University news

Senate: 17 October 2012

The following items were discussed at the recent meeting of Senate:

• Honorary Appointments – Creation of Title of Executive Fellow: Senate approved a proposal from the School of Management for creation of a new visiting title of ‘Executive Fellow’.  The honorary academic appointment procedure has therefore been revised to allow for the visiting titles of ‘Industrial Fellow’ or ‘Executive Fellow’.
• QA45 – Accreditation Of Prior Learning Accreditation Sub-Committee: Senate considered the recommendation of Learning, Teaching and Quality Committee in respect of the establishment of Accreditation Sub-Committees.  It was agreed that an Accreditation Sub-Committee be added to those Faculty/School sub-committees routinely established by Boards of Studies.
• Faculty/School Learning, Teaching And Quality Committees Placement Representative: Senate approved the proposed addition of a member with significant experience of the issues associated with placements or year abroad to the membership of Faculty/School Learning, Teaching and Quality Committees.
• Transfer of Responsibility for Programmes: Responsibility for the following programmes was transferred by Senate from the Department of Social & Policy Sciences to the Department for Health with immediate effect:
  • FdSc Addictions Counselling
  • BSc(Hons) Addictions Counselling (Work-based Learning)
• The Society of College, National and University Libraries (SCONUL): Kate Robinson was appointed by Senate as the voting representative of the University on SCONUL by virtue of her role as University Librarian.
• Council of Governors for the Royal United Hospital, Bath NHS Foundation Trust: Mark Humphriss was appointed by Senate as the Education Partnership Governor on the Council of Governors for the Royal United Hospital, Bath NHS Foundation Trust for three years. 
• Library – Annual Report To Senate 2011/12: Senate noted and congratulated the University Librarian on the annual report of the Library. 
• Motion From Academic Assembly: The Chair of Academic Assembly presented the following Motion from Academic Assembly to Senate:

Academic Assembly notes with concern the scheduling of an event, promoted across the University, which clashes with the meeting of this statutory body, and has not been checked against the University Calendar. It requests the Chair use his best efforts to express this concern at the highest level, and seek an undertaking that the position of Academic Assembly within the governance of the University be respected in future.

The Vice-Chancellor responded on behalf of Senate.  The concerns of Academic Assembly were formally noted.  It was reported that the scheduling of the medallist event had been dependant on the availability of the athletes.  However, the Vice-Chancellor emphasised the need for all those responsible for scheduling events of this type to be aware of the timing of meetings of Academic Assembly to avoid further occurrence of competing events/meetings.

The Senate is responsible for regulating and directing the academic work of the University and is regarded as the supreme academic authority of the University. Read more

Council – 18 October 2012

The following items were discussed at the recent meeting of Council:

Council had its annual all-day strategic meeting, which provides time for Council members to focus on broader issues, including work in discussion groups.  This year the morning session focused on internationalisation.  The PVC (Internationalisation) gave a presentation on emerging plans for internationalisation and answered questions, prior to discussion on a range of aspects including reputation, engagement, risk and governance.  Council was then joined by Sir Tim Wilson who made a presentation on the report of the review group which he led on university-business collaboration which was followed by discussion.  The main aspects of the University’s engagement with this important agenda were outlined.  The meeting provided good opportunity for Council members formally and informally to contribute to the University’s future direction.

Council then moved into its formal business meeting at which the following items were discussed:

• Students’ Union: Council received a presentation from the Students’ Union on their Top Ten Issues for 2012/13.   
• Preliminary Report of Undergraduate and Postgraduate Admissions – 2012 Entry: Council considered the preliminary report in respect of admissions for 2012.  The quality of home/eu students admitted had been exceptionally good – 77.7% are of AAB+ or equivalent (as classified by HEFCE).
• National Student Survey: Council considered and noted the results of the National Student Survey 2012.  The University had maintained its fifth place with a 91% overall satisfaction rating.  Council noted the success of staff/student collaboration in respect of the Survey and formally thanked all those involved for their work and achievement of fifth position, particularly the Director of Learning and Teaching Enhancement and her team.
• Human Resources Report 2011/12: The Annual Report of the Director of Human Resources was considered and noted.  This included details of new/revised policies and procedures approved by Council during the year (either directly or by delegated authority).
• Office of Independent Adjudicator: Council noted receipt of the first annual letter from the Office of the Independent Adjudicator. 
• Annual Energy and Environment Report 2012: Council noted the Annual Energy and Environment Report 2012.