ACADEMIC COUNCIL
Minutes of the fourth meeting of Academic Council in the 2013-2014 academic
session, held on 12 March at 2pm in room 075, Queen Anne, Greenwich Campus.
Present:
David Maguire, Vice Chancellor
(Chair)
Christopher Hallas, Director of Student Affairs
(Secretary)
Tom Barnes, DVC (Research &
Enterprise)
Alex Brooks, President, SUUG
Linda Burke, PVC, FEH
Judith Burnett, PVC, FACH
Paul Butler, Director, ILS
Wendy Cealey Harrison, Head of
AQU
Owais Chishty, SUUG
Sandra Clarke, FACH, Teaching
& Research
Karen Cleaver, FEH
Jo Cullinane, FBU
Sarah Greer, DPVC
Henry Hill, Deputy Director, OSA
Cos Ierotheou, FACH, Teaching & Research
Simon Jarvis, DVC, (Academic Development)
Simeon Keates, Head, Engineering
Mary Clare Martin, FEH, Teaching &
Research
Pam Maras, Chair of UREC
Kyle Marchelleck, SUUG
Chris Philpott, DPVC
Neil Spiller, DPVC
Andrew Westby, Director, NRI
Tony Whitehead, SUUG
In
attendance
Norma Powell (note taker)
Apologies:
Liz Bacon, DPVC
Noel-Ann Bradshaw, CMS,
Teaching & Research
Alex Coutroubis, FES, Teaching
& Research
Iain Cumming, Head, MSoP
Ed Galea, FACH, Professoriate
AC/13.40
Andrew Hall, MSoP
David Isaac, FACH, Professoriate
Nevin Mehmet, FHE, Teaching & Research
Wim Melis, FES, Early Career
Jon Sibson, PVC, FBU
Martin Snowden, PVC, FES
MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING HELD ON 22 JANUARY 2014
The summary minutes of COUNCIL held on 22 January 2014 were agreed as an
accurate record, subject to minor adjustments to the titles of some members listed
as in attendance.
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AC/13.41
MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES
Minute AC/12.55 – Postgraduate Research Degrees:
The review of the Academic Regulations for Research Awards is ongoing and will
be completed as part of the plan for Review of Regulations.
Minute AC/13.26 – Membership of Academic Council:
Action completed.
Minute AC/13.27 – Academic Quality – Update on Preparation for Institutional
Review:
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Initial discussions with regard to arrangements for preparing and presenting
the Students’ Union evaluation document have taken place.
A draft communications plan is currently being considered by the Deputy Vice
Chancellor (Academic Development). (see main agenda item 5)
Minute AC/13.29 – Regulations – Plan for Review:
A report will be presented to COUNCIL at the meeting scheduled for 30 April
2014.
Minute AC/13.31 – National Student Survey – Report from the Student
Experience Committee:
SEC has considered feedback from Faculties and Offices, which identified that no
obvious causal factors could be observed. The position will continue to be
reviewed with respect to future NSS outcomes.
Minute AC/13.34 – Any other business – Quality Assurance Handbook:
Action completed.
Minute AC/13.38 – Academic Council Handbook:
The Director of Student Affairs informed COUNCIL that, since the handbook had
been received as a formal item at a previous meeting of COUNCIL, it had been
deemed appropriate to make a minor amendment to the Faculty Board Terms of
Reference.
COUNCIL approved the amendment.
.
AC/13.42
REPORT FROM THE VICE CHANCELLOR
The Vice Chancellor offered congratulations to those members of the Students’
Union who were successful in the recent elections for SUUG officers for 20142015.
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The inauguration of the new Chancellor of the university, The Right Honourable,
the Baroness Scotland of Asthal PC, QC, will take place during the evening of
12th March, in the Old Royal Naval College Chapel.
Twenty new academic appointments have been advertised for which a large
number of applications have been received. Interviews for the new Chief
Operating Officer will take place on 11 April and the recruitment process for a new
University Secretary is underway.
The Vice Chancellor reported that applications for admission to the university
showed an increase of 10% on the previous year. This compares with an average
sector-wide increase of 4.5% The Vice Chancellor congratulated all those
involved in this area of activity and noted that it would be an important task to
ensure that the applications translate into offers, acceptances and finally student
registrations.
A review of the communications and marketing functions undertaken across the
university has been commissioned by the Vice Chancellor and will be led by the
PVC (FBUS). The Vice Chancellor stressed the importance of this function to the
success of the university.
The university is currently awaiting receipt of the grant letter from HEFCE which
will confirm the amount of funding available for the 2013-2014 session, outline the
funding for 2014-2015 and identify indicative funding for the year 2015-2016. The
Vice Chancellor advised COUNCIL that the university is currently showing a
healthy financial surplus and is therefore in a strong position with regard to its
financial situation. However, there will be substantial capital expenditure over the
next 3 - 5 years, requiring careful management.
The Vice Chancellor congratulated Professor Ed Galea and his team on being
awarded the Guardian University award for Research Impact for their work on
‘Active Dynamic Signage Systems’.
AC/13.43
ACADEMIC STRUCTURE AND ORGANISATION
PROPOSALS FOR ACADEMIC STRUCTURE AND ORGANISATION
In June 2012 COUNCIL endorsed proposals to introduce a new academic structure
to achieve delivery of the university’s Strategic Plan 2012-2017. The structure
comprised four Faculties and was subsequently approved by Court. The Vice
Chancellor reported that the key structures were now fully operational with the
three tier structure of Faculty, School, Departments being replaced by a two tier
structure – Faculty and Departments. COUNCIL was asked to endorse the
proposed academic and organisational structure, for submission to Court for
approval.
COUNCIL endorsed the proposed academic and organisational structure for
submission to Court for approval at its next meeting.
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FACULTY OF ARCHITECTURE, COMPUTING AND HUMANITIES
The Pro Vice Chancellor (FACH) presented proposals for the restructuring of the
Faculty of Architecture, Computing and Humanities. A full consultation process on
the proposed changes had taken place between 5 November 2013 and 5
December 2013 and included 1-2-1 meetings, discussions with functional groups
and the Unions and departmental and Faculty meetings. The changes proposed
are intended to improve the resourcing, organisational efficiency and departmental
constitution of the Faculty.
COUNCIL endorsed the new structure.
AC/13.44
ACADEMIC QUALITY
UPDATE AND TIMETABLE ON PREPARATION FOR INSTITUTIONAL REVIEW
The Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Development) updated COUNCIL on the
preparation for Institutional Review. He explained that there will be three phases
to the preparation:
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Institutional awareness and initial work on the institutional Self Evaluation
Document (SED) and Student Submission (SS)
Institutional preparation and finalising of the SED and SS
Implementation of Higher Education Review (HER) arrangements.
The first round of ‘mapping’ against the Quality Code has now been completed
and areas needing work and further improvement have been highlighted. Checks
will now be carried out at Faculty level and tests for accuracy in terms of local
practice will be made. One of the main concerns remains possible existing
inconsistencies with regard to practices within faculties and departments.
Consultation will now take place with internal and external advisers on the results
of the mapping exercise. A communication strategy will be launched and a regular
newsletter distributed. The aim is to involve as many staff as possible in the
review process. Drafts of the SED will be made available to COUNCIL.
The Pro Vice Chancellor (FEH) said that the proposal for consultation at both
centralised and Faculty level to ensure consistency was positive. She asked that
programme leaders be included in the discussions. There are plans for the
Academic Quality Unit to meet with the Educational Development Unit (EDU) and
Heads of Departments to clarify what is expected within the new structure with
regard to programme review, as well as with programme leaders to look at, for
example, job descriptions, roles, titles etc.
The Vice Chancellor thanked the AQU for the comprehensive plan they had put
forward and emphasised that the review is a critical activity for the university and
the achievement of a satisfactory outcome is a top priority.
COUNCIL endorsed the proposed timetable for preparation for Institutional
Review.
AC 13\M-4\MARCH 2014
SCHOOL MONITORING AND REVIEW DOCUMENTS, 2012-2013 (SMRDS) –
PROCESSES AND OUTCOMES TO DATE
The Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Development) gave an oral report on the
School Monitoring and Review documents (SMRDs). A paper will be presented to
COUNCIL at the next meeting. The SMRD consists of three reporting areas
(Quality and Standards, Research and Enterprise and Collaborative Provision)
and will concentrate on key themes. The reports are currently presented on a
School basis. The director of Learning and Teaching (FEH) will lead a review on
how these will be produced in the future under the Faculty structure.
Themes raised and actions taken last year included:
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2:1s and Firsts - the university achieved the desired increase in the number of
candidates gaining good degrees. However, examiners noted that the full
range of marks available ought to be utilised i.e. marks in the 80s and 90s.
Personal Tutoring – a new procedure has been implemented and rolled out
this year.
UCAS tariff – the increase in UCAS tariff points of applicants had been
maintained and slightly increased.
The number of students passing at the first attempt – improvements in
progression had been achieved
Research Excellence Framework (REF) – the university’s submission has
been made
Employability initiatives – the employment outcomes of students still need to
be improved
Timetabling – The Faculty Operating Officer (FBUS) is chairing a group
looking at timetabling. Some progress has been made.
Extenuating Circumstances – a proposal previously made to COUNCIL in
June 2013 to simplify processes pending full establishment of Faculty
structures and introduction of electronic workflows was not endorsed. The
results of a further review are still outstanding. Action around review of the
Academic Regulations is ongoing.
A recommendation to provide mid-term reviews of SMRD action plans was
proposed. It was suggested that this could cause too much duplication of
reporting, especially where regulatory body inspections and reports were also
required by, for example, OFSTED, the National Midwifery Council and the British
Psychological Society.
AC/13.45
ACADEMIC CALENDAR – TERM DATES 2015-2016
The Deputy Director of Student Affairs, Student Administration, presented
proposed term dates for 2015-2016 to COUNCIL for approval. The proposed
dates reflect a request by the Executive Committee for a later start date in
January of each year. The proposed dates also make provision for a later start in
September and a two week break in the teaching block in recognition of the early
dates for Easter during 2015-2016. The later start dates will be built into the dates
for future academic years 2016-17, 2017-18 and 2018-19.
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The Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Development) stressed that there should
be no loss of momentum for the three teaching weeks after the Easter break in
2015-2016.
It was agreed that there would in future be student representation on the group
preparing the calendar.
COUNCIL approved the proposed term dates for 2015-16.
AC/13.46
STOCKWELL STREET – ACADEMIC DEVELOPMENTS
The Pro Vice Chancellor (FACH) and the Deputy Pro Vice Chancellor (FACH)
gave a presentation to COUNCIL on academic developments for the new
Stockwell Street building.
The end of July 2014 will see the ‘practical completion’ of the building and it is
expected that it will open on 14 September 2014 in time for the new intake of
students in 2014-2015. As well as being a home for the teaching of academic
programmes, an intended function of the building is to create a sense of ‘place’
and also contribute to the reputation of the university. The ground floor will be a
public space in which to hold external events.
The Vice Chancellor thanked both members of COUNCIL for the presentation.
AC/13.47
ENHANCING EMPLOYMENT OUTCOMES AT THE UNIVERSITY OF
GREENWICH – FRAMEWORK IMPLEMENTATION UPDATE
COUNCIL received an update on the framework for enhancing employment
outcomes at the university from the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research and
Enterprise). He outlined several initiatives which have been introduced this year in
order to improve the university’s league table position with regard to employment
outcomes, as specified in the Strategic Plan.
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The SHIFT conference on employment outcomes raised awareness of these
issues and looked at ways of overcoming them, based on practice elsewhere
in the sector.
A minimum of 15 credits worth of employability components to be included in
all undergraduate programmes, via the Greenwich Employment Matrix (GEM).
The REED employment service is currently on campus offering coaching to
students to help them into employment and in identifying jobs and internship
opportunities. The contract with REED allows for engagement with up to 2000
students per year. There are currently just under 1000 students registered and
the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research and Enterprise) asked that staff
encourage students to register. REED have also set up a University of
Greenwich LinkedIn group which disseminates job and internship
opportunities as well as information on training workshops, tips and advice.
The Passport to Employment devised by the Faculty of Business is up and
running and due to be rolled out across campuses – the Faculty of
Engineering and Science will be the next to take this up. Staff in the Faculty
AC 13\M-4\MARCH 2014
are working on using the pebble platform to produce an electronic version of
the passport which, it is hoped, will be in place next year.
Other initiatives include:
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An employment fair, jointly run by GET and REED, which was recently held on
the Medway Campus.
A graduate recruitment event to be held in May, where it is expected that 100
employers will attend. The Deputy Vice Chancellors (Academic Development)
and (Research and Enterprise) will meet together with the Head of the
Educational Development Unit to consider proposals for enhanced
employment training.
The Students’ Union has developed a toolkit which will allow students to
register for extra curricula activities and thus enhance their employability.
The Vice Chancellor expressed support for the developments and emphasised
that obtaining improvement in the employment outcomes of graduates is a top
priority for the university.
AC/13.48
SUMMARY REPORTS FROM ACADEMIC COUNCIL COMMITTEES
COUNCIL received reports from the Academic Quality and Standards Committee,
Research and Enterprise Committee, Student Experience Committee, and from
the Faculty Boards of Architecture, Computing & Humanities, Education & Health
and Engineering & Science, summarising the current status of their work.
Research and Enterprise Committee
COUNCIL was asked to ratify the recommendation of the committee with regard
to postgraduate research degree awards (see item 10 of the main agenda).
COUNCIL considered and noted the summary report.
Academic Quality and Standards Committee
Student Experience Committee
Faculty Board of Architecture, Computing & Humanities
Faculty Board of Education & Health
Faculty Board of Engineering & Science
COUNCIL considered and noted the summary reports from the above
mentioned committees and Faculty Boards.
AC/13.49
CONFIRMATION OF RECOMMENDATION FROM EXAMINERS FOR
RESEARCH DEGREE AWARDS
COUNCIL received a report from the University Research and Enterprise
Committee confirming the recommendations of examiners following the Faculty
Research Degrees Committee meeting on 17th January 2014
COUNCIL ratified the award recommended by the examiners.
AC 13\M-4\MARCH 2014
AC/13.50
ACADEMIC AWARDS – A PROPOSAL TO INCLUDE THE AWARD OF MArch IN
THE SCHEDULE OF AWARDS OFFERED BY THE UNIVERSITY
The DPVC (FACH) presented a proposal to COUNCIL to include the Masters of
Architecture (MArch) in the schedule of awards which may be made by the
university. It is proposed that the title of the Diploma in Architecture will be
replaced by the MArch Architecture Part 2 and will be a change of title only. The
university has received confirmation that the change would be approved by
ARB/RIBA provided that no major programme changes are involved.
It is proposed that the new award will be in place for students graduating this
year. Work would need to be undertaken by the AQU to review and update the
schedule of awards presented in the Academic Regulations.
COUNCIL approved in principle the proposal to establish the award of MArch.
AC/13.51
ANY OTHER BUSINESS
There was no other business.
FORMAL AGENDA
AC/13.52
REPORT ON ACTION TAKEN BY THE CHAIR ON BEHALF OF ACADEMIC
COUNCIL
COUNCIL noted action taken by the Chair to approve items of business on behalf
of COUNCIL, as agreed at the meeting held on 22 January 2014.
COUNCIL noted the action taken by the Chair.
AC/13.53
MINUTES OF MEETINGS OF ACADEMIC COUNCIL COMMITTEES
Minutes of the following meetings were received by COUNCIL:
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Academic Quality & Standards Committee, 19 December 2013 (confirmed)
Research & Enterprise Committee, 12 February 2014 (unconfirmed)
Student Experience Committee, 31 January 2014 (unconfirmed)
Faculty Board – Architecture, Computing & Humanities, 21 January 2014
(unconfirmed)
Faculty Board – Education & Health, 22 January 2014 (unconfirmed)
Faculty Board – Engineering & Science, 4 December 2013 (unconfirmed)
COUNCIL noted the flow of minutes.
AC/13.56
NEXT MEETING OF ACADEMIC COUNCIL TO TAKE PLACE ON 30 APRIL
2014, AT 3.00pm, QUEEN ANNE 075, GREENWICH CAMPUS
COUNCIL noted the date, time and venue for the next meeting.
AC 13\M-4\MARCH 2014