Postgraduate Taught Staff / Student Liaison Committee Meeting – 9 February 2011
Postgraduate Taught and Undergraduate Taught Staff / Student Liaison Committee Meeting
– 9th February 2011
Present:
Dr Christopher Davies (Associate Dean, Teaching & Learning – Chair); Emma Rose
(Senior Faculty of Humanities QAE Administrator)
In Attendance: John French (Faculty Team Manager, John Rylands University Library); and
Andrew Whitmore (Assistant Director, Careers Service); Becca Rawcliffe
(Sabbatical Intern - b); Ellie Darley (Sabbatical Intern – a); Debbie Bankole (UG CS); Charlie Bush (UG - SAHC); Lettice Newton (UG – SoSS)
Apologies:
Professor Keith Brown (Vice President and Dean of Humanities), John Smith
(Service Delivery Manager, Information Systems), Lisa McAleese (Senior Taught
Programmes Administrator), Michelle Harper (Faculty Estate Officer – Humanities)
Reported:
Dr Davies stated that Professor Keith Brown has expressed his desire to attend
SSLG Meetings from now on, where possible.
1.
Minutes from previous meeting
Agreed:
The minutes of the meeting held on 24th November were agreed.
2.
Matters arising
2.1
Item 2.1: Staff/ Student interaction
Reported:
Since the last SSLG meeting on 24th November 2010, 2 tranches of money have
been made available by the President, Dame Nancy Rothwell for the development
of social spaces and teaching space within Humanities.
Reported:
Michelle Harper and Dr Chris Davies looked at the 7 schools to see if anything can
be done quickly, to improve interaction between students and staff. For all schools
except Law, it was thought that the Faculty could redevelop some areas and
refurbish others to create spaces for students to relax, use their laptops and have
the opportunity to interact with staff.

The Arthur Lewis building:
More Inspiron terminals have been installed in the common room
and a further Wi-Fi hub has been added. Additional furniture has
been ordered for the common room.
Furniture will be added on the landing areas.
The foyer areas will be developed to create more social interaction
space, add soft furnishings and modify the reception desk.

Ellen Wilkinson building:
Work will be undertaken to develop social/breakout spaces on
landings and in lobbies. Furniture has been ordered and will be
installed once issues with the heating have been resolved..

Samuel Alexander Building:
Intend to increase the space available for social interaction for AHC
and LLC.
Problems with heating are to be resolved in the existing breakout
spaces in the North and South Wings, which will delay some of the
refurbishment, but what can be done in advance of that is already
underway.
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Postgraduate Taught Staff / Student Liaison Committee Meeting – 9 February 2011
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
Installation of WIFI hubs.
Language Centre – work has been done to improve flow, in order to
improve staff/student interaction.
Refurbishment of the area outside the Leamington Theatre will be
undertaken (installation of soft furnishings, upgrade lighting, new
floor).
MBS East:
Area around the café will be developed to add more soft furnishings
and create a better social interaction space.
The second tranche of money has been targeted at teaching space in Williamson
Building (Law), Ellen Wilkinson Building (Education) and Samuel Alexander Building
(LLC).
Reported:
It has been reported that there is a problem with regards to the feeling of increased
separation between staff and students.
2.2
Item 2.2: Arthur Lewis Building
Reported:
The revolving door has been installed. Ventilation has been restored to the
resource room. The issue of rooms being available after 6pm in still pending a
report.
Action:
Michelle Harper to confirm whether approval has been given for seminar rooms in
Arthur Lewis to stay unlocked / staffed after 6pm.
2.3
Item 2.3: Williamson Building
Action:
Michelle Harper to confirm whether the issues with the temperature of Room G33
in the Williamson Building have been addressed.
2.4
Item 4.2: George Kenyon Hall
Action
John Smith to report on action from previous meeting with regard to his
investigation into whether more scanning facilities can be made available in George
Kenyon Hall.
2.5
Item 4.4: Blackboard
Reported:
Cath Dyson had been invited to attend the SSLG meetings.
Reported:
The Chair reported that – at least one pilot of Blackboard 9 is being run in every
school within Humanities. It is intended that Blackboard 9 will be accessible via
mobile devices. This will be possible with Apple applications and the eLearning
Teams are aiming to make it available via Android and Windows mobile software.
Reported:
Schools are being encouraged to move their units onto Blackboard 9 by the end of
this academic year.
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Postgraduate Taught Staff / Student Liaison Committee Meeting – 9 February 2011
2.6
Item 4.5: Emails
Reported:
It was reported, that graduates from the University, are registered as alumni for life,
and as such their student email address remains with them.
2.7
Reported:
2.8
Item 4.6: Student System
Reported that if Campus Solution is down, students shall be informed via the
Student Portal.
Item 4.7 Printing payment facilities
Reported:
The printing services are run by IT Services and not the library. These are placed in
different areas of the library, either in or near computer clusters.
2.9
Item 5.2: Eating and drinking in the Library
Discussed:
John French stated that to facilitate more water machines in the library, would
require a great deal of work and money. This is something that needs to be
researched before a definite answer can be given.
2.10
Item5.3:
Discussed:
Further to the discussion regarding laptop wires and socket outlets in the library,
John French confirmed that, as long as the cables aren’t obstructing pathways,
there is no problem with laptops being plugged in.
2.11
Item 5.5: Library Training Sessions
Reported:
With regard to reports concerning difficulty signing up to or cancelling Library
Training sessions, John French confirmed that if students log into the training
calendar and clicks on “view my bookings”, there is a section in which you can
cancel bookings. Alternatively, students can email the library to cancel any bookings
they have.
Noted:
John French also mentioned that the library was looking into SMS messaging, in
order to improve contact with students.
2.12
Item 5.6: Printing in the Library
Action:
John Smith still to report regarding problems with printing on Blue 3.
2.13
Item 5.7: Wi- fi access
Action:
John Smith still to report regarding issues with Wi-Fi access on Blue 4.
Rules and regulations
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Postgraduate Taught Staff / Student Liaison Committee Meeting – 9 February 2011
2.14
Item 5.8: Muriel Stott Centre
Reported:
The situation regarding swipe access only for PG students to the Muriel Stott Centre
remains unresolved. Dr Davies has raised the issue but has not had the opportunity
to follow it up.
Action:
Dr Davies.
2.15
Item 5.8: Cost of Photocopying
Reported:
There is an ongoing review of the cost of photocopying. Students are experiencing
difficulties as they are now printing materials from Blackboard which is more
expensive than copying. John French noted that the colour copiers in the Library
have the facility to scan materials onto a USB stick (Blue Ground Floor and Blue 3).
Others can be changed if students would prefer to do this. However, the Library is
still investigating the copyright issues with regard to digital copies of texts rather
than hard copies.
2.16
Item 6: Statements from Professor Keith Brown
Discussed:
It was discussed in the previous meeting that Professor Keith Brown would like to
organise student consultation meetings, for students to attend and express their
views.
Reported:
Focus groups have now been arranged, the next one is to be held on Monday 28th
February, between 2-4pm, room 5.206 University Place. The title of the meeting is
‘Feedback and Assessment’.
2.17
Item 8.3: Orientation
Reported:
Lisa McAleese has been in contact with Tanya Luff from international Relations
regarding orientation sessions. New activities will go up on the website, hopefully
by April 2011.
2.18
Discrepancies regarding marking
Reported:
Dr Davies chaired the Regulations working group meeting, when discussing this
matter and has handed over to the President of Teaching and Learning, who is
tackling the situation.
2.19
University Facade
Reported:
The University is taking serious steps towards reviewing its image. Discussion is
ongoing.
2.20
Guidance as peer assessment for group work
Discussed:
The issue has been acknowledged at University level. Issues across the University
are being looked into with a view to developing some guidance to be considered
initially by the University’s Teaching and Learning Management Group.
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Postgraduate Taught Staff / Student Liaison Committee Meeting – 9 February 2011
3.
Estates
3.1
Central Timetabling
Discussed:
That some students were frustrated that their seminars and lectures were spread all
over campus, rather than specifically to their school building.
Reported:
Dr Davies expressed that this was mainly due to lack of space across the University,
but that there was a review regarding central timetabling and the issue was being
looked into.
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IT
4.1
Clusters
Discussed:
Colin Sterling has set up a group, looking into AV and IT provisions and it has been
made clear that the clusters aren’t working the way they were originally designed, in
the sense that, class and cluster size don’t match.
Discussed:
That there aren’t enough wireless points around the University and that there are
problems with keeping laptops charged, due to the lack of sockets.
Reported:
These issues are being addressed by the development of the Alan Gilbert Building
(Learning Commons), due for completion in 2012.
Action:
Dr Davies to discuss with students, to see what they want from their daily IT
resources as part of the Student Consultation Meetings and as part of the
University’s review. The Students Union will approach reps with regard to
participation in the University’s consultation.
4.2
Student System
Discussed:
Students are sometimes finding it difficult to sign up to seminars through Campus
Solutions.
Action:
Emma Rose to raise issue with the Student Systems Office.
4.3
Blackboard Switchover
Discussed:
The way you access Blackboard 9 differs to that of Blackboard 8. There are
concerns that some students may have difficulty accessing the programme in the
future and that they may need briefing before hand.
Discussed:
Students suggested that information be put into Blackboard 8 redirecting them to
Blackboard 9, once materials have been moved over.
Action:
Cath Dyson to follow up.
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Careers
5.1
For all upcoming events / fairs, students were asked to follow the following
link http://www.careers.manchester.ac.uk/students/
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Postgraduate Taught Staff / Student Liaison Committee Meeting – 9 February 2011
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Library
6.1
Digital Issues:
Discussed:
John French has asked all students that if there is any material that they believe
would be useful to have digitally within the library, to let either their lecturer know or
discuss trough the staff portal. The Library is keen to expand the digitisation of
texts in order to address concerns over access to books. There are issues of
copyright that are under ongoing review.
Discussed:
Schools have been alerted to switch to the electronic versions, (or equivalent) of
books on their reading list. However, some publishers have limited downloading in
some areas.
Reported:
Dr Davies has been discussing digitised texts with schools. At the same time he
has expressed the importance of lecturers making it clear to students, which books
on the reading list they are required to read, and to make explicit when students
need only read one of a number of suggested books.
Discussed:
Drama students are finding it difficult to access the Lenigan Library at certain
times of the day due to its opening hours. Emma Rose asked about the digitisation
of the films that students are required to watch and the issues with regard to them
being downloaded through Blackboard.
Action:
John French to look into this.
Secretary’s note: students and staff in AHC have written to the Library to request a change in the
opening hours for the Lenigan Library.
Discussed:
There is concern that Blackboard may be unable to cope with large videos and that
some films are not readily available in the video library for students to access.
Action:
Dr Davies to look into the matter and discuss with Central IT.
Discussed:
It was reported that MBS are considering a move to digital study packs, where this
is appropriate and possible. There were discussions about whether the university
should issue devices to students to allow them to access electronic materials (e.g.
laptops, ipads, itouch, etc), although there were concerns that technology moved
too rapidly for this to be effective. This will be considered again by the University
as part of the AV and IT Working Group.
7.
Overreaching issues
7.1
Academic Advisors
Discussed:
Students have concerns that their academic advisors are not assigned from their
discipline and so are not considered to be effective. , It was reported that a joint
honour student has an Adviser from neither of her disciplines.
Reported:
It was reported that some students feel that they don’t have anyone to talk to. It was
felt that students required more academic help rather than personal help from their
advisors. Students also feel that contact with their academic advisor ends too
quickly when it comes to a point where they don’t have to help the student anymore.
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Postgraduate Taught Staff / Student Liaison Committee Meeting – 9 February 2011
Reported:
Dr Davies stated that it has now been made compulsory for all advisors to set a
meeting with their advisees at least once a semester but more often if possible.
Reported:
Dr Davies is involved in a review of the Academic Adviser system being undertaken
by the University. One of the concerns is the implementation of this requirement in
disciplines with a high student/staff ration
7.2
Joint honours Programmes
Discussed:
A student studying a joint honours programme expressed concern, with regards to
clashes between subjects for coursework deadlines. A number of assessments
were due to be handed in at the same time, which increased their work loads and
sometime had a detrimental effect on their marks.
Discussed:
The same was said for some single honour students and there was a feeling with all
parties concerned, that schools should communicate with each other to avoid these
problems.
Action:
Emma Rose to raise this issue with the Joint Honours Administrators Network and
reiterate the message to all Schools.
7.3
Contact hours
Discussed:
Some students still felt that they were not experiencing enough contact hours for
their degree subject a week. One student reported a rise in contact hours for one
discipline and queried whether it would be the same for her other.
Reported:
Emma Rose reported that AHC (the School in question) did intend to raise contact
hours for all students.
Action:
Emma Rose to seek clarification from the School.
Secretary’s note: Emma Rose has received a response from James Garratt, the UG Director in
AHC, concerning this matter, who states that; “smaller subject areas within the school have
increased to 3 hours [per 20credit unit, per week] already, although some have done so only at
levels 2 and 3. My expectation is that all subject areas will have 3 contact hours per week from
2011-12, and I’ll address the issue at the next school undergraduate committee.”
8.
Any other business
8.1
Student Consultation Meeting
Discussed:
Dr Davies expressed how important the Student Consultation group meetings are,
as they will affect the things we do. For example the Feedback Policy derived from
such consultations.
Reported:
The next one, ‘Feedback Policy’, is to be held on Monday 28th February, 2-4pm,
room 5.206 University Place.
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Postgraduate Taught Staff / Student Liaison Committee Meeting – 9 February 2011
Action
(Outstanding from the meeting held on 24th November 2010) - To Check if the
seminar rooms in the Arthur Lewis Building could remain unlocked / staffed after
6pm in order to provide ‘silent study’ areas.
(Outstanding from the meeting held on 24th November 2010) - To confirm whether
the issues with the temperature of Room G33 in the Williamson Building have
been addressed.
(Outstanding from the meeting held on 24th November 2010) - Get confirmation
form Alumni Association and students services Centre regarding
the status of email accounts for those students, that have left the University.
(Outstanding from the meeting held on 24th November 2010) - Follow up on the
use by undergraduate students of the Muriel Stott Centre.
(Outstanding from the meeting held on 24th November 2010) - Report concerns
about students not pulling their weight when undertaking group
work and lack of University guidance to the V-P (T&L).
Discuss with both estates and students, to see what they expect from their daily
IT resources.
To discuss reading lists with schools and the transfer to E-books.
To take the matter of book charges in the library to Teaching and Learning group.
To follow up issues with academic advisors, by reviewing staff / student ratios and
student feedback.
(Outstanding from the meeting held on 24th November 2010) - To report back to
the library the dissatisfaction of students concerning the cost of Photocopying in
the library.
(Outstanding from the meeting held on 24th November 2010) - Report back to the
library that students would like more water facilities in the Library.
To resolve the problem with access to the Lenigan Library for students.
(Outstanding from the meeting held on 24th November 2010) - Investigating why
students are unable to select the printer located on Blue 3 JRUL.
Outstanding from the meeting held on 24th November 2010 - Investigate the
intermittence of the wi-fi access across the university.
(Outstanding from the meeting held on 24th November 2010) - Investigate whether
more scanning facilities can be made available in the George Keyon Hall
Software issue with programmes such as Campus Solutions, raise issue with the
Student Systems Office.
Blackboard switchover and the possibility of further instructions for students.
To discuss clashes within single / joint honours with network.
To clarify contact hours for students.
Who
Michelle
Harper
Michelle
Harper
Chris Davies
Chris Davies
Chris Davies
Chris Davies
Chris Davies
Chris Davies
Chris Davies
John French
John French
John French
John Smith
John Smith
John Smith
Lisa
McAleese
Cath Dyson
Emma Rose
Emma Rose
NB: Actions highlighted in red are ongoing from the previous meeting.
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