by the University in response to the results of the Survey.
- Equalities & Diversity: Council considered and noted the Annual Report on the University’s Single Equality Scheme.
Senate – 30 November 2011
The following items were discussed at the recent meeting of Senate:
- Queen’s Anniversary Prize for Higher and Further Education (see above): Senate congratulated all those who had contributed to achieving this significant award for the University.
- Chancellor (see above): Senate recorded its thanks to Lord Tugendhat for his tremendous support since his appointment in 1998 and his influential role in the success of the University over the past 13 years.
- UCAS Review of Admissions: The University would be submitting a formal response to the consultation, and comments from the community would be invited during preparation of the response. This would be in addition to any submissions made by individual members of the community and other representative organisations such as the 1994 Group and Universities UK.
- Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Internationalisation): Senate considered the remit, person specification and recruitment timescale for the post of Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Internationalisation).
- Code of Good Practice in Research: Senate revised the Code of Good Practice in Research (formerly named ‘the Good Practice Code for Research’).
- Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases NHS Foundation Trust (Council Of Members): Senate re-appointed Mr Tim Bilham, Department of Health, as the representative of the University to serve on the Council of Members of the Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases NHS Foundation Trust for two years from 2 December 2011.
- Annual Report of Research Postgraduate Ombudsman: Senate noted the report of the Research Postgraduate Ombudsman for 2011/12, together with the actions agreed by the University Research Students Committee.
- Institutional Audit Mid-Cycle Follow Up: Senate approved the submission of the Institutional Audit Mid-Cycle Follow Up Documents to the Quality Assurance Agency.