Professor Dame Glynis Breakwell (President and Vice-Chancellor) (Chair)

Transcription

1 , Minutes of Meeting Meeting: Date and Time: Venue: Present: SENATE Wednesday 13 April 2016 at 2.15 pm Council Chamber Professor Dame Glynis Breakwell (President and Vice-Chancellor) (Chair) Prof B Morley (Deputy Vice-Chancellor & Provost) Prof C Grant (Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Internationalisation)) Prof J Knight (Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research) Prof P Lambert (Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Learning & Teaching)) Prof D Bird (Dean, Science) Prof G Hawley (Dean, Engineering and Design) Prof V Hope Hailey (Dean, School of Management) Ms K Robinson (Librarian) Dr A Salo (Chair, Academic Assembly) Prof J Davenport (Elected by Professoriate) Prof T Ibell (Elected by Professoriate) Prof C Jennison (Elected by Professoriate) Prof G McCusker (Elected by Professoriate) Prof G Price (Elected by Professoriate) Prof D Stanton Fraser (Elected by Professoriate) Prof C Wilson (Elected by Professoriate) Prof S Wonnacott (Elected by Professoriate) Dr W Aslam (Elected by Academic Assembly) Dr M Carley (Elected by Academic Assembly) Dr M De Vos (Elected by Academic Assembly) Dr J Gavin (Elected by Academic Assembly) Dr A Jeffries (Elected by Academic Assembly) Dr F Laughton (Elected by Academic Assembly) Dr A Nightingale (Elected by Academic Assembly) Dr N Parish (Elected by Academic Assembly) Dr C Todd (Elected by Academic Assembly) Dr S Wharton (Elected by Academic Assembly) Ms J Wilson-Ward (Elected by Academic Assembly) Mr J Kenny (Students Union President) Ms L Woodcock (Students Union Education Officer) Ms J Munden (Students Union Undergraduate Member) Observers: Ms A Wylie - Staff Development Manager In Attendance: Mr R Brooks (for 14121) - Director of Human Resources Mrs D Griffin (for 14121) - Human Resources Manager Dr J Harris - Director of Academic Registry Mr M Humphriss - University Secretary Mr M Pender - Administrative Officer Apologies: Apologies for absence were received from Prof A Bull, Prof I Butler, Dr M Garcia, Prof R Guy, Prof N Kinnie, Mr A Lee, Ms A Pater, Dr K Woodthorpe and Ms A Young. ACTION MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING Senate APPROVED the minutes of the meeting of Senate held on 3 February 2016 (Paper S15/16-118) as a correct record of the proceedings and they were signed by the Chair MATTERS ARISING There was none. - Page 1 of 7 -

2 14118 REPORT OF THE VICE-CHANCELLOR Senate NOTED the Vice-Chancellor s report (Paper S15/16-119) on key issues facing the University STUDENT COMPLAINTS Mr Humphriss introduced paper S15/ which proposed revisions to the Student Complaints Procedure and also presented the complaints monitoring data for 2014/15. A member of Senate expressed concern that the proposed amendment to the Student Complaints Procedure to allow it to deal with formal complaints submitted by students under the Dignity and Respect Policy represented a substantial change to staff procedures, as under stage 2 of the process the investigation would be carried out by one person (usually the Head of Department) where previously a panel of at least two individuals would be appointed to investigate the complaint. Similarly, at the appeal stage under the Student Complaints Procedure appeals are heard by the University Secretary, whereas under the Dignity and Respect Policy these were heard by a panel of two individuals. In response the University Secretary stated that if following investigation a student complaint was upheld and it was found a member of staff had a case to answer, this would then be dealt with under the staff disciplinary procedure. In respect of appeals, the University Secretary had the option to convene a panel of three individuals to consider the appeal if this was thought necessary, and the student then had the option to take their case to the Office of the Independent Adjudicator (OIA) if they remained dissatisfied at the conclusion of the University s internal complaints process. The proposed wording of paragraph 4.7 of the Student Complaints Procedure was also questioned as it implied that the student must proceed to the formal stage 2 of the process. It was agreed that this should be amended in consultation with the Students Union. Paragraph 2.4 should also refer to Stages 2 and 3. In respect of the complaints statistics presented, the Students Union President commented that there was an increased expectation amongst students regarding their experience at University, and whilst he welcomed the low number of formal complaints received in 2014/15 he placed more importance on the quality of how complaints were dealt with. He was satisfied that the OIA provided a robust process for students. Senate: 1) APPROVED the amendments to the Student Complaints Procedure with immediate effect, subject to the amendment of paragraph 4.7 and 2.4 as detailed above; Uni Sec 2) NOTED the Student Complaints statistics for 2014/15 and confirmed that the Student Complaints Procedure is appropriate and fit for purpose. - Page 2 of 7 -

3 14120 REGULATION 16 Senate considered Papers S15/ Mr Humphriss presented the report and explained the proposed minor amendment to Regulation 16.8 which defined which members of staff at partner organisations could be considered eligible for staff candidature for higher and postgraduate degrees. Senate APPROVED the proposed amendment to Regulation 16.8 with immediate effect CURRICULUM AND ASSESSMENT Senate received an oral report on curriculum and assessment from Professor Morley and Professor Lambert. It was reported that the discussions about the shape of the academic year had now focused on ensuring flexibility in the curriculum, reducing the assessment burden on students and diversifying assessment practices. To this end the University Learning Teaching and Quality Committee had agreed a number of measures to achieve this and allow for greater innovation and creative thinking in this area. Steps were also being taken to simplify the process by which changes to units of assessment are approved. During the ensuing discussion it was reported that there had recently been problems with electronic assessment due to a lack of server capacity, and concern was expressed about forthcoming electronic assessment if this was not rectified. It was also reported that a large 80 seat computer room would shortly be lost and there was therefore an issue around having the space to undertake electronic assessment. Professor Lambert undertook to investigate these issues as a matter of urgency and update Senate accordingly. PVC (L&T) After further discussion Senate NOTED the current position in respect of developments in curriculum and assessment CAREER PROGRESSION DOCUMENT Senate considered Paper S15/ Mr Richard Brooks and Mrs Deborah Griffin attended for this item. Professor Morley presented the report. Following comments received from a member of Senate Professor Morley proposed the following wording should be added after paragraph 8: Where staff have had a career break, long term absence or other extenuating circumstances which impact on their output/performance, they are encouraged to provide this information including what impact such breaks/absences have had on them undertaking their role. Professor Morley also reported that there was a lack of consistency in the definition of who should act as referees for promotions to Senior Lecturer, Reader and Professor, and it was therefore proposed that paragraphs 85, 95 and 104 be amended to ensure they were consistent with each other. Normally would also be added to these paragraphs to allow some flexibility. The numbering of the document would also be corrected. - Page 3 of 7 -

4 Senate agreed to the amendments set out above. Discussion then focussed on Appendix 6 (promotion to Reader) and Appendix 7 (promotion to Professor) and in particular the inclusion of a baseline requirement for candidates for promotion to Professor and Reader to have attracted research grants / income at a funding level appropriate to the discipline. Professor Morley stated that the inclusion of this requirement for promotion was consistent with the University Strategy to increase research power, and it was important for the leaders of the University s research (i.e. Readers and Professors) to demonstrate this area of achievement. Concern was expressed that this was a shift in how academic staff were assessed, with them being additionally judged on the amount of research income they attracted rather than solely on the quality of their research as judged by publication. Professor Knight, the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research) responded that income was an important research metric. Conversely, it was noted that for promotion to reader the bullet point on the candidate having a sustained record of attracting major research grants and contracts, with the emphasis on major, (which appeared in the options for promotion to Professor under paragraph 7.3) no longer appeared in the options for promotion to Reader, and it was proposed that this should be reinstated, which was agreed. After further discussion Professor Davenport requested that the change to the baseline requirements for promotion to Professor and Reader be put to the vote as follows: 1) That the changes to the baseline requirement for promotion to Reader be accepted as indicated in the document; 2) That the changes to the baseline requirement for promotion to Professor be accepted as indicated in the document. Proposition (1) above was put to the vote, and carried with 22 in favour, 4 against and 5 abstentions. In light of this result Professor Davenport withdrew his request for proposition (2) to be put to the vote, and this proposition was therefore also carried. Subject to the minor changes set out above Senate RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL approval of the revised career progression document with effect from 1 July DVC&P ORDINANCES 1) Amendment to Ordinance 14 Senate considered Paper S15/16 125A. Dr Harris introduced the paper and explained the proposed amendments to Ordinance 14 to reflect the fact that only non-payment of tuition fees (as opposed to other outstanding debts) may prevent a student from qualifying for a degree. An amendment was also proposed to provide additional flexibility in the consideration of aegrotat degrees. Senate AGREED TO RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL the proposed amendments to Ordinance 14 with immediate effect. - Page 4 of 7 -

5 2) Waiving of Ordinance Senate considered Paper S15/16-125B and AGREED TO RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL the waiving of Ordinance 14.2 to permit Sir Julian Horn-Smith to be an orator for an honorary graduand in 2017, subject to this being agreed by the Honorary Degrees Committee PROVISION OF TRANSCRIPTS Senate considered Paper S15/ Dr Harris presented the report. Senate APPROVED: 1) that the Exit Summary Transcript be renamed Transcript, and that the Full Transcript be renamed Record of Assessment ; 2) that from May 2016 graduating students be issued with the re-named electronically signed Transcript in hard-copy, with the Record of Assessment being available upon request after the point at which the graduate s access to the self-service facility has been removed. DoAR DoAR CALENDAR OF MEETINGS OF BOARDS OF STUDIES 2016/17 Senate considered paper S15/ Senate APPROVED the dates for Boards of Studies for 2016/ APPOINTMENTS Professor Jennison left the room for resolution 1 below. Mr Humphriss introduced the recommendations for three vacancies. Senate APPROVED the: 1) re-appointment of Professor Chris Jennison as Warden of the Blues for three years from 1 August 2016; 2) re-appointment of Professor Michael Threadgill as Marshal for three years from 1 August 2016; 3) appointment of Gavin Maggs as a trustee of Designability with immediate effect; It was also reported that Professor Weiss would be stepping down as Chair of the Ethics Committee at the end of the current academic year, and on behalf of Senate the Vice-Chancellor thanked Professor Weiss for carrying out this role with distinction over the past four years. This opportunity would now be advertised within the University community. - Page 5 of 7 -

6 14127 URGENT BUSINESS REPORT Senate noted Paper S15/ STUDENTS UNION OFFICERS 2016/17 Senate noted Paper S15/ which detailed the Students Union Officers who had been elected for 2016/ ACADEMIC STAFF APPOINTMENTS AND PERSONAL CHAIRS COUNCIL Senate NOTED paper S15/ regarding academic staff changes. Senate RECEIVED the minutes of Council meeting on 25 February 2016 (Paper S15/16-132) MINUTES OF BOARDS OF STUDIES Senate RECEIVED the minutes of the following meetings of the Boards of Studies: Faculty of Engineering & Design on 13 January 2016 and 24 February 2016 Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences on 24 February 2016 Faculty of Science on 24 February 2016 School of Management on 24 February EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Senate RECEIVED summaries from Executive Committee held in January and February 2016 (Papers 137A and 137B) MINUTES OF SENATE AND JOINT SENATE/COUNCIL COMMITTEES Senate RECEIVED minutes of the following meetings of Senate and Joint Senate/Council Committees: Council/Senate/Students Union Committee on 11 February 2016 Equality and Diversity Committee on 11 February 2016 Ethics Committee on 9 February 2016 Learning, Teaching and Quality Committee on 19 January 2016 Programmes and Partnerships Approval Committee on 20 January 2016 Research Committee on 19 January 2016 University Research Students Committee on 24 February CALENDAR OF MEETINGS 2015/16 Senate NOTED the date of the final meeting of Senate for the academic year: Wednesday, 1 June 2016 at 2.15pm ANY OTHER BUSINESS The Vice Chancellor reported the following: - Page 6 of 7 -

7 That from the June meeting of Senate it was planned to have a new electronic alternative to the LMF for accessing documents, in addition to hard copies. That Professor Jonathan Dawes s Inaugural Lecture entitled What Alan Turing Instituted would take place at 4.30pm in 3 West North 2.1. Student members then left the meeting. The meeting concluded at 3.55pm - Page 7 of 7 -