UNIVERSITY OF ESSEX
UNIVERSITY/STUDENTS’ UNION CONSULTATIVE GROUP
DATE OF MEETING
07.07.06
MINUTES
Chair
Present
Apologies
In attendance
1)
Tony Rich, Registrar (AHR)
Siobhan Kinealy, SU President (SK) Hannah McFaull,
Incoming SU President (HMF), Bav Patel, VP Academic &
Welfare (BP), Nike Akinde, Incoming VP Academic & Welfare
(NA), Dave Savage, Incoming VP Sports & Societies (DS),
Richard Brabner, VP Student Development (RB), Phill
Pearson, Incoming VP Student Development (PP), Antony
Blackshaw, SU General Manager (AB), John Gilfillan,
Membership Services Manager (JG), Moira Collett, Academic
Registrar (MC), Paula Rothero, Assistant Director of Student
Support (PR) Darren Baker, Customer Services and
Marketing Manager (DB), Andrew Nightingale, Director of
Estate Management (AN)
Rachel Fletcher, Director of Student Support (RF), Steve
Tighe, VP Sports and Societies (ST)
Zoe Kent Administrator (PA to GM)
Introductions
Ref no.
Init.
The group introduced themselves.
2)
Minutes of the previous meeting (25.05.06)
42/2006 – AHR reiterated that it would be a stronger
argument if the SU can compile opinions from
students on the issue of anonymous marking.
79/2006
50/2006 – DB updated that post will be delivered to
Summer Students. It will be sorted alphabetically and
checked every couple of months.
80/2006
52/2006 – NA will be continuing BP’s work against
drugs on campus this year.
81/2006
71/2006 – JG to speak to Kay or Lizzie to discuss
ensuring the date on visa letters are always the same.
83/2006
JG
72/2006 – MC explained that the exams office has been
down by 2 members of staff and so it has not been
possible to compile a mock timetable for next year as
yet.
84/2006
The SU representatives were originally concerned
about the effect on student employment and how
many firsts & 2:1s were being achieved. AHR said if
graduation was pushed back another week it would
make everything more problematic as it would go into
the Summer Break which would cause difficulties for
staff by pushing into school holidays and probably
less convenient for graduates and their
parents/friends. Further concerns were raised
regarding the spread of exams for some students over
a relatively small period of time.
85/2006
AHR said modelling can continue to be done but this
86/2006
will be difficult until there is another trained member of
staff. AHR suggested the SU submit a paper to the
Quality Assurance Committee if still have issues.
3)
JG and MC to look into ensuring rooms are available
for students to revise in. Liaise with Information
Centre etc.
87/2006
74/2006 – DS explained that he and ST had been
disappointed at the news that the opportunity for CBA
to be located at Brightlingsea had been lost.
88/2006
AN reported that as far as he was aware it was the
legal agreement CBA were not happy with as opposed
to the cost. AHR agreed that there needs to be more
consistency in future to ensure this does not happen
again. It was suggested that a joined up approach
between the University, SU and Sports Centre with a
single point of contact was necessary in future.
89/2006
75/2006 – It was noted an offer has been provisionally
accepted for Avon Way and if all goes ahead the sale
will be completed within about 3 months. Will be sold
free hold with vacant possession.
90/2006
Feedback from meetings
a) Welfare minutes (no minutes available)
91/2006
b) Sports Advisory Group (No minutes available)
92/2006
c) Multi-Faith Chaplaincy Centre (No minutes
93/2006
SU
JG,
MC
Available)
There was no feedback from any of the above
meetings.
4)
5)
Ongoing use of the Hex for Faith events
GB informed that the dates for Ramadan this year are
approx. 22nd September - 25th October.
95/2006
The SU suggested that in the long term the Multifaith
Chaplaincy should take charge of the arrangements
for Ramadan.
It was noted that there are already some dates booked
into the Hex but MC said they will try their best to
move these. JG to compile a detailed list of what these
meetings are.
GB pointed out that Sub Zero will also be available so
this could be used if required.
96/2006
7)
97/2006
JG
98/2006
E15 Resource Fee
The SU representatives asked what was happening
with the E15 resource fee. AHR said he thought it
would be incorporated into the new level of variable
fees. AHR to confirm this.
6)
94/2006
99/2006
AHR
Employability
RB outlined his paper to the group.
It was noted the careers service is being relocated to
improve employability opportunities. It was agreed
that the University and the Students Union should
work together to push the issue across the whole
University. RB to send his paper to Andy, Stella and
Jo.
100/2006
MC informed that every student next term will have
access to a PDP system. MC requested this facility
also be pushed by the SU.
101/2006
RB
SU
AOB
SK thanked everyone for attending USUCON meetings
over the past year. AHR thanked the outgoing Sabbs
for all their work.
102/2006