Meeting : Directors of Computing Services for Russell Group Institutions
Minutes of the 2012 Away Day Meeting and AGM
Date : 23rd and 24th February 2012
Venue : Examinations Schools
75-81 High Street
Oxford
OX1 4BG
Agenda
Welcome, introductions and apologies
Attendee
Eileen Brandreth
John Gormley
Sandy MacDonald
Tim Phillips
Lesly Huxley
Alison Clarke
Stephen Pinfield
Jean Sykes
Andy Coulthard
Sean Duffy
Rob Arnold
Kath Winter
Chris Sexton
Steve Aldridge
John Cartwright
Mike Cope
Gavin McLachlan
Mike Roberts
Mary Stott
Paul Rutter
Rhys Davies
John Shemilt
Paul Allat
Peter Hancock
Bernadette Kelly
Simon Harrison
Nick Leake
Steve Kearsey
Chris Sharples
Paul Harness
Simon Marsden
Brian Gilmore
Stuart Lee
Paul Jeffreys
Steve Williams
Institution
University of Cardiff
Queen’s University, Belfast
University of Glasgow
University of Bristol
University of Bristol
University of Nottingham
University of Nottingham
London School of Economics
London School of Economics
University of Birmingham
University of Birmingham
University of Sheffield
University of Sheffield
University of Liverpool
University of Liverpool
University College London
University College London
University of Warwick
University of Warwick
University of Leeds
University of Leeds
Imperial College London
Imperial College London
University of Southampton
University of Southampton
Kings College London
Kings College London
University of Cambridge
University of Manchester
University of Manchester
University of Edinburgh
University of Edinburgh
Oxford University
Oxford University
University of Newcastle
AGM – RUGIT members only
 Minutes and matters arising
An amendment was requested to confirm appointment of Paul Harness as Chair.

Treasurers report
The treasurer presented a summary of the financial position of the group and
presented an account statement. It was recommended, and accepted, that no
membership levy would be applied this calendar year, but that a full levy would
be applied next year.

Confirmation/election of officers
It was proposed, and accepted, that all current officers would continue in their
posts for one further year. It was noted that a number of officers would be
standing down at the next AGM and members were encouraged to consider
offering their services next year.
Chair : Paul Harness, Manchester
Secretary : Mike Roberts, Warwick
Treasurer : Steve Williams, Newcastle
Executive Officer : Alison Clarke, Nottingham
Executive Officer : Mike Cope, UCL
Executive Officer : Sean Duffy, Birmingham

AOB
None
RUGIT website – demonstration and discussion on migration to Newcastle hosting,
purpose, content, maintenance : led by Steve Williams
A demonstration of the prototype website was conducted by Steve Williams. It was well
received and the team were thanked for their work and encouraged to proceed. It was
agreed that a small group would, coordinated by SW, consider a ‘refresh’ of purpose and
constitution wording. Some minor amendments on member details and layout were
agreed.
It was also agreed that : a Twitter feed was not required at this stage; approved minutes
would be published; sub-groups should also be represented; member pages to provide
institutional links
Presentation and Discussion item
“Innovation” : led by Mike Cope and Sean Duffy, contribution from Mr. Fergus Boyd,
Virgin Atlantic
An interesting and well received presentation from Mr. Fergus Boyd who described
approaches in Virgin Atlantic to innovative applications of IT, media and customer
communication.
Presentation materials to be made available on the RUGIT website
Presentation and Discussion item
“VLE’s and beyond” : introduced by Mike Roberts (Warwick), contributions from Stuart
Lee (Oxford), John Cartwright (Liverpool) , and Sean Duffy (Birmingham)
A session presenting four different approaches/stages of VLE adoption and
development. Presentation materials to be made available on the website.
Update from JISC & Janet : Introduced by Prof. Martyn Harrow, Executive Secretary
Group discussion.
A lively discussion considering the emerging shape and direction of JISC and
consequences for Janet. Prof. Harrow emphasized the importance of creating a
sustainable organization and service and that full consideration was being given to the
requirements of the sector and the sensitivity to costs for essential (non-avoidable)
services. However, the reality is that the group is being asked to devise how to make a
bigger impact with less overall resource. The likely outcome would be some
consideration of which components of the JISC model deliver most benefit and
therefore may have resource maintained/directed. Due to overall complexity a final
funding proposal may not be completed this year – it is likely any funding changes will
apply from 2013/14 AY at the earliest.
Discussion item
“Governance and Organisation” : led by Steve Williams, contributions from John
Shemilt, Stephen Pinfield and John Cartwright
A series of presentations describing different approaches to organization and
governance of IT activities. Well received with contributions from the floor.
Presentations will be available on the RUGIT website.
Comments and feedback on event – suggestions for future events
Positive feedback on the event and location – it was agreed that external contribution
(such as the Innovation session) were of great interest and we should attempt to
encourage similar items.
Edinburgh was proposed as the venue for the next AGM/Away-day