Approved
UNIVERSITY OF ESSEX
SENATE
Wednesday 1 July 2009
(2.00 pm – 5.00 pm)
MINUTES
(Unreserved)
Chair
Professor Colin Riordan, Vice Chancellor
Present
Mr Bannerman, Dr Boehm, Professor Busfield, Dr Burnett, Mr Butler, Dr Campbell,
Mr Cornes, Professor Dorussen, Professor Downton, Professor Francesconi, Professor
Han-Pile, Professor Henson, Professor Higgins, Dr Hulme, Professor Hulme,
Professor Jenkins, Dr Jones, Mr Joondan, Mr Kavakeb, Dr Landman, Mr Mack, Dr
Mackenzie, Dr McGenity, Mr Murphy, Professor Radford, Dr Roper, Dr Rowlands,
Dr Schulze, Professor Schurer, Dr Scott, Professor Sherer, Professor South, Dr Steel,
Professor Temple, Professor Underwood, Dr Venn, Professor Vergo, Dr Watt
Apologies
Ms Andrade, Ms Bland, Ms Brennan, Ms Cherill, Dr Cox, Professor Fox, Mr Hall, Dr
Hughes, Dr Martin, Professor Massara, Mr McGrath, Professor Rubin, Professor
Tsang, Mr Woodward, Mr Wright
Secretary
Registrar and Secretary
In attendance
Head of Admissions (minute secretary), Director of Finance, Director of Strategic
Planning, Director of Human Resources
By invitation
Ms Seabrook, Ms Hiscox, Mr Macken, Mr Yan, Mr Gul Mohammed
WELCOME
Noted
The Vice-Chancellor welcomed new members of the Students’ Union
Executive, who were attending as observers.
192/09
STARRING OF AGENDA ITEMS
Noted
In accordance with Standing Orders, para 5, the following item was starred for
discussion:
Agenda item 9(e)
193/09
University Campus Suffolk Joint
Academic Committee Report
MINUTES
Approved
The Minutes of the meeting held on 22 April 2009, subject to an amendment to
S.M.87/09 as indicated on the agenda sheet (copy attached to the file copy of the
minutes).
1
194/09
BUSINESS TAKEN WITHOUT DISCUSSION
Approved
Without discussion, those items not already starred on the agenda or indicated in
advance of the meeting in accordance with Standing Orders, para 5.
195/09
FORMAL BUSINESS (S/09/41)
Appointment of Head of Department
Recommended to Council
that the following be appointed as Head of the Department of Economics for the
period indicated:
Professor Eric Smith
196/09
1/8/09 – 31/7/12
MATTERS ARISING
None
197/09
VICE CHANCELLOR’S STATEMENT (S/09/42)
Received
The Vice-Chancellor’s written statement to Senate.
Noted
The Vice-Chancellor reported orally on a number of issues:
Admissions
198/09
199/09
In addition to meeting admissions targets, the Vice-Chancellor emphasised the
importance of recruiting students into the full range of disciplines and
particularly into research-intensive departments. It was possible that the current
threat to impose substantial financial penalties for over-recruitment of Home
and EU undergraduates would be removed. This would require a rapid response
from the University to ensure an advantageous outcome in the current
admissions cycle.
The University’s plans for growth in student numbers would have an impact on
residential and teaching accommodation, both of which were already stretched
to capacity. Modelling had been undertaken on the basis of the current
admissions situation to determine how much additional space would be needed.
Some temporary teaching space was likely to be required in 2009/10. This
would be replaced in 2010/11 by the conversion of the former Boiler House into
new permanent teaching rooms. Plans were also being made for additional
student accommodation, particularly to meet the needs of international students.
200/09
Kaplan Business School
201/09
An extension to the University’s existing collaborative partnership with Kaplan
Online Learning was proposed, to introduce validation of programmes delivered
by Kaplan Business School. Discussion would take place between the Pro-Vice-
2
Chancellor (Academic Development), the Dean of Academic Partnerships and
the Director of Essex Business School, to ensure complementarity of provision.
A progress report on Kaplan provision would be submitted to the next meeting
of the Senate.
League Tables
202/09
The University’s performance in recently published league tables had been
disappointing. While academic policy and strategy should not be driven by
league table performance, the impact of league tables on public perception
could not be dismissed. Detailed analysis of league table results was essential in
order to inform specific actions needed to improve the University’s
performance.
The University’s position in the recently published Times Higher Education and
People and Planet ‘green’ league tables had been particularly disappointing,
especially given the emphasis on sustainability in the strategic vision. The
Green Task Force had introduced a number of initiatives to improve
sustainability on campus, and believed that inaccurate and/or incomplete data
had been used to determine the University’s position in these league tables.
203/09
Institutions’ positions in more general, academically-focused league tables were
influenced strongly by students’ A level tariff points and other entry
qualifications. The University’s strategy to be a research-intensive institution
offering educational opportunities to all who could benefit had a negative
impact in such league tables. Performance in the National Student Survey and
the Destination of Leavers from HE employability survey also had a significant
impact.
204/09
A more systematic and proactive approach was required to ensure that league
table position was influenced wherever possible in the University’s activities. It
had recently been agreed that all league table returns would be managed by the
Planning Office in order to address this issue. Improved internal
communications were also required to inform academic and support staff who
were in regular contact with applicants and their advisers about key points
concerning the University’s performance in league tables.
205/09
Faculty Project
206/09
Two meetings of the senior management team had taken place to review the
Faculty project and the work of Faculty Steering Groups as well as the Faculty
Support Teams. Particular attention had also been given to reviewing the
planning process in order to ensure that it properly informed budgetary
processes.
Department of Business, Innovation and Skills
The new Secretary of State for the Department of Business, Innovation and
Skills had recently been engaged in talks with Universities UK and the 1994
Group and was expected to make a significant impact on the HE sector.
3
207/09
Public Finances
208/09
A realistic assessment of public finances suggested a potential 15% real terms
cut in university funding during the four year period starting in 2010/11. There
was little certainty at this stage, but a keen awareness of the shifting political
and economic environment was essential, in order to inform University strategy
and policy.
University Campus Suffolk
209/09
The search for a replacement for Professor Bob Anderson as chief executive of
UCS was already under way. The distinctiveness of UCS as a provider in HE
‘cold spots’ in the region, as well as its relationship with the Universities of
Essex and East Anglia, were expected to make this role an attractive prospect
for potential applicants. The post was expected to be filled by January 2010.
UNIVERSITY FINANCES
NEW STYLE REPORTING (S/09/43)
Received
A paper from the Director of Finance explaining the framework for the new
style financial reporting that underpins the Finance Monitor.
210/09
FINANCE MONITOR: 2008/09 UPDATE, 2009/10 BUDGET AND FORECASTS TO
2012/13 (S/09/44)
Noted
The Director of Finance introduced the new approach to constructing the
University’s budget and reporting financial performance, in which the focus
was on the faculties as the main income-generating units. The following points
were highlighted:
211/09
i.
212/09
The target surplus of 5% p.a. had been re-calibrated to 3.5% to take account
of planned capital developments and the Vice-Chancellor’s strategic fund.
This was a more realistic representation of the financial strategy to generate
an annual surplus, and did not represent a substantive change in policy. The
original surplus target of 5% had been broken down as follows: 3% for
investment, 1% contingency and 1% long-term maintenance.
ii. Headline growth of 8% was forecast for 2008/09 and 9% for 2009/10. This
dropped in later years because of an assumed decrease in student numbers
and HEFCE income, including assumed 0% inflation on the HEFCE grant
and known reduction in QR income.
213/09
iii. The forecast academic deficit of £1.6m in 2008/09 was expected to convert
to a surplus of just under £1m in 2009/10. Positive influences on this were
the staff cost reduction exercise and expected student number growth;
negative influences were the recent overall increase of 8% in salaries and a
2% increase in USS pension scheme costs. The academic surplus was
forecast to deteriorate over the planning period because of flat HEU student
number growth, anticipated 0% growth in the HEFCE grant and increasing
staff costs. Most of the University’s surplus arose from Commercial
Services which included substantial income-generating activities operating
on a different business model from academic activity.
214/09
4
iv. There was cause for cautious optimism about the University’s financial
position in 2009/10. However, this was dependent on meeting student
recruitment targets in October 2009, in particular the planned increase of
18% in overseas student numbers and recruitment of HEU additional
student numbers (ASNs).
215/09
v. Modelling of the financial situation based on a 10% cut in HEFCE grant
from 2011/12 suggested that the capital investment plan would be
undeliverable. However, the University was at capacity and investment was
essential to enable future growth. Careful planning would be required as
more concrete details of the future public finance situation became
available. This would also need to factor in the financial charges that would
arise from 2014 onwards as a consequence of capital developments. These
enabled new business to be generated, but also led to an increase in longterm maintenance costs.
216/09
The following points were covered in discussion:
217/09

A new investment policy was being adopted to reduce the risks of tying up
cash long-term, e.g. by reducing reliance on endowments.

Substantial growth in overseas student numbers was required to fulfil
budget predictions. The University had seen a substantial increase in
applications from overseas students for October 2009 entry; however, a
conservative approach had been taken to predicting overseas student
number growth for budgetary purposes.

Substantial growth in NHS-funded numbers resulting from the transfer of
Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy courses from Colchester Institute
to the University represented a welcome diversification of the University’s
funding streams.

Although the University’s capital investment programme was ambitious, a
conservative approach was being taken to committing financially to
individual projects and review points had been identified to enable a project
to be postponed if financial predictions were not realised.

A revised version of the capital investment programme would be prepared
in the autumn. Essex Business School growth plans, which were driven by
the School’s business plan and included substantial growth in overseas
student numbers as well as the introduction of MBA courses, were
dependent on the provision of additional space and staff.

Substantial growth was forecast at the Southend campus, particularly
growth in student numbers that was expected to follow from the completion
of the student accommodation in October 2010. Activities in Southend were
expected to outgrow the space available at the Gateway Building within the
next few years. The Southend student number target for 2013/14 was 1,500
studying on a range of full-time and part-time courses.
5
THE EDGE HOTEL SCHOOL PROPOSAL (S/09/45)
Noted
The Director of Finance outlined the key objectives underlying the proposal to
establish The Edge Hotel School at Wivenhoe House. The primary commercial
aspect represented the University’s decision to lease Wivenhoe House to The
Edge Foundation for a 50 year period at a peppercorn rent. The Edge
Foundation would invest £9m to develop a high quality hotel school which
would be unique in the UK. The Edge Foundation was an educational charity
whose mission was to raise the status of vocational education. The hotel school
would be a not-for-profit venture with any surpluses generated being reinvested in the charity’s activities.
218/09
The hotel school would be developed by The Edge Foundation in partnership
with the University and Colchester Institute, which had an established
reputation as a provider of hospitality education. All academic provision would
be provided under the auspices of the University’s existing partnership with
Colchester Institute and would be validated by the University. Proposed new
courses would be submitted to the Senate for approval in due course.
219/09
Concern was expressed about the potential impact of Learning and Skills
Council funding cuts on the project. Similar financial risks might result from a
change of Government. The expected investment of £9m in the project was
considered to be realistic, with The Edge Foundation already committed to
invest £5m and actively engaged in sourcing additional investment. However,
plans existed to develop the project with reduced investment if this proved
necessary. The closure of Wivenhoe House for refurbishment in January 2010
had been announced in light of this assessment in the interests of staff and
customers. The University was actively supporting 23 staff to find redeployment within the University (5 had already been re-deployed) or to find
alternative employment.
220/09
LEARNING AND TEACHING STRATEGY (S/09/46)
Noted
Resolved
The Learning and Teaching Strategy had been developed during the last
academic year in consultation with the academic community. The strategy
document, which would be published online, was welcomed and thanks were
accorded to all involved in its development.
221/09
The Employability Skills Working Group had been engaged in more detailed
work on employability skills development, including consideration of
discipline-specific skills development. This work was complementary to the
generic career development, personal development and professional skills
development aspects of the Learning and Teaching Strategy.
222/09
that the Learning and Teaching Strategy 2009-2013 be approved as set out in
Appendix 1 to paper S/09/46 (copy attached to the file copy of the minutes).
223/09
LATE SUBMISSION OF COURSEWORK POLICY FOR UNDERGRADUATES
(S/09/47)
Received
A paper from the Students’ Union Vice-President (Education) proposing a
review at departmental level of the current policy for late submission of
coursework for undergraduates.
6
224/09
Noted
While the student representatives on the Senate had played a key role in
securing the approval of the current ‘zero tolerance’ policy for late submission
of coursework in 2004/05, the current Vice-President (Education) believed that
the Students’ Union had a clearer mandate than had been the case five years ago
to request a review and revision of the current policy. There had been
considerable discussion and consultation with students in a variety of forums
and a General Meeting of the Student’s Union had passed a motion to campaign
for departments to be permitted to determine marks penalty policies locally.
225/09
Academic staff members of the Senate were not in favour of devolving policymaking on penalties for late submission of coursework to departments for the
following reasons:
226/09
i.
a University-wide consistent approach to penalties for late submission of
coursework was essential to ensure equitable treatment of all students,
especially where they were taking modules from different departments. This
was also essential to meet external quality assurance requirements;
ii. there was substantial evidence that the introduction of the current policy
had increased rates of coursework submission at undergraduate level,
particularly compared with postgraduate coursework submission, where
variation in marks penalty policies still existed;
iii. the current policy encouraged the development of time management skills
and enabled undergraduates to focus on their examination preparation rather
than being under pressure to complete coursework late;
iv. the introduction of any policy involving marks penalties for late submission
at department level would be inconsistent with outcomes-based assessment,
in which marks awarded should reflect achievement;
v. there would be substantial cost to embedding variety in marks penalty
policies in current systems for managing coursework submission. Resources
for systems development were under constant pressure and would be better
invested in the development of new services for students.
Student members accepted the case for adopting a consistent policy for late
submission of coursework, but pointed to the personal costs associated with
high stress levels that students experienced as a consequence of the current
‘zero tolerance’ policy.
227/09
There was general agreement that dialogue between students and academic staff
about the current late submission policy would be helpful. Discussion of this
matter at Staff Student Liaison Committees was encouraged. The proposal to
undertake a review of the policy at University level was also accepted in
principle. Student members of the Senate were invited to submit a more detailed
proposal for further discussion at the next meeting, including a fuller
explanation of the issues and proposed membership and terms of reference for a
review group. In the meantime, the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Learning and
Teaching) would meet the current and incoming holders of the Vice-President
(Education) role to discuss possible approaches to reviewing this issue.
228/09
7
REPORTS OF COMMITTEES THAT REPORT TERMLY TO SENATE
Academic Staffing Committees (S/09/48)
Noted
229/09
Quality Assurance and Enhancement Committee (S/09/49)
Report from the Working Party on Fitness to Practise
Resolved
that the amendments to the Breach of Professional Conduct and Termination of
Training Procedure, as detailed in Annex 1 of the Quality Assurance and
Enhancement Committee report (S/09/49, copy attached to the file copy of the
minutes), should be approved with effect from 2009/10.
230/09
Undergraduate School Board (S/09/50)
(a)
Amendments to Undergraduate Rules of Assessment
Resolved
(b)
that the Progress Procedures should be amended with effect from 09/10 to
reflect the fact that Boards of Examiners may take place at times other than
June and September, detailed amendments as set out in Section 2 of the report
of the Undergraduate School Board (S/09/50), copy attached to the file copy of
the minutes.
232/09
Amendments to the Academic Offences Procedures
Resolved
(d)
231/09
Amendments to the Progress Procedures
Resolved
(c)
that amendments to the Undergraduate Rules of Assessment be approved as set
out in Section 1, paragraphs a) to j), of the report of the Undergraduate School
Board (S/09/50), copy attached to the file copy of the minutes.
that the changes to the Academic Offences Procedures as set out in Appendix B
of the Undergraduate School Board Report (S/09/50, copy attached to the file
copy of the minutes) be approved with effect from 2009-10
233/09
Amendment to the policy of In-Sessional English
Resolved
that the policy regarding in-sessional English language support for non-native
students be amended as follows:
“that enrolment and attendance on in-sessional English Language courses
should be recommended for all new students who have C scores in the English
Language test at the start of the year. Students in this category should be
advised that not making use of the support could be detrimental and in the event
of failure would be part of the evidence available to Examination Boards. The
importance of taking up the language support available should be emphasised in
both pre-registration and post-registration material. All students with a B score
who request support should also be accommodated on a first-come first-served
basis, subject to sufficient resource being available.”
8
234/09
Graduate School Board (S/09/51)
(a)
Marking Policy
Resolved
that the Marking Policy for Undergraduate and Taught Postgraduate Work be
revised as follows with effect from 2009-10 (deleted wording struck through,
new text underlined) in accordance with Appendix 1 of the of the Graduate
School Board Report (S/09/51, copy attached to the file copy of the minutes).
235/09
Administrative Note:
This recommendation was jointly submitted to the Senate by the Undergraduate
and Graduate School Boards.
(b)
Amendments to Rules of Assessment
Resolved
that the Rules of Assessment for Masters Degrees, Postgraduate Diplomas,
Postgraduate Certificates and Graduate Diplomas be amended to introduce two
methods of calculating the award of a pass with merit or distinction with effect
from 2009-10 in accordance with Appendix 2 of the of the Graduate School
Board Report (S/09/51, copy attached to the file copy of the minutes).
236/09
Resolved
that for 2008-09 Boards of Examiners may exercise discretion to award
discretionary passes with merit or distinction where students’ marks profiles are
in line with the proposed arithmetic average model.
237/09
(c)
Variations to the PGT Rules of Assessment
Resolved
a) Postgraduate courses in the School of Health and Human Sciences
that the Rules of Assessment for the following postgraduate programmes in the
School of Health and Human Sciences be amended as follows from 2009-10:
i.
that the Rules of Assessment for Postgraduate Certificates in
the School of Health and Human Sciences be amended to
require students to pass 60 credits with no condonement.
ii.
that the following existing variations: that each assessment may
be resubmitted on one occasion only for a capped mark; and
that placements/work-based assessment be designated Core, be
assessed on a pass/fail basis, and be non-credit bearing, be
applied to the following new MSc/ PG Dip and PG Cert
programmes:
Primary Health Care (End of Life Care)
Primary Health Care (Respiratory Care)
Mental Health Practice
and also to the following MSc, PG Dip, PG Cert programmes
under these new titles:
9
238/09
Primary Health Care (Advanced Clinical Practice)
Primary Health Care (Long Term Conditions)
Primary Health Care (Musculoskeletal Care)
Primary Health Care Advanced Musculoskeletal Assessment
(Imaging)
Primary Health Care Advanced Musculoskeletal Assessment
and Practice
and also to the following programme under this new title:
PG Cert Primary Health Care (Clinical Practice)
iii.
that the existing variation that each assessment may be
resubmitted on one occasion only for a capped mark be applied
to the new MRes in Clinical Research
iv.
that for all Primary Health Care Programmes students be
required to pass all module assignments not just achieve an
overall pass mark for the module for the following modules:
HS909 Work-based Learning, HS955 Consultation and
Assessment Skills, HS975 Respiratory Care, HS976 Primary
Mental Health Care and HS977 End of Life Care.
b) Masters courses in the School of Health and Human Sciences
239/09
that the current variation for the following masters courses in the School of
Health and Human Sciences be changed to permit a 45 credit dissertation
(previously 40 credits), with immediate effect:
MSc Adult Nursing (pre-registration)
MSc Mental Health Nursing (pre-registration)
MSc Physiotherapy (pre-registration)
MSc Speech and Language Therapy (pre-registration)
240/09
c) International Academy
that, with immediate effect, the Rules of Assessment for the following Graduate
Diplomas in the International Academy be amended to designate which subjectspecific modules/credits will be regarded as Core for the award of the named
Graduate Certificate as an exit award and also to permit students who fail to
achieve the requirements for the named Graduate Certificate to be considered
for the award of the Graduate Certificate in English for Academic Purposes:
Art History and Theory with English for Academic Purposes
Applied Linguistics with English for Academic Purposes
Computer Science with English for Academic Purposes
Economics with English for Academic Purposes
Electronic Engineering with English for Academic Purposes
Politics with English for Academic Purposes
Psychoanalytic Studies with English for Academic Purposes
Psychological Studies with English for Academic Purposes
10
(d)
Periodic Review Reports
Resolved
that the research degree programmes in the following department and partner
college be continued to the next review cycle:
241/09
Department of Government
The Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust
(e)
Higher Degree Regulations
Resolved
(f)
that the revisions to the Code of Practice on Professional Doctorates, as set out
in GSB/09/27, be approved with effect from 2009-10.
243/09
Code of Practice – Postgraduate Research Degrees
Resolved
(h)
242/09
Code of Practice – Professional Doctorates
Resolved
(g)
that the Higher Degree Regulations be revised with effect from 2009-10
(deleted wording struck through, new text underlined) as set out in Appendix 3
of the of the Graduate School Board Report (S/09/51, copy attached to the file
copy of the minutes), subject to the further amendments set out in Appendix A
attached.
that the revisions to the Code of Practice for Postgraduate Research Degrees, as
set out in GSB/09/28, be approved with effect from 2009-10.
244/09
Research Degree Appeals Procedures
Resolved
that the revisions to the research degree appeals procedures, as set out in
GSB/09/29, be approved with effect from 2009-10.
245/09
UCS Joint Academic Committee (S/09/52)
(a)
Validation of New UCS Provision
Resolved
that the following awards be approved for delivery for a period of five years
commencing September 2009, subject to the conditions and requirements in the
validation reports being met by agreed deadlines:
UCS Bury St Edmunds
FdSc Architectural Technology
CertHE Computing and Management
FdA Computing and Management
BA (Hons) Computing and Management (progression route)
BA (Hons) Graphic Communication (progression route)
BA (Hons) Music Production (progression route)
11
246/09
FdA Salon Management
FdA Teaching, Training and Development
UCS Great Yarmouth
FdA Social Care Practice
UCS Ipswich
PGDip Advanced Healthcare Practice
MSc Advanced Healthcare Practice (Advanced Nurse Practitioner)
BSc (Hons) Child Health Nursing (pre-registration)
BA (Hons) Dance in the Community
BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies with Practitioner Options
CertHE Healthcare Practice (Maternity Assistant)
FdA Healthcare Practice (Maternity Assistant)
CertHE Healthcare Practice (Mental Health)
FdA Healthcare Practice (Mental Health)
CertHE Healthcare Practice (Rehabilitation)
FdA Healthcare Practice (Rehabilitation)
CertHE Leadership and Management
FdA Leadership and Management
PGCert Mental Health
PGDip Mental Health
MA Mental Health
BSc (Hons) Mental Health Nursing (pre-registration)
CertHE Public Health Practice
FdA Public Health Practice
FdA Social Care Practice
BSc (Hons) Specialist Community Public Health Nursing (Health Visiting)
BSc (Hons) Specialist Community Public Health Nursing (School Nursing)
UCS Lowestoft
FdA Personal Training with Sports Massage Therapy
UCS Otley
FdSc Animal Science and Welfare
FdSc Animal Science and Welfare (Equine Health)
CertHE Sustainable Land Use Management
FdSc Sustainable Land Use Management
FdA Teaching, Training and Development
FdSc Wildlife Management and Conservation
UCS at Suffolk New College
FdSc Architectural Technology
(b)
Revalidation of Existing UCS Provision
Resolved
that the following awards be reapproved for delivery for a period of five years
commencing September 2009, subject to the conditions and requirements in the
revalidation reports being met by agreed deadlines:
UCS Bury St Edmunds
FdSc Building Services Engineering
12
247/09
FdSc Civil Engineering
FdSc Construction Management (previously validated as FdSc Construction)
UCS Great Yarmouth
BA (Hons) Photographic and Digital Media
UCS Ipswich
DipHE Adult Nursing (pre-registration)
DipHE Child Health Nursing (pre-registration)
DipHE Mental Health Nursing (pre-registration)
BSc (Hons) Adult Nursing (pre-registration)
DipHE Early Childhood Studies
BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies
DipHE English
BA (Hons) English
BA (Hons) Fine Art
BA (Hons) Individual Studies (progression route – no longer offered at level
4/5)
BSc (Hons) Individual Studies (progression route – no longer offered at level
4/5)
DipHE Nutrition and Human Health
BSc (Hons) Nutrition and Human Health
BA (Hons) Social Work
DipHE Sports and Exercise Science
BSc (Hons) Sports and Exercise Science
UCS Otley
FdA Landscape and Garden Design
UCS at Suffolk New College
FdSc Building Control
FdSc Building Surveying
FdSc Civil Engineering
FdSc Construction Management (previously validated as FdSc Construction)
(c)
Withdrawal of Validated Provision
Noted
UCS had been engaged in a review of its academic strategy in the last year. A
number of courses were being discontinued, principally because demand was
poor and they were not financially viable. Courses being discontinued ranged
from academically-focused courses such as BA English and History to more
vocationally-based courses.
248/09
Resolved
that the following validated courses be withdrawn at the end of the 2008/09
academic year:
249/09
UCS Bury St Edmunds
FdA Logistics and Transport
UCS Ipswich
BSc (Hons) Computer Games Programming *
BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies and Sociology *
13
BA (Hons) English and History *
BA (Hons) English with History *
FdA Financial Services
BA (Hons) Interior Design and Digital Modelling *
BA (Hons) Model Design
BA (Hons) Social Studies
FdA Sports Management
UCS Otley
FdSc Animal Management *
FdSc Equine Performance
(d)
UCS Re-structuring
Noted
UCS was engaged in re-structuring which included the establishment of four
schools from the existing two faculties. The UCS Executive had also been restructured and now included less academic representation than previously.
Academic leadership was a key feature of the person specification for the new
Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and it was expected
that s/he would engage the academic community at senior management level.
The acting CEO was expected to involve the Heads of Schools in working with
the senior management team during the interim period.
250/09
REPORTS OF FACULTY BOARDS
Humanities & Comparative Studies (S/09/53)
(a)
Approval of New Awards
Resolved
that the following degrees be approved with effect from October 2009:
251/09
MA Local, Community, and Family History
MA Digital History
MA Curating Latin American Art
MA Curating Contemporary Art
(b)
Amendment to Award Title
Resolved
that the following change of course title be approved with effect from October
2009:
252/09
From: FdA/BA Technical Theatre Studies
To: FdA/BA Technical Theatre
(c)
Periodic Review
Resolved
that the present provision of undergraduate programmes in the Department of
History should continue for the next five years:
BA History
BA History (International Exchange)
BA American History
14
253/09
BA British & European History
BA Contemporary History
BA Modern History
BA Social & Cultural History
BA History & Criminology
BA History & Sociology
BA History & Literature
BA History with Film
BA History &/with Modern Languages
BA Modern History & International Relations
BA Modern History & Politics
Social Sciences (S/09/54)
(a)
Approval of New Awards
Resolved
that the following new award be approved with effect from October 2009:
254/09
MSc Survey Methods for Social Research*
*This award will be offered on a full-time, part-time or modular basis.
(b)
Amendment to Award Titles
Resolved
that the following award title be changed with effect from October 2009:
255/09
from PG Dip Management and Psychoanalysis
to PG Dip Management and Organisational Dynamics
(c)
Periodic Review
Resolved
that the present provision of postgraduate programmes in the Department of
Government should continue for the next five years:
256/09
MA Politics
MA European Integration
MA European Politics
MA Ideology and Discourse Analysis
MA International Relations
MA Global and Comparative Politics
MA Political Behaviour
MA Political Economy
MA Political Theory
MA Public Opinion and Polling
Grad Dip Politics
Science & Engineering (S/09/55)
(a)
Approval of New Awards
Resolved
that the following new awards be approved for introduction from October 2009:
MSc in Biotechnology: Future Crops for Food and Biofuels
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257/09
MSc, PG Dip, PG Cert Cellular Pathology
MSc, PG Dip, PG Cert Clinical Biochemistry
MSc, PG Dip, PG Cert Haematology with Hospital Transfusion Practice
MSc, PG Dip, PG Cert Cellular Pathology
MSc, PG Dip, PG Cert Medical Microbiology
PG Cert Biomedical Science
(b)
Re-Approval of Awards
Resolved
Following a re-approval event in attendance by the Nursing and Midwifery
Council the following awards be re-approved with effect from September 2009:
258/09
MSc Adult Nursing (pre-registration)
MSc Mental Health Nursing (pre-registration)
(c)
Periodic Review
Resolved
that the present provision of undergraduate programmes in the Department of
Biological Sciences should continue for the next five years:
BSc Biochemistry (3 yr)
BSc Biochemistry (4 yr) (f*)
BSc Biochemistry (4 yr) (i+)
BSc Molecular Medicine and Biochemistry (3 yr)
BSc Molecular Medicine and Biochemistry (4 yr) (foundation year)
BSc Molecular Medicine and Biochemistry (4 yr) (industrial placement)
BSc Biological Sciences (3 yr)
BSc Biological Sciences (4 yr) (f)
BSc Biological Sciences (Ecology) (3 yr)
BSc Biological Sciences (Genetics) (3 yr)
BSc Biological Sciences (Cell Biology) (3 yr)
BSc Genetics (3 yr)
BSc Genetics (4 yr) (f)
BSc Biomedical Science B990 (3 yr)
BSc Biomedical Science B992 (4 yr) (f)
BSc Biomedical Science B991 (4 yr) (i)
BSc Biomedical Science B994 (4 yr) (i) (WDC)
BSc Biomedical Science B993 (5 yr) (f) (i)
BSC Molecular Cell Biology (3 yr)
BSc Molecular Cell Biology (4 yr) (f)
BSc Clinical Physiology (Cardiology) (4 yr) (i) (WDC)
BSc Biodiversity and Conservation (3 yr)
BSc Biodiversity and Conservation (4 yr) (f)
BSc Ecology (3 yr)
BSc Ecology (4 yr) (f)
BSc Marine and Freshwater Biology (3 yr)
BSc Marine and Freshwater Biology (4 yr) (f)
BSc Sports and Exercise Science (3 yr)
BSc Sports and Exercise Science (4 yr) (f)
BSc Sports Science and Biology (3 yr)
*includes foundation year
+includes industrial placement year
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259/09
Resolved
that the present provision of undergraduate programmes in the Department of
Psychology should continue for the next five years:
260/09
BA/BSc Psychology
BA/BSc Developmental Psychology*
* These courses have been discontinued for new entrants with Senate’s
approval.
Law & Management
Noted
261/09
International Academy Board (S/09/56)
(a)
Approval of New Awards
Resolved
that the following awards be approved with effect from October 2009:
262/09
Graduate Diploma in History with English for Academic Purposes
BA Modern History (International Academy four-year)
BA Contemporary History (International Academy four-year)
BA American History (International Academy four-year)
BA History and Literature (International Academy four-year)
BA History of Art (International Academy four-year route)
BA English Literature (International Academy four-year)
BA Literature and Myth (International Academy four-year)
BA Literature and History of Art (International Academy four-year)
BA Philosophy (International Academy four-year)
BA Philosophy and History (International Academy four-year)
BA Philosophy and Literature (International Academy four-year)
BA Humanities (International Academy four-year)
The approval of the accelerated route is subject to the condition that appropriate
arrangements for the delivery of level 4 modules are agreed with the Dean of
HCS.
(b)
Periodic Review
Resolved
that the following awards be continued until the next Periodic Review:
Certificate of Higher Education in Business (Accounting, Finance and
Management)
Certificate of Higher Education in Business (International Entrepreneurship and
Innovation)
Certificate of Higher Education in Computer Science
17
263/09
Academic Partnerships Board (S/09/57)
(a)
Chair’s Action
Resolved
(b)
that FdA Early Years Education be validated for delivery at South East Essex
College for a period of three years from September 2009
264/09
Partnership with Colchester Institute
Resolved
i.
that FdA and BA (Hons) Photography be validated for a period of three
years from September 2009 subject to the conditions in the validation report
being fulfilled and monitored in accordance with the arrangements agreed
by the Board.
ii. that the following awards be validated for a period of five years from
September 2009 subject to the conditions in the validation report being
fulfilled and monitored in accordance with the arrangements agreed by the
Board:
265/09
266/09
Certificate of Higher Education
FdA Business Administration be
BA (Hons) Popular Music
(c)
Partnership with Kaplan Open Learning
Resolved
(d)
that FdA and BA (Hons) Financial Services be validated for a period of five
years from September 2009 subject to the conditions in the validation report
being fulfilled and monitored in accordance with the arrangements agreed by
the Board.
Partnership with South East Essex College
Resolved
i.
that FdA and BA (Hons) Creative Writing for Media be validated for a
period of five years from September 2009 subject to the recommendations
in the validation report being monitored in accordance with the
arrangements agreed by the Board.
ii. that FdSc and BSc (Hons) Network Technology be re-validated for delivery
at South East Essex College for a period of five years commencing
September 2009; that BSc (Hons) Computing be re-validated for delivery at
South East Essex College for a period of three years commencing
September 2009; and that FdSc Internet Technology be re-validated for
delivery at South East Essex College for a period of two years commencing
September 2009.
(b)
267/09
268/09
269/09
Partnership with Writtle College
Resolved
i.
that the following awards be re-validated for delivery at Writtle College for
a period of five years commencing September 2009:
Masters in Business Administration (MBA)
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270/09
MA Business Management
Postgraduate Diploma Business Management
Postgraduate Certificate Business Management
Postgraduate Diploma Management Studies
Postgraduate Certificate Management Studies
MSc Animal Biology and Welfare
Postgraduate Diploma Animal Biology and Welfare
Postgraduate Certificate Animal Biology and Welfare
MSc Animal Production and Nutrition
Postgraduate Diploma Animal Production and Nutrition
Postgraduate Certificate Animal Production and Nutrition
MSc Landscape Management
Postgraduate Diploma in Landscape Management
Postgraduate Certificate in Landscape Management
ii. that the following awards be validated for delivery at Writtle College for a
period of five years commencing September 2009:
MA Historic Designed Landscapes
Postgraduate Diploma in Historic Designed Landscapes
Postgraduate Certificate in Historic Designed Landscapes
BA (Hons) Art and Design Practice, subject to the recommendations in the
validation report being monitored in accordance with the arrangements
agreed by the Board.
271/09
REPORTS OF COMMITTEES THAT REPORT ANNUALLY TO SENATE
Ethics Committee (S/09/58)
Noted
272/09
Information Systems Strategy Committee (S/09/59)
Noted
273/09
Research Strategy Committee (S/09/60)
Noted
274/09
ANNUAL REVIEW OF CENTRES (S/09/61)
Noted
The Centre for Cultural and Social History was a distinct centre with
membership and activities both in the Faculty of Humanities and Comparative
Studies and of Social Sciences.
275/09
Agreed
The Centres Annual Activity Report should in future indicate where a centre is
shared by two or more faculties.
276/09
Resolved
i.
277/09
that the Technology and Social Change Research Centre (TaSC) be closed
at the end of the 2008-09 academic year.
ii. that the Centre for Intimate and Sexual Citizenship CISC) be established
under the directorship of Dr Róisín Ryan-Flood.
19
278/09
AMENDMENTS TO ORDINANCES AND REGULATIONS (S/09/62)
(i)
Ordinance 14
Recommended to Council
that Ordinance 14 be revised with effect from 2009-10 (deleted wording struck
through, new text underlined) in accordance with Appendix 2 of the
Amendments to Ordinances and Regulations paper (S/09/62, copy attached to
the file copy of the minutes).
(ii)
279/09
Ordinance 22
Recommended to Council
that Ordinance 22 be revised as below with effect from 2009-10 (new text
underlined):
280/09
The Boards and Committees of the Council and the Senate
1. The Council and the Senate may appoint Boards and Committees consisting
either wholly or partly of members of the Council and/or the Senate.
2. The Boards and Committees of the Council and the Senate shall be as
published annually in the University Calendar.
3. The Council and the Senate shall determine annually the membership and
terms of reference of their Boards and Committees, and these shall be
published in the University Calendar.
4. The Council and the Senate may delegate such functions and the exercise of
specified powers to Boards and Committees as it may think fit.
5. The Council and the Senate shall receive annually a schedule of delegated
powers in accordance with paragraph 4.
Nothing in this Ordinance shall enable the Council to delegate its power to
reach a decision under paragraph 8(b) of the Charter.
(iii)
Regulations
Resolved
(iv)
that amendments to Regulations 1.4, 2.1, 6.19 and 11.46 be approved with effect
from 2009-10, as set out in paper S/09/62, copy attached to the file copy of the
minutes.
281/09
Disciplinary Procedures
Resolved
that paragraph F.8 be added to the Disciplinary Procedures with effect from
2009-10 (new text underlined):
F. A Disciplinary Committee of Appeal
F.8.
The Office of the Independent Adjudicator for Higher Education (OIA) provides
an independent scheme for the review of student complaints or appeals. When
20
282/09
the University’s internal procedures for dealing with complaints and appeals
have been exhausted, the University will issue a Completion of Procedures
letter. Students wishing to avail themselves of the opportunity of an independent
review by the OIA must submit their application to the OIA within three months
of the issue of the Completion of Procedures letter. Full details of the scheme
are available on request and will be enclosed with the Completion of
Procedures.
(v)
Regulations 5.1 – 5.18 and the Academic Offences Procedures
Resolved
that regulations 5.1-5.18 and the Academic Offences Procedures be amended
with effect from 2009-10 as set out in paper S/09/62, copy attached to the file
copy of the minutes.
283/09
MEMBERSHIP AND TERMS OF REFERENCE OF SENATE COMMITTEES AND
ADVISORY GROUPS 2009/10 (S/09/63)
Resolved
that amendments to the membership and/or terms of reference of Senate
committees and advisory groups in 2009/10 be approved as detailed in S/09/63,
copy attached to the file copy of the minutes (new wording underlined, deleted
wording struck through).
284/09
VOTE OF THANKS
Noted
The Vice-Chancellor thanked retiring members, particularly the President and
Vice-President (Education) of the Students’ Union, for their contributions to the
work of the Senate. On behalf of the Senate, profound thanks were also
recorded to Professor Joan Busfield whose membership of the Senate was
coming to an end after seven years as Dean of the Graduate School, for her
commitment to the work of the Senate during this term of office as well as
previous periods of membership.
Dr Tony Rich
Registrar and Secretary
1 July 2009
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285/09