Unapproved
UNIVERSITY OF ESSEX
SENATE
Wednesday 20 April 2016
2pm – 4.50pm
MINUTES
(Unreserved)
Chair
Professor Anthony Forster, Vice-Chancellor
Present
Shola Akinyemi, Richard Barnard, Eigaude Bertasiute, Jessica Blair, Dr Ilaria
Boncori, Dr Karen Brennan, Dr Malcolm Brynin, Professor Nick Buck, Professor Joan
Busfield, Adrian Chira, Professor Edward Codling, Dr Nilufer Demirkan-Jones, Osei
Downes, Professor Maria Fasli, Dr Matt ffytche, Professor Lorna Fox O’Mahony,
Professor Fabian Freyenhagen, Dr Michael Fry, Dr Nicolas Geeraert, Dr Valerie
Gladwell, Sherrie Green, Professor Roger Hawkins, Professor Eddie Higgs, Ruairi
Hipkin, Professor Jo Jackson, Dr Timo Jűtten, Dr Nancy Kula, Professor Heather
Laurie, Professor Rene Lindstaedt, Professor Simon Lucas, Dr Chris Main, Professor
Roderick Main, Stephen McAuliffe, Andrew McIntosh, Dr Dom Micklewright, Richard
Murphy, Professor Aletta Norval, Professor David Pevalin, Professor Jules Pretty,
Rhoda Quist, Professor Christine Raines, Dr Kate Rockett, Professor Leon Rubin, Dr
Chris Saker, Professor Abdellah Salhi, Professor David Sanders, Dr Vikki-Jo Scott,
Dr Stevphen Shukaitis, Professor Phil Terry, Cathy Walsh, Professor Geoff Ward,
Professor Geoff Wood
Apologies
Professor Noam Lubell, Professor Sean Nixon, Professor Graham Underwood
Secretary
Bryn Morris, Registrar and Secretary
In
attendance
Zoe Garshong, Monica Illsley, Andrew Keeble, Rachel Lucas, Alex Seabrook,
Richard Stock
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Senate Noted The Vice-Chancellor recorded his thanks to Richard Barnard, for whom
the meeting was his last as a member of Senate due to his impending
retirement from the University. Senate members joined Professor Forster
in thanking Mr Barnard for his service to the University over many years
and noted that he would be replaced by Dr Nilufer Demirkan-Jones, who
would become an ex-officio member of Senate as Head of the
International Academy with effect from 1 May 2016. Dr Demirkan-Jones
would be replaced as an elected member of Senate by Dr Guinluigi
Vernasca in accordance with Ordinance 18.
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Senate members noted that the terms of office for two elected members
of Senate ended on 31 July 2016 (Professor Joan Busfield and Dr Chris
Saker). Elections to fill the vacancies via the online voting system were
under way. Friday 22 April 2016 was the deadline for voting and the
results would be announced on Tuesday 26 April 2016.
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The minutes of the meeting held on 20 January 2016.
53/16
MINUTES
Senate
Approved
MATTERS ARISING FROM MINUTES
None
54/16
BUSINESS TAKEN WITHOUT DISCUSSION
Senate
Noted and
Approved
55/16
FORMAL BUSINESS (S/16/15)
Amendment to Ordinance 31
Senate Noted
Amendments were required to Ordinance 31 in order to ensure they
reflected accurately the provisions set out in (i) Ordinance 3, which
covered the responsibility for undertaking the functions of the
Chancellor during a vacancy in the office of Chancellor or during his or
her inability through illness or any other cause to perform them; and
(ii) Ordinance 46, which set out the responsibility for the conferral of
Degrees, Diplomas, Certificates and other awards of the University.
56/16
Recommended
to Council
that Ordinance 31 be amended as below:
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Ordinance 31
GRADUATION
Degrees of tThe University shall be conferred at hold graduation
ceremonies held from time to time, which shall be presided over by
the Chancellor or, in his or her absence, a Pro-Chancellor, the ViceChancellor or his or her nominee.
Appointment of the Deputy Dean (Education) for the Faculty of Social
Sciences
Recommended to
Council
that Dr Jackie Turton be appointed as the Deputy Dean
(Education) for the Faculty of Social Sciences for the following
period:
1/8/16 to 31/7/19
2
58/16
Re-appointment of the Deputy Dean (Education) for the Faculty of
Humanities
Recommended to
Council
that Dr Peter Luther be re-appointed as the Deputy Dean
(Education) for the Faculty of Humanities for the following period:
59/16
1/8/16 to 31/7/19
Re-appointment of the Deputy Dean (Education) for the Faculty of Science
and Health
Recommended to
Council
that Dr David Penman be re-appointed as the Deputy Dean
(Education) for the Faculty of Science and Health for the following
period:
60/16
1/8/16 to 31/7/19
Re-appointment of the Deputy Dean (Academic Partnerships)
Recommended to
Council
that Allan Hildon be re-appointed as the Deputy Dean (Academic
Partnerships) for the following period:
61/16
1/8/16 to 31/7/19
Appointment of the Head of the Department of Mathematical Sciences
Recommended to
Council
that Professor Berthold Lausen be appointed as Head of the
Department of Mathematical Sciences for the following period:
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1/8/16 to 31/7/19
Re-appointment of the Head of the Department of Sociology
Recommended to
Council
that Professor Sean Nixon be re-appointed as the Head of the
Department of Sociology for the following period:
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1/8/16 to 31/7/17
Re-appointment of the Head of the Department of Language and Linguistics
Recommended to
Council
that Dr Nancy Kula be re-appointed as Head of the Department of
Language and Linguistics for the following period:
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1/8/16 to 31/7/18
Appointment and re-appointment of the Appeals Officers
Recommended to
Council
that Barry Pryer and Jessie Mallinson be appointed and Roy
Bailey be re-appointed as Appeals Officers for the following
respective periods:
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Barry Pryer 1/8/16 to 30/9/18
Jessie Mallinson 1/8/16 to 30/9/18
Roy Bailey 1/10/16 to 30/9/18
Recommendations for the re-appointment of Officers
Senate
Agreed
That future recommendations for the re-appointment of Officers would
include information on the postholder’s previous length of service.
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VICE CHANCELLOR’S REPORT AND ORAL BRIEFING (S/16/16)
Received
The Vice-Chancellor’s written report to Senate.
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Senate
Noted
The Vice-Chancellor reported that the Albert Sloman Library extension and
Silberrad Student Centre had been awarded the Royal Institute of British
Architects (RIBA) East Award 2016 and RIBA East Building of the Year
2016.
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An update was provided on the initial outcome of the 2016-17 planning
round following the recent meeting of the Resources Committee, which
had agreed a number of recommendations for consideration and approval
by Council on 10 May. In particular, Resources Committee had reviewed
the draft budget for the 2016-17 academic year, which had been prepared
on the basis of individual plans from academic departments and
professional services sections and was based upon challenging
but realistic student number targets for entry in October 2016. The
Committee approved recommendations to:
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
recruit a net additional 35.6 academic staff (28.6 permanent
Academic Staff with Education and Research (ASER)
responsibilities and Academic Staff with Education (ASE)
responsibilities and 7 staff on fixed term contracts), 9.6
net additional professional services staff within departments and a
further 9.6 net additional posts within central professional services
70/16

close the professorial gender pay gap by paying all female
professors an additional three increments on base salaries from
2016-17.
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During discussion, Senate members noted the University’s commitment to
preventing a reopening of the gender pay gap and the forthcoming equal
pay audit during 2016-17, which would support this work.
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ADMISSIONS
ADMISSIONS UPDATE FOR 2016 ENTRY (S/16/17)
Received
A paper prepared by Vanessa Potter (Director of Communications and
External Relations) and Lindsey Russell (Director of Marketing and Student
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Recruitment), which provided an update on the undergraduate and
postgraduate admissions position for 2016 entry.
Senate
Noted
Professor Jules Pretty (Deputy Vice-Chancellor) provided an updated
summary of the admissions position for 2016 entry, noting that the
undergraduate applications were 1.5% higher than this point in 2015, with
the number of applications already exceeding any year apart from 2013
and 2015. Applications for postgraduate taught study and postgraduate
research were slightly lower than in 2015.
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During discussion, the impact of the Home Office requirements in relation
to sponsoring international students was noted. It was also reported that
the resourcing model for admissions work was under review with plans to
increase resourcing in line with the growth in applications to study at the
University.
75/16
POSTGRADUATE STUDENT ADMISSIONS - REVIEW (VERBAL UPDATE)
Received
Professor Pretty provided a verbal update, which outlined information on
the mix of postgraduate taught and research students as a proportion of
the overall student population, the changing nature of the postgraduate
taught student market and the growing importance of scholarships for
postgraduate research students linked to Doctoral Training Colleges
(DTCs) and Doctoral Training Partnerships (DTPs). A paper on the
University’s strategy towards postgraduate recruitment would be
considered by a future meeting of Senate.
76/16
Senate
Noted
Senate members noted that there had been no significant change in the
overall mix of undergraduate and postgraduate students over the last 15
years with around a quarter of the overall student population made up of
postgraduates. Future strategy would focus on research student
progression and completion within four years and a reduction in the
student withdrawal rate. The links between progression, completion and
funding were also highlighted as was the quality of supervision for
postgraduate students, which was acknowledged as a vital aspect in
supporting progression and completion. It was noted that there had been a
significant shift towards funding by DTCs and DTPs and a move away from
Research Council funding, which would have an impact on the University’s
approach to scholarships. During discussion, Senate members noted the
role postgraduate research provision could play in supporting the focus on
research-led education and the importance of the progression route
between undergraduate and postgraduate taught study.
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UNIVERSITY WEBSITE – PROGRESS UPDATE (S/16/18)
Received
A paper prepared by Richard Murphy (Director, IT Services) and Vanessa
Potter, which provided an update on the web presence project and
summarised the main findings and recommendations included in the
consultant’s report on the first phase of the website project and included a
timetable for further action.
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Senate
Noted
There were ongoing challenges with the University’s website, which the
project sought to address by improving the underlying architecture,
particularly with the introduction of a web content management system.
Senate noted that key areas for development related to support for access
to the website via the range of mobile devices available and ensuring
personalisation for users. Senate members welcomed the update and
requested more detail on the proposed new functionality that it was
expected the project would deliver. It was agreed that a brief paper would
be circulated to Senate members during the 2016 summer term via the
secretary with more information about the proposed functionality. During
discussion, accessibility to web content for those with individual needs was
noted as important and something that was being addressed. As part of
regular updates to Senate on progress with the project, a paper would be
considered by Senate at its meeting in October 2016.
79/16
INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY (S/16/19)
Received
A paper prepared by Professor Lorna Fox O’Mahony (Executive Dean,
Humanities), which reported on the options analysis carried out for the
University Steering Group in light of a review of the recovery plan put in
place for the International Academy following the strategic review in 2012.
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Senate
Noted
Professor Fox O’Mahony provided an overview of the background and
work to date in preparing the options for the future development of the
areas of work currently led by the International Academy, which covered
recruitment to a range of pathway programmes, pre-sessional provision
and in-sessional support and year zero home programmes. In particular,
the need to improve the recruitment of students to the pathway provision
was highlighted. Senate acknowledged the significant progress that had
been made by the leadership team in the International Academy since
2012 to improve its financial position but noted that the recruitment
position for the international pathway programmes remained challenging.
The proposed direction of travel included establishing a partnership with a
private provider to deliver this growth and using the capacity this released
to enable the expansion of in-session provision offered within the
University in support of student retention and attainment.
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Senate was invited to endorse the direction of travel set out in the paper,
which included further work to develop a more detailed understanding of
the range of opportunities that may flow from a partnership with a private
pathway provider and the capacity to deliver ‘in-house’ support for
retention and attainment. It was noted that reconfiguration of the activities
currently delivered through the International Academy could involve its
modification or discontinuation as an academic department of the
University. The commitment to avoiding redundancies was stressed.
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During discussion, Senate members were supportive of the proposed
approach. There was discussion about the role a private provider could
play in improving the recruitment position for pathway programmes. It was
noted that the types of providers with which the University would seek
partnership were internationally-renowned with a strong presence in
countries around the world and significant experience and capacity. There
83/16
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was acknowledgment of the need to protect and enhance the student
experience as well as safeguard existing Year 0 provision and
arrangements during the process to implement any agreed changes and
beyond. There was a strong commitment to continuing this work in
consultation with the IA leadership team, mindful of the potential effects on
staff affected by the proposed changes and ensuring that the work was
completed in a timely but considered manner. Senate would be kept
informed of progress. Formal recommendations for change would be
submitted to Senate in due course.
POSTGRADUATE CREDIT FRAMEWORK (S/16/20)
Received
A paper prepared by Dr David Penman (Deputy Dean, Education, Science
and Health) and Jenny Wilders, which set out the report and
recommendations from the Task and Finish Group on the Postgraduate
Taught Credit Framework.
84/16
Senate
Noted
Professor Aletta Norval (Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Education) outlined the
work of the Task and Finish Group in reviewing the Postgraduate Credit
Framework as part of the broader work in relation to the University’s
academic infrastructure. The Group had considered the academic
rationale as well as the overhead in managing two credit frameworks and
the impact on students and staff of moving to a single framework. Although
the impact of running two frameworks was acknowledged, the Group had
concluded that there was no clear evidence that moving to a single
framework would bring about significant educational benefits. It had been
noted that there needed to be greater distinction made between 15 and 20
credit variants of modules. Where such variants existed, departments
would be required to review them and to obtain permission for their
continued operation. Departments also had to review the volume and
modes of assessment, as well as contact hours of such variants, so as to
ensure that there was a clear distinction between the 15 and 20 credit
variants. Departments operating with a mix of credit structures at PGT
level were strongly encouraged to consider moving to a single framework.
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Senate
Agreed
That the recommendations from the Task and Finish Group be approved
as set out in paper S/16/20.
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REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES
ACADEMIC STAFFING COMMITTEE (S/16/21)
Senate
Noted
87/16
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EDUCATION COMMITTEE (S/16/22)
Digital Skills
Senate
Agreed
That the recommendations in relation to Digital Skills be approved, as set
out in paper S/16/22.
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Report from the Task and Finish Group on the Postgraduate Taught
Credit Framework
Senate
Agreed
That the recommendations from the Task and Finish Group on the
Postgraduate Taught Credit Framework be approved.
89/16
Proposed variations to the Rules of Assessment
Senate
Agreed
That the University’s Rules of Assessment be amended as set out in
appendix A of paper S/16/22.
90/16
Proposed revisions to the Library Rules and Regulations
Senate
Agreed
That the University’s Library Rules and Regulations be amended as set out
in appendix B of paper S/16/22.
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HONORARY DEGREES AND HONORARY FELLOWSHIPS COMMITTEE
(S/16/23)
Senate
Agreed
That the nominations for the award of Honorary Degrees be approved and
recommended to Council, as set out in paper S/16/23.
92/16
PROGRESS REPORTS ON 2015-16 EDUCATION AND RESEARCH ACTION
PLANS
Senate
Noted
93/16
Richard Stock
Director of Academic Services
20 April 2016
8