MINUTE of the SCHOOL MANAGEMENT GROUP
held in Room 407, 1 University Gardens on 28th May 2014
PRESENT:
Roibeard O Maolalaigh (Chair), Ian Ruffell, Ann Gow, Thomas Clancy, Adam Rieger, Michael
Murray, Sheila Kidd, Ann Gow, Lynn Abrams, Catriona MacDonald, Jeremy Huggett, Nyree
Finlay
APOLOGIES:
Stuart Airlie
ATTENDING:
Pauline McLachlan
Table of Contents
Minute of the meeting held 14th May 2014 .................................................................................................................... 1
Matters Arising .............................................................................................................................................................. 1
Head of School Update .................................................................................................................................................. 1
HoSub Update ............................................................................................................................................................... 3
Administration/Finance Update ..................................................................................................................................... 3
School Committees ........................................................................................................................................................ 4
Any Other Business ....................................................................................................................................................... 4
Action:
1.
Minute of the meeting held 14th May 2014
The Minute of the meeting held 14th April 2014 were approved. PMcL will circulate to all
School colleagues.
2.
PMcL
Matters Arising
1.1
Strategy meeting with Neal Juster: Glasgow 2020 Progress
Feedback from Neal Juster had been received and he had commented that the School of
Humanities was the most prepared meeting attended so far.
1.2
Priority Partners
ROM reminded colleagues for a response by Thursday 29 th May.
1.3
International Summer School
Following discussion, the School of Humanities did not put forward a course for this year.
The issue will remain on the agenda, perhaps with participation in 2015.
1.4
P&DR Session
ROM sought feedback on the P&DR sessions for reviewers. LA reported that it had been a
very positive session and she found it useful. There is a need to ensure that the information
is cascaded. It was agreed to send the information to reviewers for forwarding to their
reviewees.
1.5
Mongolian PG Development
The bid had now been submitted and MM would update on progress/development.
1.6
Capital Investment Bid
TC reported that the CapEx bid produced by Karen Lury had been submitted, which
includes capital investment and equipment underpinning a new Institute for Art and
Science (IAS).
3.
ROM
MM
Head of School Update
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3.1 Glasgow 2020 Progress Meeting
A note of the discussion had been received from Jamie Wightwick. It was agreed that we
suggest to JW/NJ to append our own notes of the discussion to theirs. Suggested items for
addition included:
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ROM/PMcL
PG application process - Applicants uploading their own references is not good.
(JWH)
PG Programmes - Concern over the recruitment process for stand-alone programmes.
(NF)
Conversion process - MM expressed concerns around difficulties in communication in
what marketing activities are occurring out with the School in relation to PGT.
Marketing activity at PGT level would now appear to have been devolved to entirely
to the School, although the budget to resource re: staffing/marking lies elsewhere.
(MM)
3.2 Humanities 2014 PG Studentships
A proposal on how to allocate the recently confirmed PGT funding had been circulated in
advance of the meeting, which aimed to generate incremental income for the School, and
ensure maximum impact in relation to postgraduate throughput. Discussion was held on the
best way to manage and maximise the use of the allocation. Based on the information from
CoA, there is still a lack of clarity on how the allocation will flow to schools, e.g. as a
budget allocation or as a fee waiver scheme. MM outlined that as per accounting
procedures, it was likely that the funds would be allocated as an increase to the total
College fee waiver budget. Agreement on the allocation to subjects, the criteria for
qualification and award and how to utilise any surplus was sought from ScMG.
AG and NF suggested using the ranking criteria used previously for SFC and PSAS
scholarships/funding. CMacD suggested that both models be circulated. It was agreed that
these ranking criteria models be forwarded to CMacD for consideration and amendment to
produce a consistent approach. ROM would prefer a consistent approach across all
Subjects in relation to the ranking of applicants and also the proportion of fee waivers
offered.
NF/AG
MM/CMacD
It was agreed to contact all students with an invite to apply for an award, alongside general
marketing avenues to potential applicants with an invite. This would aim to ensure parity
and equality of opportunity for all applicants. One aim is to maximise the PGR intake in
2015-16 and eligibility for AHRC scholarships. Colleagues were happy with the proposed
model and agreed to adopt it with the amendment that Subjects could allocate to an
overseas PGT applicant as a partial fee waiver. If an overseas award, it would be capped as
per the HATII proposal of £5K. Confirmation on how Subjects will proceed in relation to
the allocations is required by 30th May.
HoSubs
An advert will then be made with a closing date on the web and applicants would be
contacted. The second stage would include consideration and use of any surplus, and based
on agreed criteria.
3.3
ROM
School Convenors
The School Research and Graduate Studies Convenors have yet to be replaced. SA had
also intimated that he would like to step down as L&T Convenor. The only interest
expressed so far, had been from colleagues in History. ROM will update on any
discussions with colleagues.
3.4
Career Development Workshop
Karin Bowie had provided feedback on the Career Development Workshop held on 20 th
May, which appears to have been a very successful session. Recommendations include,
implementation of an MPA session, extending to other Levels of staff and to adopt a 10
year plan approach. It was agreed to accept in principle the recommendations. KB was
thanked for her work on this important initiative.
3.5
PMcL
ScMG Meetings
ROM reported that this was last School Management Group meeting scheduled for 2013-2-
14. ROM suggested an additional meeting to wrap-up School business, particularly the
Process Improvement project, and the appointment of School Convenors, to conclude any
outstanding business and to agree on priorities for 2014-15. ROM suggested meeting on
18th June, followed by a School social event to mark changes in ScMG, School Convenors
and School administration staff.
3.6 Research Incentivisation
The proposed policy was circulated to PIs holding and managing significant awards over
recent years seeking feedback and responses. TC had reviewed the feedback and
summarised into a document which was tabled. The summary included concerns expressed
by PIs about transparency and the impact of changes on subject and centre-related activity.
The policy was also discussed at Research Committee on 27 May 2014, where it was
recognised there is a need for change, but caution and clarity on longer-term plans was
sought. TC suggested that the formation of a School research support budget also be
considered alongside the Research Incentivisation proposal. MM outlined that since 2010,
the School had committed circa £200K towards research incentivisation, and returns on this
investment should be utmost in consideration of any new policy.
The proposal suggests as 50% salary recoups; 50% research contribution split. As a
compromise ROM suggested that the School should retain 25% of the research contribution
with the other 25% going to PIs/Subjects as part of the Incentivisation to PIs. It was
suggested that a decision is made now, so as to implement for 2014-15, for example,
including PIs in budget meetings.
IR suggested that Centres receive some base funding. TC suggested retaining the 50%
proposal and allocating some to Centres. TC also outlined the difficulties that R and T
staff have in securing small sums of funding from central pots in relation to funding
conference activity, and that this is one area that the School policy may wish to consider.
Quantifying the annual cost at circa £40k, MM suggested that such forms of staff CPD, and
the funding of them, was an area which needs to be examined at a level ‘higher’ than the
School incentivisation policy. ROM and LA suggested that Centres should apply for
funding, would mean a more equitable scheme. Following further discussion, it was agreed
to implement the following model for 14-15:
Salary recoup driven portion of allocation:
100% } HoSub – Subject
Project margin driven portion of allocation:
50% } HoSub/PI – Subject
50% } School
Full details on each allocation would be provided to HoSubs and PIs.
4.
HoSub Update
4.1 Archaeology - NF reported that Archaeology had received an AHRC PGR award.
4.2 Philosophy – AR reported that they had also received an AHRC Scholarship, but the
applicant had been informed s/he had to withdraw from the College competition. Fraser
MacBride had resolved with Barbara Burns.
5.
Administration/Finance Update
5.1 School Estate
Approximately 220 staff will be moving from GU campus to Glasgow city centre,
including Finance, HR and Research Support to create more teaching facilities and student
space.
5.2 Ancestral Studies
A tender had been issued to three agencies, with two proposals received, from which there
was one very clear proposal. ROM and MM would engage the agency.
5.3 Anne Southall
Retiring following over 30-years service to GU. Ms Southall’s last day will be 13th June.
A presentation will be arranged to be held on 18th June.
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5.4 Process Improvement Project
MM sought a decision on whether Moodle assessment or Turnitin, following agreement
during previous PIP meetings, and following development sessions with the Learning and
Teaching Centre. A decision would, in the short term, allow for appropriate training of
academic and administrative staff, updates to student handbooks websites and process
mapping and guidance regarding roles and responsibilities for staff and students. The
group reiterated previous agreement that submission will be 100% online, with certain
exceptions where online submission is not technically possible (such as Gaelic language
exams and Archaeology portfolios). The group agreed that it would be at the discretion of
HoSubs as to which system a Subject area would be using. HoSubs were asked to clarify to
MM which system they would be using, in order that the necessary actions are put in place
for session 2014-15.
6.
HoSubs
School Committees
6.1 Graduate Studies
CMacD reported on recent Graduate Studies activity.
6.1.1 Graduate Studies Board – A meeting will be held 28 May. CMacD would raise the
GTA policy under AOB. CMacD confirmed that no RCO information on conversion had
been circulated.
6.1.2 Convenorship - CMacD offered thanks in particular to EW and CLeR, and to MM
and PMcL for their help and support during her role as Graduate Studies Convenor.
6.2 Research Committee
TC reported on recent Research activity.
6.2.1 Leverhulme ECR – The College nomination, from within Humanities, had been
unsuccessful. TC reported that the College may review the nomination of only one
candidate.
6.2.2 Knowledge Exchange Officer – TC suggested that Humanities consider this. SMLC
and Critical Studies have one and the School Research Committee is in support of
developing this role. TC suggested contacting the KE Officer in Critical Studies to discuss
further.
6.2.3 REF – TC reported that HEIs will be informed 16-17 December 2014, with the
information embargoed until 18 December, when it would be made public.
6.2.4 REF Lessons Learned – TC would follow up with the REF ‘lessons learned’
document.
6.2.5 Research Leave – TC reported possible changes to the application form in the next
round. More clarity would be required from Schools/Subjects in the supporting statement.
6.2.6 Humanities Blog - TC had discussed with Daniel Scroop. DS will work on the blog
over the summer with a view to an autumn launch.
6.3 Learning & Teaching Committee
7.
TC
SA reported on recent Learning and Teaching activity.
6.3.1 Junior Year Aboard - Marks to be entered into MyCampus at this examination round.
6.3.2 Exam Invigilation - Report any issues experienced to Matthew Hastings. Both
Archaeology and Celtic and Gaelic would respond.
6.3.3 Credit Refused/Withheld - Information had been circulated from Linda Knox on the
use of CR/CW.
Any Other Business
7.1 Convenors - ROM formally thanked CMacD, TC and SA for their hard work and
dedication whilst undertaking their School Convenorship roles. Their contributions
were greatly appreciated.
7.2 Action Reporting – actions agreed
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