ACADEMIC QUALITY AND STANDARDS COMMITTEE
Minutes of the Third meeting held in the 2013-14 academic session, held on Thursday 19th
December 2013 in Blake 028 Medway Campus
Present:
S Jarvis (Chair)
C. Harper (Officer)
W. Cealey Harrison
Z. Pettit
J. Cullinane
V. Habgood
D. Page
R Blackburn
O. Chishty
D. Glennon
S. Walker
Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Development)
QA Manager, Academic Quality Unit
Head of Academic Quality Unit
Faculty Representative, Architecture, Computing & Humanities
Faculty Representative, Business
Faculty Representative, Education and Health
Faculty Representative, Education and Health
Faculty Representative, Engineering and Science
VP Education, Students’ Union
OSA Representative (Head of Awards and Standards)
Head of Educational Development Unit
Apologies:
A. Brooks
M. de Dominici
C. Delage
A. Grant
S. Naylor
President, Students’ Union
Faculty Representative, Business
Faculty Representative, Architecture, Computing & Humanities
Faculty Representative, Engineering and Science
QA Manager, Academic Quality Unit
In attendance: D. Mutti
13/3.1
Head of Student Record Systems
Minutes of AQSC meeting of 21 November 2013
The minutes of the AQSC meeting held on 21 November 2013 were agreed as a correct record.
Actions arising from previous meetings AQSC
13/3.2
AQSC received a table of actions arising from previous meetings. Specific consideration was given to:
(a) Minute 13/2.6 - Engagement with HEA
S. Walker reported that, in conjunction with the Faculty Directors of Learning and Teaching, he was
organising a visit from the HEA institutional contact (Harriet Harper) to make presentations to individual
Faculties. This would take place in January 2014 with the intention of raising awareness of and
engagement with the HEA.
(b) Minute 13/2.9 – Consideration of Borderline Honours Classifications at PABS
Previous analysis, presented to AQSC had shown that that the Schools of Business and Science had
conferred a higher classification, on a significantly greater percentage of borderline students, than other
Schools. Both Schools gave an oral uptake. A review of student profiles and PAB records had showed
that robust arguments (including external examiner endorsement) had taken place. Sufficient time had
been allowed for discussion of individual borderline profiles, in order for academic judgement to be
applied (within the parameters of discretion permitted within the Academic Regulations for Taught
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Awards). Faculty Directors of Learning and Teaching were reminded of the need to formally respond to
the minute.
It was agreed that the wording of the academic regulations 5.34(b) be reviewed, to ensure that it did
not give rise to misinterpretation. In revisiting Academic regulations, members also requested that
further attention be given to:
-
clearer guidance being given in relation to Year 3 direct-entry students whose final (sole) stage fell
within the definition of borderline.
-
clarification of minimum and maximum periods of registration, particularly enforcement/discretion
permitted when these periods expire.
-
clearer guidance regarding discretion permitted for ‘borderline’ postgraduate students who did not
meet the mathematical norms for Merit and Distinction awards
Action: Sarah Greer/Diane Coutinho be requested to include the above as part of the ongoing review
of academic regulations.
(c) Minute 13/2.12 Approval and Review Group
The ARG Secretary reported that monthly meetings would be calendared for 2014/15 session.
(d) Minute 13/1.4 Personal Tutor Listings in Banner
AQSC had previously noted that the development of Banner reporting to support implementation of
a responsive tutorial system (allocation, monitoring and change of tutors and tutees) is critical to
longer term success of the aims of tutoring at Greenwich. Feedback from student representatives
and the survey of new arrivals had shown that a significant number of students were unclear as to
who their personal tutor was.
The Head of Student Records reported that analysis of tutor/tutee data, presently held in Banner for
this session, showed that for University main-site students, only 16% of the data for tutees assigned
to personal tutors had been input. Such data being recorded in Banner facilitated tutor access to
student personal and academic information.
Faculties reported that, in some instances, alternative electronic systems were used to record
tutor/tutee allocation. In many cases the personal tutor remained the same (‘rolled-over’) for
continuing students. New students were often informed of their personal tutor as part of the
admission process/documentation. This, notwithstanding, AQSC agreed that personal tutor/tutee
must be stored within Banner.
ACTION:
ASQC Officer to request that Faculties ensure data is transferred from local systems, with priority
being given to first year and new students
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Banner Team to further develop Business Object reporting, including an exception report (i.e. nonassigned students)
Banner team to produce a ‘user guide’ outlining the virtue of /applications available through such
storage of data in Banner and explaining the mechanics of how such storage is undertaken.
Higher Education Achievement Report – Project Update
13/3.3 The Head of Student Records had provided an exemplar HEAR. He reported that a delay in the
production of HEA reports had occurred as a result of protracted negotiation with an external company.
It had now been agreed that production would take place ‘in-house’, with the Conferment Office having
a key role in the issue and management of the process. Progress had been made in populating and
providing script for the various sections of the HEAR. The HEAR Steering Group would meet on the 21
January 2014 to specifically agree issue date for 2013 graduates.
13/3.4
13/3.5
Quality Assurance Handbook and Appendices
AQSC received the latest draft of the QAH main text and appendices. The Head of Academic Quality Unit
reported that the latest version was the result of feedback/consultation with the Faculties. In
considering the main text and appendices, a number of minor modifications/amendments were
suggested. It was agreed that these would be incorporated within a revised version, reviewed by the
Chair of AQSC and be submitted to Academic Council.
In addition, it was agreed that further discussion was needed regarding:
- the format, custodianship and publication of programme specifications
- the content requirements of a programme submission document (Appendix D6)
- the nature and extent of statistics to be provided as part of programme review (Appendix D7)
ACTION: Head of Academic Quality Unit to convene a meeting of AQU/EDU/Faculty Directors of
Learning and Teaching in January 2014 to discuss the above requirements.
13/3.6
Memorandum of Agreement: Partner College Network
The majority of Partner College MoAs were due for renewal in 2014. It was reported that Partner
Scrutiny Panel had agreed that all Partner Colleges would be reviewed in March 2014. The latest draft
MoA submitted to AQSC reflected:
(a) a greater standardisation/consistency with the MoA for International/Full cost partners
(b) that several colleges had been successful in gaining direct HE numbers from HEFCE
(c) prior consultation with/feedback obtained from University Faculties and Offices (as evidenced by
track-changes).
With no further comments being received, it was agreed that the draft Memorandum of Agreement
would be circulated internally and to Partner Colleges in January 2014.
ACTION: DVC Academic Development and Access & Partnerships Manager
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13/3.7
13/3.8
Professional and Statutory Bodies
AQSC noted the correspondence from the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC) confirming that the
BSc Hons Paramedic Science and Foundation Degree in Paramedic Science had successfully completed
the HPC Annual Monitoring process. This had been ratified by the HCPC Education and Training
Committee on 3 December 2013. Students who successfully completed these awards would continue to
be eligible to apply for registration with the HCPC.
Faculty Academic Quality and Standards Committee Minutes
AQSC received and noted the minutes of the Faculty of Architecture, Computing and Humanities,
Academic Quality and Standards Committee held on Wednesday 4 December 2013.
Date of Next Meeting
Given the Christmas break, the next meeting scheduled for 15 January 2014 was not considered viable.
It was agreed that this meeting be cancelled. The next meeting would therefore take place on:
Wednesday 12 February 2014 at 1.00 p.m., S309/310 Mary Seacole, Avery Hill Campus
The Chair closed the meeting by wishing all present a happy Christmas.
Officer: Chris Harper
Tel:
9090
Email:
c.j.harper@gre.ac.uk
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