MINUTE of the SCHOOL MANAGEMENT GROUP
held in Room 309, 2 University Gardens on 8th February 2012
PRESENT:
Simon Ball (Chair), Michael Murray, Adam Rieger, Sheila Kidd, Stuart Airlie, Graeme
Small; Catriona MacDonald; Matthew Fox, Thomas Clancy,
APOLOGIES:
Peter van Dommelen.
ATTENDING:
Anton Muscatelli, Murray Pittock, Fiona Quinn, Pauline McLachlan
Table of Contents
Minutes of the Meeting held 25th January 2012 ............................................................................................................. 1
Matters Arising .............................................................................................................................................................. 1
The Principal ................................................................................................................................................................. 1
Summer School ............................................................................................................................................................. 1
School Committees ........................................................................................................................................................ 1
Any Other Business ....................................................................................................................................................... 2
SJB welcomed Professor Muscatelli and Pittock to the meeting.
Action:
1.
Minutes of the Meeting held 25th January 2012
The minute of the previous meeting was agreed. PMcL will circulate to School colleagues.
2.
Matters Arising
3.
2.1 Budget Review – SJB had discussed with MP. Additional temporary administrative
resources had been hired.
2.2 Research – TC will be informed of new research applications/awards.
2.3 Supervision – A staff member cannot normally be internal examiner if s/he had been a
supervisor. PGR panel members can act as examiners.
The Principal
4.
AM spoke in relation to the University strategic plan and the current financial situation the
University is in. Greater savings than anticipated had been made via VSER; there had been a
better than expected financial settlement following the election and we are ahead of target in
relation to international recruitment. As a result, we are looking at opportunities for
academic investment, for example the recruitment of research fellowships across target areas;
targeted appointments, e.g. Chair of Logic and Rhetoric and other opportunistic leadership
appointments which could have a positive REF impact. Threats to the University include UK
immigration and border controls, which may deter applicants from other parts of the world,
e.g. India.
AM requested feedback on MyCampus implementation and a discussion followed. It was
acknowledged that admin staff had been under particular strain, a fact also highlighted to AM
during his walk-around recently. AM requested that critical issues are highlighted. AM
reported that the academic environment is split over the future of the advising role. MP
confirmed that the honorarium will continue for 2012-13.
With regards to REF, TC reported that An Sgoil is a very complex School with 6 UoAs and
multiple panels. MP confirmed that a scheme of ‘short and dirty’ leave is available for
completion of REF specific publications. TC attended Senate last week and will attend
College Research Committee later today. He commended Steve Beaumont’s presentation on
REF at Senate.
Summer School
5.
GS reported that he had received an invitation for History to participate in a Summer School
at GU and queried whether any other subjects in An Sgoil had been approached. No other
HoSubs had been approached, but it was suggested that History GTAs rather than staff
members could be involved. GS will follow up. SJB reported that GU had been approached
by Vassar regarding a link-up. SJB and Prof Nick Pearce had drafted a CCA/Humanities
course proposal for consideration and await feedback.
School Committees
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PMcL
6.
5.1 Learning and Teaching
SA reported on L&T developments. The honorarium will continue for current advisers, but
SA urged discussion with colleagues who are advisers and that any problems are reported to
the Chief Adviser. Classics were congratulated for the number of students that had
completed their NSS survey to date. Colleagues were encouraged to urge students to
complete. A small School sub-group had been set up to review employability. A cautious
response had been received regarding cognate A level subjects for Level 2 entry. SA offered
thanks, particularly to AR, for responses regarding his query about discretion at Honours
marking level.
5.1.1 Exam results reporting – SJB reported that there had been a systematic failure in the
exam marks reporting process and tabled revised procedures for reporting results. Key areas
are data management and checking; SJB reminded HoSubs that Covenors are exam officers;
there will now be a process for verifying and publishing results. HoSubs were asked to
implement the procedure and to circulate the document to colleagues and remind students
that all marks are provisional until finalised. MM will circulate an electronic version of the
document.
5.2 Research
TC reported that a College Research Committee meeting will be held this afternoon and a
School meeting tomorrow and he will have more to report at the next SMG meeting. He
suggested that the REF selection process should be finalised by Spring and that selection will
be tactical, not based on the individual. SJB suggested that TC and SA flag the issues
discussed to colleagues at the School meeting on 15 th February as they may not be widely
known. SJB anticipates that School Research Convenors will be involved in CAPs.
5.3 Graduate Studies
CMcD reported that a School Graduate Studies meeting had been held last week. Marina
Moskowitz will undertake a review of the PGR panel format and forms and report to
College. Comments had been provided on the Completion Policy and a second draft should
be issued. There will be a RIO open day even, date to be confirmed, but likely early March
2012. MM and SJB have discussed holding an event for visiting students before they leave
GU. MM is attempting to gain access to the Alumni database to contact previous UGs
regarding PG study. M Moskowitz had been successful in being awarded an AHRC Training
Grant (CABLES). SMG offered its congratulations. Dee Heddon was also successful.
Application statistics will be circulated to Schools for onward transmission to Subjects. A
Peden will be in email contact with applicants. Careers are organising a ‘Wee’ Conference
dedicated to Arts students to be held 1st March and SA encouraged colleagues to inform
students.
Any Other Business
6.1 Action List – Actions reported and agreed.
There was no other business to discuss.
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MM
TC/SA