the
COURT
MINUTES of the first meeting of the 2012/2013 academic year held on
Monday, 8 October, 2012, in the Edinburgh Room, Queen Anne Court,
Greenwich Campus, Park Row, Greenwich, SE10 9LS, commencing at 5.30 pm.
Present: Sir Stuart Etherington (in the Chair)
Mr A Albert
Mr J Barnes
Mr S H Davie
Mr L Devlin
Mr N Eastwell
Mr P F Hazell
Mr A L Holmes
Professor D Maguire
Professor P Maras
Ms S Patel
Mr K Haque
Ms M Hay
Professor M Snowden
Mr J Stoker
In attendance:
Professor T Barnes (Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research & Enterprise))
Mrs T A Brighton (Minutes Clerk)
Mrs L Cording (Secretary and Registrar)
Mr R Daly (Director of Finance)
Professor S Jarvis (Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic Development))
Ms S Edwards (Director of Human Resources) (for item 12/5)
Apologies for Absence:
Mr S Howlett
Mrs H Wyatt
CRT 12/1 DECLARATION OF CONFLICT OF INTERESTS
There were no declarations of conflicts of interests.
CRT 12/2 ITEMS FROM THE CHAIR
2.1 Welcome
The Chair welcomed Kazi Haque, President of the Students’ Union, to his first meeting.
CRT 12/3 MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING (CRT 12/P01)
The minutes of the meeting held on 2 July 2012 were taken as read and signed as a true record.
CRT 12 M-1 8 October 2012 page 1

CRT 12/4 MATTERS ARISING (CRT 12/P02)
4.1 KPI s: How Retention and Non-Completion are Monitored
The Court received:
(i) an explanation of how retention and non-completion are monitored within the University and by HEFCE
(ii) a copy of the new Academic Dashboard summarising the key performance indicators used by Schools to monitor their performance.
4.2 Treasury Management Policy
It was noted, in accordance with the Court’s decision, that subsequent to the last meeting, the Treasury Management Policy had been revised and approved for implementation by the Chairman of the Finance Committee.
4.3 Access Agreement 2013-2014 : Home/U Undergraduate Fees
The Court noted that the 2013-2014 Access Agreement had received formal approval from OFFA. OFFA had also now agreed in principle that for students first enrolling in 2012-13 an inflationary uplift of 3.22% could be applied to their 2013-
2014 fees. As a consequence, some adjustments had been made to the 2013-14
Home/EU undergraduate fees for students enrolled in 2012-13. The Court approved these fees as set out in the schedule attached to CRT 12/P02.
CRT 12/5 HUMAN RESOURCES DEVELOPMENTS: PRESENTATION BY DIRECTOR
OF HUMAN RESOURCES
The Court received a presentation from the Director of Human Resources providing an overview of the work of the Human Resources Office during the past year and staff related issues requiring attention in the coming session.
CRT 12/6 STUDENT SURVEY RETURNS: 2012 (CRT 12/P03)
The Court considered the results of the 2012 National Student Survey (NSS) and the University Student Survey (NSS).
The Secretary & Registrar emphasised the importance of the results not only within the University but externally where they were used in league tables and in the new
Key Information Sets on the Unistats website. Although there had been some pleasing results in the NSS, the University’s overall satisfaction ranking had slipped down to 83 rd place. However, 85% of the University’s students said that overall they were satisfied with their experience compared with 84% in 2011. Nearly 90% of students agreed that staff were good at explaining things. Satisfaction scores in
2012 were higher than or equal to those in 2011 for all sections. The area of greatest concern remained the social opportunities and the Students’ Union,
CRT 12 M-1 8 October 2012 page 2

although there had been some improvement over 2011. The results had largely been mirrored in the internal University Student Survey (which captured the range of students across the population). Teaching had scored the highest satisfaction rating in the USS.
It was clear from the survey that some improvement was needed. The University recognized the need to meet students’ expectations and Schools and Offices were drawing up action plans for tackling the issues raised. These would be monitored periodically by senior management. The Court noted that there had been some good performances but that these had been offset by some poorer performances.
Court Members hoped to see continued improvement in next year’s surveys.
CRT 12/7 ENHANCING EMPLOYMENT OUTCOMES AT THE UNIVERSITY OF
GREENWICH (CRT 12/P04)
The Court received a report on the planned programme to improve employment outcomes for students.
The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Resources & Enterprise) reported that obtaining graduate jobs was high on the list of priorities of all universities. Recent surveys indicated that employers were less interested in academic disciplines and placed greater importance on a range of workplace skills. It was recognised that students needed to engage with employment skills training at an early stage in their academic career if they were to be successful in finding graduate employment.
Consequently, the University proposed to introduce a comprehensive employability skills programme for all undergraduate students comprising:
 compulsory assessed credit-bearing employment skills in all programmes
 a University-wide network of Employment Outcomes Champions
 an “Employment Passport” administered at Faculty level recognising extracurricular activities
 provision of an employment service via a national recruitment agency incorporating mentoring, coaching and access to job vacancies
 introduction of an internship programme to gain work experience (implemented as the second phase of the project).
The Court welcomed this initiative. The introduction of tuition fees had changed the perceptions of students on what a university education should encompass and employability prospects were now high on their agenda when selecting a university.
Court Members acknowledged that the forging of strong links with industry and employers would be critical to the success of the scheme. Staff designated as
Faculty Employment Outcomes Champions would need to have established good relationships with external companies. The suggestion was made that this was an area in which the University could make better use of its alumni.
The Court noted that the University predicted that these measures would have a positive effect on employment within a few years. It looked forward to hearing more about the initiative in due course.
CRT 12 M-1 8 October 2012 page 3

CRT 12/8 MONITORING PERFORMANCE FROM 2012-13 THROUGH THE LIFE OF
THE STRATEGIC PLAN (CRT 12/P05)
The Court noted that the University had developed a set of 24 key performance indicators within the new strategic plan. Most of the KPIs could only be updated once a year and a report monitoring progress would be presented to Court annually together with the Academic Dashboard used to monitor the performance of Schools and Departments.
It was further noted that 16 new projects, led by members of the Vice-Chancellor’s
Group, were being implemented to develop the strategies and infrastructure necessary to ensure that the targets set for each Key Performance Indicator could be met. Milestones for each of these projects were being identified. A summary paper reflecting the milestones achieved in relation to a small number of projects would be presented to each meeting of Court. In this way Court would be kept up-to-date with progress with each of the projects during the course of the academic year.
CRT 12/9 STOCKWELL STREET DEVELOPMENT: PROGRESS REPORT (CRT 12/P08)
The Court received a progress report on the development of the Stockwell Street site.
The Vice-Chancellor reported that work had continued without major disruption during the Olympics. However, a dispute had developed recently between the main contractor and a sub-contractor with potential consequences for both the programme and the contractors’ costs. Officers were confident that the matter would be resolved soon. The current programme of works was able to absorb some delay and at present the buildings were still expected to be ready in good time for summer 2014.
CRT 12/10 VICE-CHANCELLOR’S REPORT (CRT P06)
The Vice-Chancellor presented his report on recent developments and highlighted the following issues:

League Tables
– In the recently published Sunday League Table, the
University had slipped from 81 st
to 93 rd position. This was disappointing but there had been some pleasing results, for example, the Law and Economics
Departments had come top nationally for teaching excellence. He expected that recent improvements would start to yield better results from 2013 onwards.

Staff Restructuring and Recruitment: As a result of the voluntary severance scheme approximately 145 staff would be leaving the University in the coming months. Following the recruitment process for new research professors, appointments equating to 7.4 professors and 2 readers were to be made.
CRT 12 M-1 8 October 2012 page 4


New Faculties : The new faculty structure would become operational on 1 st
January 2013. Recruitment of the four Pro Vice-Chancellors and Faculty
Operating Officers was under way.

Highly Trusted Status: Following an audit by the UK Border Agency in July, the University’s Highly Trusted Status had been approved for a further year.

Strategic Plan 2012-2017 : The new Strategic Plan had been formally launched at a senior staff conference on 14 th
September. The plan would be sent to Court Members in due course.
CRT 12/11 STUDENT RECRUITMENT (CRT 12/P07)
The Vice-Chancellor reported that, against the background of an estimated 57,000 fewer entrants to HE nationally this year, recruitment had been particularly challenging. Registration was due to close shortly but it was clear that the
University had significantly under-recruited against its New Entrant Control
Number (NECN) of just over 3400. In previous years the University had enjoyed a successful Clearing but this year, in keeping with the rest of the sector, Clearing had been unusually quiet. The impact of higher fees, the demographic downturn at the 18-19 year old age band and the changing AAB/ABB policy encouraging deferrals and retakes were all believed to have contributed to this circumstance.
However, the University had managed to adhere to its strategic objective of recruiting good quality students and provisionally the average tariff entry score had risen from 286 to 311 (equating to BBB in A Level terms).
Postgraduate and part-time student recruitment had declined but Partner College numbers appeared to be fairly healthy. International recruitment had fallen by around 17% influenced in some part by the changes in the UKBA visa regulations.
He further reported that this year’s under-recruitment had inevitably led to budgetary revisions. Preliminary assessments estimated a shortfall in income which would need to be mitigated by a number of measures including further cost efficiencies in Schools and Offices.
Looking ahead to 2013-2014, it was imperative that the University meet its student number targets. Recruitment was likely to continue to be challenging. A major review of recruitment and marketing activities was under way to develop new ways of working with prospective applicants and to encourage students with good qualifications to make Greenwich their first choice.
In discussion, Court Members agreed that the University should maintain higher entry tariffs. The Court recognised that the University needed to plan for future reductions in student numbers. Whilst continuing to focus on how to rise up the league tables, Members recommended that planning for a smaller student population should begin. It was noted that papers outlining a more aggressive cost reduction plan would be presented to the November Finance Committee meeting.
CRT 12 M-1 8 October 2012 page 5

CRT 12/12 APPOINTMENT OF CHAIR OF COURT (CRT 12/P09)
The Secretary & Registrar recalled that, at its last meeting, Court had agreed the general process for appointing a successor to Sir Stuart Etherington, the Chair of
Court. A more detailed procedure had now been drawn up outlining the timetable for a postal ballot in the event that more than one Member of Court wished to stand for Chair. The Court approved the timetable and noted that the results of any ballot would require ratification by Court Members at its November 2012 meeting.
It was confirmed that all Members of Court would be eligible to vote in a ballot.
CRT 12/13 MEMBERSHIP (CRT 12/P10)
The Court resolved that Stephen Howlett be re-appointed as Vice-Chair of the
Court for the period 1 September 2012 to 31 August 2013.
The Secretary & Registrar reported that a constitutional issue had arisen following the count of the ballot of teaching and research staff. A decision would be announced shortly once she had considered the matter properly. In order to ratify the membership of the winning candidate before Court next met, a postal ballot of eligible Members of Court would be held soon.
CRT 12/14 2011 EFFECTIVENESS REVIEW : CHAIRMAN’S FOLLOW-UP (CRT 12/P11)
The Chair recalled that the 2011 effectiveness review had highlighted the need for a review of individual performance. He had subsequently undertaken a programme of one-to-one discussions with Court Members during the summer and produced a summary of these discussions. He brought the following issues to the attention of
Members:
 Skills: the audit of Members’ skills had identified a gap in expertise in estates and marketing and fundraising. In addition, there was concern that there was insufficient representation from Medway/Kent. The Nominations Committee would keep this in mind when next recruiting Court Members;

HE Policy: Some Court Members had registered a wish to be better briefed on changes in higher education policy and the external environment in which universities were functioning. The Vice-Chancellor agreed to include an update on significant matters in his regular report to Court;

Strategy Days: Many Court Members had commented on the success of the
Strategy Day held earlier in the year as a way of spending time in discussions of greater depth and of promoting informal engagement and interaction between
Members. He now proposed two Strategy Days should be held during 2013-14, one in the autumn looking at a specific subject in greater depth and one in the spring examining strategy. Court Members welcomed this idea and suggested that it might be possible to combine a half-day meeting with a routine meeting of Court. A date for the 2012 Strategy Day was being sought.
CRT 12 M-1 8 October 2012 page 6


Constitution of Court: In response to comments on the lack of constitutional clarity, a note detailing the constitution of the Court as set out in the
Memorandum and Articles of Association was received.
CRT 12/15 STUDENTS’ UNION: YEARLY REPORT ON ACTIVITIES (CRT 12/P12)
The Court received a report on the work and activities of the Students’ Union for
2012-13. The Students’ Union was mid-way through its three-year plan (Project
2014) and continued to work towards its principal targets. The theme of student engagement ran through all of its work. There had been a 26% increase in student participation in clubs and societies and the Students’ Union aimed to continue this improvement in uptake. In collaboration with the University, the Students’ Union had launched two new networks for mature and disabled students and planned to extend the range of networks further in order to try to reach those groups of students who traditionally had low participation in Students’ Union activities. The
Students’ Union would be focussing more on its volunteering programme. A system of gold, silver and bronze award would form the basis of end-of-year awards and would underpin its overall RAG (Raise and Give) initiative. A fund had been established to run a range of annual competitions for students linked to employability and engagement.
The Chair thanked the President for his overview. In response to the need to improve their NSS scores, the Chair asked that the Secretary & Registrar to identify a Member of Court to work with the Students’ Union to look at ways in which improvements might be achieved. The possible effects on NSS scores of additional investment should be considered.
FORMAL AGENDA
CRT 12/16 STRATEGIC DISCUSSION ITEMS 2012-2013 (CRT 12/P13)
The Court noted the list of strategic discussions items for the 2012-13 session.
CRT 12/17 ACADEMIC COUNCIL MINUTES (CRT 12/P14)
The Court received the minutes of the Academic Council meeting held on 20 June
2012.
CRT 12/18 PUBLIC INTEREST DISCLOSURE “WHISTLEBLOWING” POLICY
(CRT 12/P15)
The Court approved the revised Public Interest Disclosure “Whistleblowing”
Policy for immediate implementation.
CRT 12 M-1 8 October 2012 page 7

CRT 12/19 UTC, ROYAL BOROUGH OF GREENWICH (CRT 12/P16)
The Court received an update on the establishment of the University Technical
College (UTC). An official name for the UTC was still being decided but was likely to be either Royal Greenwich UTC or University Technical College, Royal
Borough of Greenwich. Mike Sharp, Head of the University’s Business and
Information Technology in Engineering Department had been appointed as the
Principal-Designate. Following Open Days hosted by the University, over 200 students had expressed an interest in joining the UTC when it opened in 2013.
CRT 12/20 ELTHAM FOUNDATION SCHOOL TRUST (CRT 12/P17)
It was noted that, wef 1 st
September 2012, the School had transferred its status to an
Academy School under the aegis of the Federation of Harris Academies. The
School was now known as “Harris Academy Greenwich”. The University no longer had any representation on the Board of Governors and the Eltham
Foundation School Trust was to be wound up.
CRT 12/21 EXECUTION OF DEEDS (CRT 12/P18)
The Court noted the signing as a Deed of the following “Group B” documents:
(i) DEVELOPMENT OF STUDENT ACCOMMODATION AT
BUILDING 2, THE MOVEMENT, GREENWICH:
(a) AGREEMENT FOR LEASE: between (1) McLaren Greenwich
Limited (2) McLaren Construction Group (3) UoG and (4) Legal &
General Pensions Limited
(b) STEP-IN-DEED between (1) McLaren Greenwich Limited (2)
McLaren Construction Group (3) UoG and (4) Legal & General
Pensions Limited
The meeting ended at 7.40 pm.
T.A.Brighton
25.10.12
CRT 12 M-1 8 October 2012 page 8