Unapproved
UNIVERSITY OF ESSEX
EDUCATION COMMITTEE
Wednesday 18 June 2014
2pm –4.45pm
MINUTES
(Unreserved)
Chair
Professor Jane Wright
Present
Dr Andrews, Ms Fisher, Professor Landman, Professor Main, Mr McAuliffe, Professor
Norval, Dr Penman, Mr Potter, Professor Underwood
Apologies
Ms Berntsen, Professor Fox O’Mahony, Dr Luther, Dr Micklewright
Secretary
Mr Stock
In attendance
Mrs Nixon
BUSINESS TAKEN WITHOUT DISCUSSION
Approved
Without discussion, those items not already starred on the agenda or indicated
at the meeting
EC/85/14
MINUTES FROM THE MEETING HELD ON 19 MARCH 2014 (EC/14/30)
Approved
EC/86/14
MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES
Noted
The Secretary reported on the actions agreed on 19 March 2014, specifically
relating to some of the data discussed regarding equality and diversity
monitoring (minute EC/49/14 to EC/55/14). Ethnicity data were provided under
item 13(a), paper EC/14/39. Clarification relating to the policy on the Late
Submission of Coursework was provided under item 21, paper EC/14/57.
EC/87/14
REPORT ON CHAIR’S ACTION (EC/14/31)
Noted
EC/88/14
CHAIR’S ORAL REPORT
Noted
The Chair thanked the outgoing student members of the Committee for their
contribution during 2013-14 and wished them well for the future. Members also
noted that it would be the last meeting for Professor Norval as Dean
Postgraduate Research and Education, who would become Pro-ViceChancellor (Education) and Chair of Education Committee from 1 August 2014.
1
EC/89/14
Members had been consulted as part of the review of the operation of the
Education Committee in its first year and broader review of the operation of the
revised Senate Committee structure during 2013-14. Although there were
areas for improvement with the new structure generally, feedback in relation to
Education Committee had been positive. A report on the operation of the new
structure would be submitted to Senate on 2 July 2014, which would note that:

the structure had worked well during its first year and there was no
need for significant or fundamental amendments to the membership
and terms of reference of the Committees established in 2013

the meeting pattern for 2013-14 should be revised for 2014-15 to
address some of the issues encountered relating to the spacing
between meetings, links with the planning process and removal of
unnecessary meetings

Work was required to avoid unnecessary duplication in relation to the
reporting between committees

Awareness among partner institutions of broader University activities
or policy decisions was important

Attendance at meetings of Senate and Committees of Senate should
take precedence over other University or external meetings

Senate should reaffirm that it was the responsibility of the Chair of a
Committee to determine the agenda of its meetings.
EC/90/14
A review had been undertaken of the University’s Frontrunners programme. It
had been agreed that more flexibility would be introduced into the system and
the funding aligned more closely with the patterns of student engagement with
the programme.
EC/91/14
Following the establishment of the Student Representatives Policy in 2012-13,
the Academic Quality and Standards Committee had established a small group
comprising representatives from the Students’ Union, the Pro-Vice-Chancellor
(Education), the Academic Registrar and Dr Lisa Wade (elected member of
Senate) to review the operation of the policy and recommend changes to
Education Committee and Senate. Chair’s action had been taken on behalf of
the Education Committee to recommend the revised policy to Senate. The
principal change related to the selection process for student representatives.
EC/92/14
A project was under way to integrate work-based learning into the curriculum.
Academic Quality and Standards Committee had considered an initial report at
its June 2014 meeting and further work would be led by the incoming Pro-ViceChancellor (Education) in 2014-15.
EC/93/14
QUALITY ASSURANCE AGENCY HIGHER EDUCATION REVIEW: SELF
EVALUATION DOCUMENT (EC/14/32)
Received
A paper prepared by Claire Nixon (Deputy Academic Registrar, Academic
Standards and Partnerships) providing an update on preparations for the
impending QAA Higher Education Review. The draft Self-Evaluation Document
was presented for discussion and recommendation to Senate.
EC/94/14
Noted
The Committee was very supportive of the draft SED, including the student
members, who provided very positive feedback. It was noted that the
EC/95/14
2
document would continue to be refined before being finalised. It had been
agreed by Senate that, following its final consideration on 2 July 2014, the
Vice-Chancellor would take Chair’s action on behalf of Senate to approve the
final version. As part of the ongoing process of refinement, members were
encouraged to provide any minor points or clarifications to the Academic
Standards and Partnerships team.
Resolved
That the draft Self-Evaluation Document be recommended to Senate as set out
in paper EC/14/32 and circulated separately to the Committee prior to the
meeting, noting that the further changes would be made before final
submission to the QAA in September 2014.
EC/96/14
INSTITUTIONAL REVIEW OF EXTERNAL EXAMINER REPORTS, 2012-13
(EC/14/33)
Received
A paper prepared by Claire Nixon and Tony Platt (Administrative Officer,
Academic Standards and Partnerships) providing an overview of the external
examiner reports for 2012-13 and a summary of the key issues.
EC/97/14
Noted
The Committee noted that, with few exceptions, overall comments by external
examiners on modules and programmes at all levels and across all Faculties
were very positive. During discussion, the importance of ensuring a holistic
approach and effective communications of External Examiner outcomes
between courses and at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels was
noted.
EC/98/14
There was discussion about language support for all students. Dr Andrews
provided an update on the Talent Development Centre, which would be
established in 2014-15 with a phased implementation over the next two to
three years. The Centre would build on the success of the University Skills
Centre and would ensure the focus was widened to cover more students
across a broader range of abilities. The toolkit under development to support
the review of assessment as part of the curriculum review would facilitate this
work.
EC/99/14
The Committee noted that it would receive an annual report on external
examiner reports at its meeting in the Autumn term.
EC/100/14
INSTITUTIONAL REVIEW OF NATIONAL STUDENT SATISFACTION SURVEY
OUTCOMES 2013 (EC/14/34)
Received
A paper prepared by Rich Alderman (Assistant Education Manager, Policy and
Development) providing an overview of the National Student Survey 2013 and
a summary of the key issues.
EC/101/14
Noted
There was discussion about the organisation of deadlines, which was an issue
highlighted regularly in feedback from students. It was noted that Senate had
approved a set of recommendations in 2011 in relation to coursework
deadlines and that the planned curriculum review including a review of
assessment, would further enhance the University’s approach. The Committee
agreed that Departments played an important role in ensuring an holistic
approach towards the organisation of deadlines and that a recommendation
should be made to Senate to reaffirm the requirement for Departments to
review their deadlines regularly in line with good practice and existing
University policy.
EC/102/14
3
Resolved
That the following recommendations be approved:

Education Committee should receive an overview of NSS outcomes
data at its first meeting of each academic year to identify (i) key
themes emerging from the NSS results to inform faculty and
departmental planning; (ii) any outlying areas (either positive or
negative) at departmental level; and (iii) any concerns with regard to
equality and diversity and the representative nature of the survey.
EC/103/14

Education Committee should receive a report from each faculty that
addresses any themes at faculty or departmental level and note any
specific actions.
EC/104/14

Education Committee should adopt the monitoring schedule outlined in
paper EC/14/34.
EC/105/14

Departmental NSS commentaries should be shared with Student-Staff
Liaison Committees and via the ‘current students’ departmental web
pages as standard practice.
EC/106/14

That Education Committee recommend to Senate to reaffirm the
requirement for Departments to review their coursework deadlines
regularly in line with good practice and existing University policy.
EC/107/14
EDUCATION ACTION PLAN
EDUCATION ACTION PLAN 2013-14: PROGRESS REPORT (EC/14/35)
Received
A paper prepared by Professor Jane Wright (Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Education)
providing an update on progress with the Education Action Plan for 2013-14.
Noted
The Committee received further verbal updates in relation to the following
items in the Action Plan:
EC/108/14
Undergraduate and taught postgraduate research internship scheme
The scheme had been very successful in its first year of operation and would
be extended further in 2014-15, with 20 bursaries per faculty offered rather
than 10 offered in 2013-14.
EC/109/14
University-wide Review of Assessment
The Review of Assessment would be undertaken as part of the Curriculum
Review informed by the development of the planned toolkit.
EC/110/14
Develop a new strategic framework for the development of collaborative
educational partnerships
Drawing upon work undertaken by the Academic Standards and Partnerships
Office (ASPO), the Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Academic Registrar were
working with colleagues in ASPO, Communications and External Relations and
the Research and Enterprise Office to develop a comprehensive strategic
approach that would encompass all partnership development across the three
domains of excellence in education, excellence in research and student
recruitment.
EC/111/14
4
Review the current pattern and extent of space provision for research
students
The Dean of Postgraduate Research and Education had completed a review,
which had been circulated to Executive Deans for information and consultation.
The report would feed into work to be undertaken in 2014-15 on the
University’s postgraduate offer.
EC/112/14
The Committee noted that the progress report would be considered by Senate
at its meeting on 2 July 2014 and would include the updates described above.
EC/113/14
PROPOSED EDUCATION ACTION PLAN 2014-15 (EC/14/36)
Received
A paper prepared by Professor Jane Wright setting out the proposed Education
Action Plan for 2014-15, which was presented for discussion and
recommendation to Senate.
EC/114/14
Noted
The Committee was very supportive of the actions identified for 2014-15. It was
agreed that action A5 should be amended to make reference to student
representation on the proposed small group planned to the review the
Employability Strategy.
EC/115/14
Resolved
That the proposed Education Action Plan for 2014-15 be recommended to
Senate as set out in paper EC/14/36, subject to the amendment described
above.
EC/116/14
CURRICULUM REVIEW: PRINCIPLES AND PROCESS (EC/14/37)
Received
A paper prepared by Stephen McAuliffe (Academic Registrar) and Dr Sonia
Virdee (Director of Strategic Planning) outlining the recommended approach to
addressing and supporting the requirements of the Education Strategy in
relation to curriculum review and development.
EC/117/14
Noted
The Committee was supportive of the proposed principles and process, which
were designed to enable flexibility for Departments, with oversight by the
Faculty Education Committees and reporting to Education Committee as
appropriate. The development of the planned toolkit would play an important
part in supporting the process and ensuring the requirements of the Curriculum
Review were met. It was agreed that paragraphs 2.1 and 2.5 in the paper
should be combined before recommending it to Senate.
EC/118/14
Resolved
That the Curriculum Review Principles and Process paper be recommended to
Senate as set out in paper EC/14/37, subject to the minor amendment
described above.
EC/119/14
DEVELOPMENT OF THE ESSEX EXPERIENCE (EC/14/38)
Received
A paper prepared by Hannah Gott (Strategic Development Manager, Campus
Services), Professor Jane Wright, Professor Aletta Norval (Dean of
Postgraduate Research and Education & Pro-Vice Chancellor (Education)
Designate), Peter Church (Director of Campus Services) and Stephen
McAuliffe reporting on the work undertaken to date by the Task & Finish Group
on Living & Learning Communities, established by the Student Experience
Committee. The report sought recommendation to Senate for further work to
articulate and develop the concept and delivery of ‘The Essex Experience’.
5
EC/120/14
Noted
Resolved
The Committee noted the considerable work that had been undertaken during
2013-14, which had resulted in a move away from the language of ‘living and
learning’ to the development of the ‘Essex Experience;’ based on the principles
of partnership, student responsibility for shaping their learning and support to
enable students to recognise the full range of opportunities available.
EC/121/14
During discussion, the Committee was very supportive of the general direction
and thrust of the ‘Essex Experience’ concept. It was agreed that it should not
be seen as an additional extra but integral to the overall experience for all
students. It was noted that the planned ongoing work should include partner
institutions as appropriate to support partners in developing similar equivalent
initiatives for students studying University of Essex validated programmes of
study.
EC/122/14
That the Development of ‘The Essex Experience’ paper be recommended to
Senate as set out in paper EC/14/38.
EC/123/14
EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY
ETHNICITY DATA (EC/14/39)
Received
A paper prepared by Ray Lashley (Head of Planning and Performance
Information) and Natasha Mooney (Planning and Information Officer) providing
data relating to ethnicity within the context of student achievement.
EC/124/14
Noted
The Committee noted that the data should be considered with caution as (i)
students were not required to declare their ethnicity, which may have an impact
on the overall picture presented by the data, and (ii) further and more detailed
analysis was required in order to verify trends appropriately. During discussion,
the Committee identified the gender variance in some disciplines, specifically
Computer Science.
EC/125/14
Resolved
That the data should be provided to Departments, Schools and Centres by the
Executive Deans to enable reflection during the next round of planning
meetings in the autumn term and as part of the curriculum review.
EC/126/14
EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY, MONITORING ACROSS THE HE SECTOR
Received
A paper prepared Karen Bush (Equality and Diversity Manager), which
provided an overview of how other HE institutions considered equality and
diversity matters.
EC/127/14
Noted
The Committee had requested the paper in order to ensure the approach it
was taking in this area was in line with practice elsewhere. Although there were
some differences in the information considered, and how it was considered,
broadly speaking, the Committee noted that the approach the University had
adopted was similar to that currently in place at the institutions from which
information was obtained.
EC/128/14
UPDATE ON UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT RETENTION, PROGRESSION AND
SUCCESS (EC/14/41)
Received
A paper prepared by Angela Jones (Deputy Director, Student Support) and
Katie Rakow (Senior Project Officer, Student Support) providing an update on
the actions agreed following the consideration by Senate in April 2013 of the
paper on Undergraduate Student Retention, Progression and Success.
6
EC/129/14
Noted
The Committee noted the inclusion in the paper of a more detailed summary
and recommendations relating to the integration of equality and diversity
throughout policies and processes that support the University’s mission to
deliver excellence in education through appropriate pedagogical practice.
During discussion, the Committee agreed a number of amendments to the
proposed recommendations.
Resolved
That the following amended recommendations be made to Senate for
approval:
EC/130/14

That, prior to the start of each academic year, Departments should
consider action to support retention and success so that they can
continue to implement good initiatives that aid student retention and
success, and that Departments report to the relevant Deputy Dean
(Education) on the actions that they have taken.
EC/131/14

That it is important for all student-facing staff to be informed about
what is being communicated to students and when to ensure that
messages to students are consistent and timely.
EC/132/14

That equality and diversity training in the induction programme for
Heads of Department, and Heads of Section, and other senior
managers (e.g. departmental education directors and faculty
managers) should be reviewed, specifically to consider how equality
and diversity matters are considered throughout the annual planning
cycle to ensure that relevant issues are identified and addressed in a
timely manner. The resource implications of implementing this should
also be considered.
EC/133/14

That Departments should be able to view NSS and SSS data by
protected characteristics, particularly for the purpose of completing the
Annual Review of Courses.
EC/134/14

That the guidance for completing the Annual Review of Courses (ARC)
should include prompts to consider equality and diversity matters, and
should direct colleagues to Learning and Development for support and
to share good practice. Learning and Development should be made
aware of any change to the guidance.
EC/135/14

That the terms of reference of the Academic Quality and Standards
Committee, Faculty Education Committees and Partnerships
Education Committee should be amended with effect from 2014-15 in
order to clarify that each sub-committee has due regard for issues of
equality and diversity to support the Education Committee in fulfilling
its responsibilities (noting that amendments to the Committees’ terms
of reference were proposed to Senate as part of the annual submission
to Senate setting out the membership and terms of reference for all
Committees of Senate).
EC/136/14
REPORT FROM THE TASK AND FINISH GROUP ON THE REVIEW OF STUDENT
ASSESSMENT OF MODULES AND TEACHING (EC/14/42)
Received
A paper prepared by Liz Dobson-McKittrick (Academic Standards and
Partnerships Manager), which contained the report from the Task and Finish
Group on the Review of Student Assessment of Modules and Teaching
(SAMT).
7
EC/137/14
Noted
Resolved
Professor Roderick Main, who chaired the Group, stated that the focus of the
work had been on (i) the questions asked as part of SAMT, (ii) the policy and
process underpinning it, and (iii) options to enable the process to be made
more efficient through technology.
EC/138/14
The Committee welcomed the proposals for the procurement during 2014-15
and eventual establishment of a single system to manage the process, which
would ensure a much more efficient approach over the longer term. There was
also discussion about the resource implications of operating the proposed
revised SAMT policy in the period leading up to any technological system
going live.
EC/139/14
In particular, there was discussion about the value of including questions about
a student’s attendance for individual modules and the approach to be adopted
for reporting the results to students. The Committee agreed that questions
relating to attendance should be removed from the proposed sets of questions
in the report and that the reporting to students of action taken in response to
SAMT feedback should be done at the point of the next survey, on the basis of
a ‘you said, we did’ approach.
EC/140/14
That the Report from the Task and Finish Group on the Review of Student
Assessment of Modules and Teaching be recommended to Senate for
approval as set out in paper EC/14/37, subject to the amendments described
above.
EC/141/14
PARTNERSHIP PERFORMANCE MONITORING (EC/14/43)
Received
A paper prepared by Ray Lashley setting out the proposed approach to
monitoring and discussing the performance of the University’s partnerships,
both within the University and with partner institutions themselves.
Noted
The Committee noted minor amendments and endorsed the proposed
approach that:
EC/142/14

Partnership monitoring and key performance indicators should be
aligned with the University Strategic Plan and the Education Strategy.
EC/143/14

The Key Information Set should be used as the primary, consistent
data source for comparisons, with the proposed equivalent measures
to the Times Good University Guide used as KPIs.
EC/144/14

Appropriate benchmark groups for each partner and targets should be
discussed and agreed with partners.
EC/145/14

Performance of actual registrations against planned intake and total
numbers should be used to monitor the sustainability of quality
partnership activity.
EC/146/14

Partner Management Boards (or equivalent) should review the agreed
measures at their autumn meetings.
EC/147/14
REPORTS FROM EDUCATION COMMITTEE SUB-COMMITTEES
FACULTY EDUCATION COMMITTEE (HUMANITIES) (EC/14/44)
Noted
EC/148/14
8
FACULTY EDUCATION COMMITTEE (SCIENCE AND HEALTH) (EC/14/45)
Noted
EC/149/14
FACULTY EDUCATION COMMITTEE (SOCIAL SCIENCES) (EC/14/46)
Noted
EC/150/14
PARTNERSHIPS EDUCATION COMMITTEE (EC/14/47)
Noted
EC/151/14
ACADEMIC QUALITY AND STANDARDS COMMITTEE (EC/14/48)
Noted
Resolved
EC/152/14
That the recommendations contained in paper EC/14/48 be approved.
EC/153/14
STUDENT EXPERIENCE COMMITTEE (EC/14/49)
Noted
EC/154/14
UNIVERSITY CAMPUS SUFFOLK JOINT ACADEMIC COMMITTEE (EC/14/50)
Noted
Resolved
EC/155/14
That the recommendations contained in paper EC/14/50 be approved.
EC/156/14
POSTGRADUATE RESEARCH STUDENTS
ACTION PLAN TO IMPROVE POSTGRADUATE RESEARCH STUDENT
COMPLETION AND AWARD RATES: PROGRESS REPORT (EC/14/51)
Noted
EC/157/14
POSTGRADUATE RESEARCH STUDENT RETENTION AND SUCCESS (EC/14/52)
Noted
EC/158/14
PROGRESS REPORT ON THE GRADUATE SCHOOL TASK AND FINISH GROUP ON
THE FUTURE OF THE GRADUATE SCHOOL AND PROVISION OF SUPPORT FOR
RESEARCH STUDENTS (EC/14/53)
Noted
EC/159/14
REPORT ON THE SUCCESS OF PROFICIO (EC/14/54)
Noted
EC/160/14
REVISED STUDENT CHARTER (EC/14/55)
Noted
EC/161/14
9
Resolved
That the revised Student Charter be recommended to Senate, as set out in
paper EC/14/55.
EC/162/14
REVISED COMPLAINTS PROCEDURE FOR STUDENTS (EC/14/56)
Noted
Resolved
EC/163/14
That the revised Complaints Procedure for Students be recommended to
Senate for approval, as set out in paper EC/14/56.
EC/164/14
PROPOSED CHANGES TO THE RULES OF ASSESSMENT AND THE CREDIT
FRAMEWORK (EC/14/57)
Noted
Resolved
EC/165/14
That the recommendations contained in paper EC/14/57 be recommended to
Senate for approval.
EC/166/14
PROCEDURES RELATING TO STUDENT ABSENCE AND MEDICAL
CERTIFICATION (EC/14/58)
Noted
Resolved
EC/167/14
That the changes to the Procedures Relating to Student Absence and Medical
Certification be recommended to Senate for approval, as set out in paper
EC/14/58.
EC/168/14
REVISIONS TO PROGRESS AND ACADEMIC OFFENCES PROCEDURES
STUDENTS ATTENDING PROGRESS OR ACADEMIC OFFENCES COMMITTEES
WITH A REPRESENTATIVE (EC/14/59)
Noted
Resolved
EC/169/14
That the changes to the procedures relating to students attending Progress or
Academic Offences Committees with a representative be recommended to
Senate for approval, as set out in in paper EC/14/59.
EC/170/14
AMENDMENTS TO ACADEMIC OFFENCES PROCEDURES (EC/14/60)
Noted
Resolved
EC/171/14
That the changes to the Academic Offences Procedures be recommended to
Senate for approval, as set out in in paper EC/14/60.
EC/172/14
PROPOSED CHANGES TO ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
MA TRANSLATION AND LITERATURE (EC/14/61)
Noted
Resolved
EC/173/14
That the entry requirements be approved, as set out in paper EC/14/61.
10
EC/174/14
NORWEGIAN STUDENTS (EC/14/62)
Noted
Resolved
EC/175/14
That the entry requirements be approved, as set out in paper EC/14/62.
EC/176/14
CHINA HIGH SCHOOLS (EC/14/63)
Noted
Resolved
EC/177/14
That the entry requirements be approved, as set out in in paper EC/14/63.
EC/178/14
UNIVERSITY ADMISSIONS POLICY (EC/14/64)
Noted
Resolved
EC/179/14
That the changes to the University Admissions Policy be recommended to
Senate for approval, as set out in in paper EC/14/64.
EC/180/14
CONFIRMATION AND CLEARING LEVELS – 2014 ENTRY (EC/14/65)
Noted
EC/181/14
REVIEW OF THE GRADUATE TEACHING ASSISTANT PROFESSIONAL
RECOGNITION REQUIREMENT (EC/14/66)
Noted
Resolved
EC/182/14
That the changes to the Graduate Teaching Assistant Professional Recognition
Requirement be approved, as set out in in paper EC/14/66.
EC/183/14
ESSEX SPORT ACTION PLAN: 2013-14 PROGRESS REPORT AND PROPOSED
ACTION PLAN 2014-15 (EC/14/67)
Noted
Resolved
EC/184/14
That the proposed Essex Sport Action Plan for 2014-15 be approved, as set
out in in paper EC/14/67.
EC/185/14
ANY OTHER BUSINESS
Noted
On behalf of Education Committee, Professor Aletta Norval thanked Professor
Wright for her inspiration, vision and leadership as Pro-Vice-Chancellor
(Education) and as Chair of the Committee during its first year of operation
during 2013-14. Committee members echoed Professor Norval’s words.
Richard Stock, Deputy Academic Registrar
Secretary, Education Committee
Academic Section
19 June 2014
11
EC/186/14