University of Bath
F/SLTQC 13/14 - ??
FACULTY/SCHOOL LEARNING, TEACHING AND QUALITY COMMITTEE
APRIL 2014
QA48: STUDENT ENGAGEMENT
(Previously entitled: Staff Student Liaison Committees)
MAJOR REVIEW
1.
PURPOSE
1.1
The Faculty/School Learning, Teaching and Quality Committee is invited to consider
the proposed changes to QA48: Student Engagement (Previously entitled: Staff
Student Liaison Committees) following a major review of the statement during
2013/14. The new statement would come into effect from 1 August 2014.
2.
BACKGROUND
2.1
In June 2012, the Quality Assurance Agency published Chapter B5 of the HE Quality
Code: Student Engagement.
2.2
ULTQC approved the Terms of Reference and membership for a Review of Student
Representation and Engagement on 24 September 2013 (min 437 refers). This
highlighted the need to review the University’s current policies, practices and
procedures in relation to student representation and engagement to ensure they are
appropriate to meet the aims and objectives set out in the University’s Mission and
Strategy. The Terms of Reference of the Working Group were as follows:
2.3

To review the current policies, practices and procedures relating to student
representation and engagement for all students regardless of mode and level of
study at the University in order to inform the development of key performance
indicators (KPIs) to meet QAA expectations (Indicator 7).

To consider the national policy context (including the QAA UK Quality Code
Chapter B5 Student Engagement) and good practice in the wider sector1,
particularly from immediate peer HEIs and SUs to inform future developments.

Following wide consultation make recommendations to ULTQC (and other
appropriate committees) for changes to current practice and procedures,
including the current QA Code of Practice statements, to strengthen and enhance
student representation and engagement in Quality Assurance and Enhancement
of their learning, teaching and research.
The Membership of the Working included representatives of the Faculties and the
Students’ Union and was as follows:
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Including for example the QAA commissioned report: ‘Student Engagement in Learning and Teaching Quality Management: A
Study of UK Practices. Van der Velden, et al, University of Bath, September 2013
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University Role
Nominated by
Incumbents or
Nominees for 20132014
Associate Dean (Learning and Teaching),
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences
Director of Studies (UG), Faculty of
Humanities and Social Sciences
Director of Studies (PGR), Faculty of
Engineering and Design
Director of Studies (PGT), School of
Management
Director of Learning and Teaching, Faculty of
Science
Director of Learning Teaching and
Enhancement Office (LTEO)
Head of Student Learning Experience and
Quality, LTEO
Student Engagement and Quality
Enhancement Officer, LTEO
Head of Learning Partnerships
Chair of ULTQC
Dr Peter Lambert, (CHAIR)
Chair of ULTQC
Dr Cassie Wilson
Chair of ULTQC
Dr Pedro Estrela
Chair of ULTQC
Dr Stefan Hoejmose
Chair of ULTQC
Prof Chris Jennison
ex-officio
Ms Gwen van der Velden
ex-officio
Mrs Kate Norris
ex-officio
Mr Shaun McGall
ex-officio
Ms Martine Woodward
Graduate School Manager, Faculty of Science
Chair
Mr Simon Gane
Chief Executive, Students’ Union
ex-officio
Mr Ian Robinson
Representation and Research Manager,
Students’ Union
President, Students’ Union
ex-officio
Ms Charlie Slack
ex-officio
Miss Ellie Hynes
Education Officer, Students’ Union
ex-officio
Mr Peter Hachfeld
Secretary:
Mrs Sarah Ibbitson, Quality Enhancement Officer, Student Learning Experience and Quality, Learning
and Teaching Enhancement Office
2.4
At the same meeting ULTQC approved the proposed development of the University’s
Quality Assurance Code of Practice for 2013/14 on 24 September 2013 (min 448
refers). This highlighted the need for a major review of QA48 in light of changes
made to Chapter B5 and the Terms of Reference of the Working Group.
2.4
The review of QA48 has been undertaken in line with the University’s approved
Approach to Code Development.
2.5
The Working Group met a number of times agreeing a number of recommendations
which were approved by ULTQC on 25 March 2014 (min 509 refers) including the
creation of a new Student Engagement Sub-committee to monitor and enhance
student engagement in quality assurance and enhancement.
2.6
Specific electronic consultation exercise was held around the current QA48 Code of
Practice statement Staff Student Liaison committees. Key academic, administrative
and professional services staff within each Faculty, the School, the Learning
Partnerships Office, and the Students’ Union were consulted given their particular
knowledge and expertise on Staff Student Liaison Committees.
2.6
Following this consultation exercise and the discussions within the Working Group,
major changes have been made to QA48. An open consultation process is currently
being held requesting feedback on the proposed statement. The proposals are also
being considered at each F/SLTQC and staff from both Student Disability Advice and
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the Equality and Diversity Unit as well as the Students’ Union have also been given
the opportunity to provide feedback on proposed changes to the statement. Final
amendments will then be made before the statement is considered at ULTQC in July
2014.
3.
PROPOSED REVISIONS
3.1
Based on the feedback received during the consultation exercise and the
deliberations of the Working Group plus the outcome of a mapping process against
Chapter B5, a major revision of QA48 has been conducted for implementation from 1
August 2014. A draft of the amended version can be found in appendix 1 with the old
version in appendix 2 for information.
3.2
The structure and title of the new statement has been changed to better reflect the
need to engage students in quality assurance and enhancement at all levels within
the university’s governance, quality management and committee system not just
within Staff Student Liaison Committees.
3.3
Although not directly covered by the scope of this statement, QA48 does now include
reference to the University / Student Partnership Statement (U/SPS) and University’s
Education Strategy 2013/14 – 2015/16.
3.4
There is now reference to the fact that the Vice-Chancellor and the Students’ Union
through their constructive partnership ensure that the informed student voice is
engagement in the Universities strategic decision-making ensuring that students are
at the heart of the University’s approach.
3.5
There is also reference to the creation of a Student Engagement Sub-committee of
ULTQC which is responsible for the operation, future development and strategy for
student engagement including in the area of quality enhancement and assurance,
feedback and surveys to help fulfil the objectives within the Education Strategy.
3.6
Section 5.1 references Students’ Union membership of two university committees
(Academic Programmes Committee, and Programme and Partnership Approval
Committee) which are subject to Senate approval in June 2014.
3.7
The new statement includes an appendix which outlines the operational aspects of
Staff Student Liaison Committees. Significant changes to the operational aspects of
SSLCs include:

Principle and Overview: Each department must have at least one SSLC per level
of study i.e UG, PTG and PGR. Please note the feedback from the consultation
exercise on this proposed change was spilt nearly 50:50 for and against the
change.

Roles and Responsibilities: To reflect the change in management of
administrative staff within the Faculties, Directors of Administration, in
consultation with the Head of Department, are now responsible for ensuring that
a staff member of the SSLC is identified to act as the Election Contact for that
SSLC. Previously it was the Head of Department only.

Roles and Responsibilities: The staff position of ‘Liaison Officer’ has been
changed to ‘Election Contact’.
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
Roles and Responsibilities: It is now explicit that the Secretary to the SSLC has
to be a member of staff.

Roles and Responsibilities: The term ‘Student representative’ has been replaced
with ‘Academic Rep’.

Constitution: Normally a minimum (two) and maximum (four) number of
Academic Reps for each year of each programme has been introduced.

Constitution: A new quorum for SSLC of one third of the Academic Rep
membership of the Committee has been introduced (in line with standard
University committee practice).

Elections: Further clarification is highlighted that both the department AND the
Students’ Union are responsible for promoting the election process to the whole
student cohort.

Agendas and minutes: Clarification is introduced to where minutes of SSLCs
should be disseminated.

Annual Reports: The appendix clarifies the quality management role and
purpose of the Annual Report. Also Annual Reports will now normally be
submitted on the Forms provided, rather than providing a short (one page)
summary.
4.
RECOMMENDATIONS
4.1
The Faculty/School Learning, Teaching and Quality Committee is asked to consider
and provide comment on the revised version of QA48 Student Engagement.
Shaun McGall
Student Engagement and Quality Enhancement Officer
Student Learning Experience and Quality
Learning and Teaching Enhancement Office
April 2014
Documentation attached
Appendix 1:
Appendix 2:
Updated version of QA48 Student Engagement (April 2014)
Existing version of QA48 Staff Student Liaison Committees
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