NEWCASTLE UNIVERSITY
ACADEMIC BOARD
14 May 2014
Present: The Vice-Chancellor (in the Chair) and 89 members of the Academic Board.
There were insufficient members at the meeting to constitute a quorum (100 members).
NOTES
1.
NOTES OF THE 15 MAY 2013 MEETING
The notes of the meeting of Academic Board held on 15 May 2013 are available at:
http://www.ncl.ac.uk/executive/governance/academic/minutes.htm
2.
NOMINATIONS FOR HONORARY AWARDS 2015
2.1 Honorary Degrees
The Honorary Degrees Committee has invited nominations in writing for next year’s
Congregations. Any member of Academic Board, Court, Council and the Alumni
Consultative Group may make a nomination. Support for nominees for honorary degrees
should be sought only from members of these bodies. Where several members make a
joint nomination, one should be shown as the nominator and the others as supporters.
The grounds on which the nomination is being made should be clearly stated.
Principles for the award of Honorary Degrees can be found at:
http://www.ncl.ac.uk/congregations/ceremonies/honorary/nom_hongrad.php
Proposals should be sent in envelopes marked ‘Confidential Honorary Degrees’ to Dr J V Hogan, Registrar, King’s Gate by Thursday, 31 July 2014.
2.2 Honorary Fellowships of the University
Court has invited nominations in writing for the award of Honorary Fellowships of the
University. Any lay member of Court and Council, the Alumni Consultative Group and
members of Academic Board may make a nomination. Where several members made a
joint nomination, one should be shown as the nominator and the others as supporters.
The grounds on which the nomination is made should be clearly stated.
Principles for the award of Honorary Fellowships of the University can be found at:
http://www.ncl.ac.uk/congregations/ceremonies/honorary/nom_honfell.php
Proposals should be sent in envelopes marked ‘Confidential - Honorary Fellowships’ to
Dr J V Hogan, Registrar, King’s Gate by Monday, 2 March 2015.
3.
MEMBERS OF COURT APPOINTED BY ACADEMIC BOARD
Reported that:
(a) The term of appointment of the following members of Court appointed by Academic Board
will terminate on 31 July 2014:
Mrs Lesley Braiden
Professor Grant Burgess
Professor Eric Cross
Professor Eileen Kaner
(b) Members of Academic Board are invited to submit nominations in writing by not later than
Friday, 13 June 2014 to Dr J V Hogan, Registrar, King’s Gate, together with confirmation
that the nominee is willing to be nominated. Nominees should be members of Academic
Board.
4.
REPORT BY THE VICE-CHANCELLOR
Received an oral report by the Vice-Chancellor on current business.
Noted that:
1. The Vice-Chancellor gave a presentation to members of Academic Board, as previously
presented to the Joint Meeting of Senate and Council on the 28 April 2014 and the Heads
of Unit Forum on 8 May 2014.
2. The Vice-Chancellor confirmed that the University’s overall vision and mission remain
unchanged, while highlighting the need to take account of some ‘game changers’ (eg the
cap on student numbers being removed) and uncertainties (such as the outcome of the
national elections next year) in our future planning.
3. Having spent a few years building up the “Civic University” profile, we will now spend a few
years reinforcing the “World-class University” profile, which is mostly about raising our
research. We have spent a few years being financially very prudent. We should now
invest to raise quality, and grow enough to have the continued ability to invest.
4. One of our objectives is to be able to say, in terms of disciplinary strength, what Newcastle
University is good at, and the target is to have at least 10 subjects which are ranked top 50
in the world. A provisional list has been produced based on our current information, that
may be revised after the REF outcome in December 2014. This does not mean that other
subject areas will not be supported or invested in, where appropriate.
5. A breakdown of the capital investment funds available to the University was presented
alongside lists of investment projects/opportunities. These range from projects that have
already been approved by Senate and Council, to those that currently represent a ‘wish
list’. These projects will clearly need to be prioritised and decisions made about how they
will be funded. To assist with this, a set of ‘guiding principles’ for Capital Planning are
currently being discussed by Senate and Council that will help to inform the decisions on
specific business cases over the coming three to four years.
6. A Research Investment Fund will be established to allow rapid flexible investment to match
capital research bids and to build academic capacity. In addition to this, funding provision
has been made to support specific research initiatives.
7. The Vice-Chancellor gave an indication of some new programme developments.
8. The ‘Raising the Bar’ initiative is about investment in quality. The most important element
in this will be investing in people, not just buildings, and to ensure the recruitment and
retention of high quality staff. The Vice-Chancellor invited members of Academic Board to
be ‘talent spotters’ to identify potential candidates.
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5.
QUESTIONS
Members were invited to submit questions to the Vice-Chancellor ahead of the meeting. Three
questions were received and answered as follows:
1. Dr Bruce Baker, School of History, Classics and Archaeology
‘With the University enjoying an 8% increase in student numbers, a 13% increase in research
income, a higher than predicted surplus, and the second highest income growth in the Russell
Group last year, how does the VC propose Newcastle University should show leadership in the
HE sector in rewarding staff for their outstanding achievements?’
Response:
The Vice-Chancellor reflected that the statistics in the question are pleasing in themselves
and agreed the principle that staff do deserve to be rewarded for outstanding contributions.
The latest figures on increases in staff earnings highlight the fact that under 50% of staff will
receive only the national settlement. The majority of staff actually receive more than that
when you take account of annual increments, promotions and merit awards. Typically the
University’s pay bill has increased by 3% annually over the last three years.
2. Professor Colin Brooks, Institute for Cell and Molecular Biosciences
‘In the Employee Opinion Survey last year, 56% of academic staff reported that they found
their current workload too much and were struggling to cope. Was the VC aware of this,
and what does he propose to do about it?’
Response:
The Vice-Chancellor confirmed that he is aware of the survey results, and it is a concern
that a significant proportion of academic staff stated that their current work load is too
much. He added that all academic units have workload allocation models and heads of unit
are working to ensure that these are being used effectively, in conjunction with the PDR
process, which he feels should be as much about identifying development issues and
opportunities, as discussing performance.
The recent planning round has provided an opportunity for Academic Units to identify
issues with capacity and Executive Board have agreed strategic investment in relevant
areas. The current forecast for 2013/14 projects a 5% increase in the number of non-clinical
academic staff. A further increase is forecast for 2014/15.
Professor Brooks asked a supplementary question:
‘What does the Vice-Chancellor feel is the right balance between remuneration and facilities
and support, in order to attract and retain good staff?’
Response:
It is recognised that the top people will come with a list of requirements, and in order to
recruit the highest quality research staff we do try to accommodate their needs.
The Vice-Chancellor is equally aware of the need to retain the best staff and a good idea in
research has never failed in his time due to a lack of money.
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3. Professor Caroline Austin, Institute for Cell and Molecular Biosciences
‘The new Procedure for the Recruitment and Selection of Heads of Academic Units states:
"The expectation that the majority of Headship appointments will, in future, be made after
external advertising" and "A targeted recruitment campaign may involve search consultants
or a search committee exploring the market and potential pool of candidates ahead of
advertisement". What procedures are in place to ensure that opportunities are brought to
the attention of all possible candidates to increase diversity and equality? And why is the
opportunity for members of academic staff from the unit to comment on the shortlisted
candidates being removed?’
Response:
(i) What procedures are in place to ensure that opportunities are brought to the attention of
all possible candidates to increase diversity and equality?
The current arrangements were introduced following Senate approval in November 2013.
Since then we have made some high quality appointments in keeping with the ‘Raising the
Bar’ initiative.
Vacancies are advertised openly, and where consultants and headhunters are used, they
are instructed to consult with the relevant academics with regard to the qualities and
experience necessary for the post, and to identify suitable internal candidates as part of the
search process. It is also made clear to consultants that we are committed to diversity and
equality and expect to see a diverse pool of candidates. Recruitment statistics are closely
monitored from an equality/diversity perspective. It is the case unfortunately, that women
are less likely to apply for vacancies.
We will be reviewing our processes and outcomes at the end of this academic year.
(ii) Why is the opportunity for members of academic staff from the unit to comment on the
shortlisted candidates being removed?
When vacancies are advertised externally some candidates request that the application
remains confidential until an offer of appointment is made. It is not possible therefore to
share the details of their application with all members of a school/institute.
Consultation with staff does take place before advertisement to seek their views, including
the identification of potential candidates, internal and external.
The Vice-Chancellor ended by thanking all staff and students for the successes enjoyed by
the University over the past year.
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