the
ACADEMIC COUNCIL
SUMMARY MINUTES FROM THE FOURTH MEETING OF 2009 OF ACADEMIC COUNCIL, HELD ON WEDNESDAY 3RD JUNE AT 3.00PM IN ROOM 075 QUEEN ANNE COURT, MARITIME GREENWICH CAMPUS
Present: / Tessa Blackstone (Chair) / Christine Rose (Secretary)Benson Adeeso / Altaf Ismail
Alev Adil / Keith Jones
Patrick Ainley / Mary Clare Martin
Liz Bacon / Simon McArdle
Richard Blackburn / Liz Meerabeau
Maureen Castens / Tricia Meers
Linda Cording / Margaret Noble
Alex Coutroubis, / Lucie Pollard
Ndy Ekere / Martin Snowden
Mary Farrell / Mohammed Tarawneh
Joanne Finkelstein / Mbeke Wasame
Richard Hayward / Niels Wergin
David Isaac
In Attendance: / Wendy Cealey Harrison / Eleanor Kehoe
Christine Couper / Robert Meyer
Annette Devine / Sarah Palmer
Isabel Gill / Suzanna Stein
Apologies: / Peter Burt / Anneyce Knight
Tom Barnes / Nigel Newbutt
Iain Cumming / Tim Paget
Peter Dalton / Guy Poulter
Sue Golding / Alan Reed
Les Johnson / David Wills
09.4.1 / MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING OF ACADEMIC COUNCIL
HELD ON 24 APRIL 2009
(a)The Summary Minutes of COUNCIL held on 24th April 2009 were agreedas an accurate record.
MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES:
The Pro-Vice Chancellor Learning and Quality confirmed items 9.3.2 and 9.3.9had not been discussed as neither she nor the Head of Learning and Quality Unit were present at the meeting.
09.4.2 / QAA INSTITUTIONAL AUDIT UPDATE: 2009:
The Head of the Learning and Quality Unit reported that the University had received the draft report from the Quality Assurance Agency. Matters of factual accuracy and related interpretations drawn from these are being reviewed and discussed with the QAA. If the original schedule is maintained the University may expect the final report in August, which will be received by COUNCIL at the first meeting of the new academic session.
09.4.3 /
APPLICATIONS DATA: 2009
The Head of Planning and Statistics provided COUNCIL with an update on applicant statistics as at 14th May 2009 compared with 15th May 2008.COUNCIL noted that overall the number of applications so far is higher than last session. The University has received 20,457 applications through UCAS for full-time programmes, an increase of 9.6% on the same day of last year.
PartnerCollege applications are up but acceptance rates appear to be down with no indication yet of any reason for this. PAS are investigating this with PartnerCollege colleagues.
The total number of applications to full-time programmes from overseas students shows an increase of 11%. However, acceptance and conversion rates are lower than in 2008.
The national positionshows applications up by 9% generally and up for black males by nearly 25%, which may reflect the impact of the current economic climate. It is expected that a smaller number of institutions will enter clearing this year and Greenwich will need to be prepared for greater competition.
UCAS will allow students who gain better grades than anticipated to switch institution post results but the numbers doing this are likely to be small with limited impact on Greenwich.
The Head of PAS reminded COUNCIL that a UCAS application digest is available on the web and that the next update is due in June.
COUNCIL discussed the likely impact on recruitment of the new UK Borders Agency regulations. The University Secretary and Registrar stressed the UKBA had not clarified requirements with HEI’s concerning student monitoring.However Schools needed to ensure their processes were in place. The Director of Student Affairs announced intentions to provide central system support with regard to student withdrawal at several points throughout the year.
COUNCIL noted the report.
09.4.4 / DESTINATION OF LEAVERS FROM HIGHER EDUCATION (DLHE): 2007/2008:
The Head of Guidance and Employability introduced a report providing COUNCIL with data on the destinations of leavers from the University for the academic year 2007-2008.
Key facts from the report were highlighted:
-Despite the current market, graduate level employment overall has increased by 2.3% to 68.4%. Other HEI’s are reporting a decrease at this time.
-Full time employment levels are slightly down - 70.5% as compared with 73.1% last year
-Part-time graduate employment levels have risen by 3.9% and unemployment rates have decreased from 5.8% to 3.1%
-Further study levels are slightly up although further work in raising awareness can be done in this area.
-Unemployment levels are reported as slightly up but in the context of the current economic climate this is better than might have been expected.
-Ethnic and gender imbalances persist with marked differences between white and BME unemployment levels and unemployment levels of female and male graduates. Ethnicity analysis for full-time graduates shows, for the first time this year, that Asian graduates have the highest unemployment rates at 15.5%.
-Degree classification analysis reveals graduates leaving with a 2:1 have the highest employment rate at 71.6%
COUNCIL endorsed the recommendations in the paper. To:
- Support the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the University‘s Employability Strategy.
- Continue to increase links with employers, professional bodies and other relevant organisations and promote effective sharing of employer contacts and customer relationship management to optimise opportunities for students and graduates.
- Build on government-led initiatives such as Economic Challenge funding to support and develop a range of graduate internship and placement schemes.
- Develop effective communication systems so that Schools’ staff with an employability remit can work closely with OSA during the period of the DLHE survey.
- Continue to promote postgraduate Further Study and Knowledge Transfer opportunities.
- Promote and support a focus on work related learning to include project work, part-time work, mentoring, volunteering, enterprise activities, Student Union and course representation (for example the HEAR project).
COUNCIL noted that graduate employment was likely to be adversely affected by the current economic climate as employers were employing fewer graduates. COUNCIL recommendedthat Schools should report to Council at its next meeting giving details of Employability activity and sharing success and difficulties encountered.
Council noted the 0% unemployment rate in School of Pharmacy.
09.4.5 / ARPD OUTCOMES: 2007/2008:
- LEARNING AND QUALITY UNIT:
- QUALITY AND STANDARDS (MAINSTREAM PROVISION)
- QUALITY AND STANDARDS (COLLABORATIVE PROVISION)
- PORTFOLIO PLANNING
It was reported that ways in which ARPD sections are completed by individual Schools and Offices makes comparison particularly difficult. ARPDs vary greatly in the degree to which they are reflective, strategic or used as a reporting tool. The use of data is variable. The report suggestedthat consideration should be given to the overall purpose of the ARPD. It was suggested that appropriate data should be completed centrally to ensure consistent comment.
COUNCIL discussed the different approaches to the ARPD and considered pre-populating the form with consistent data on which to comment. COUNCIL further considered whether implementing two levels of reporting with a more concise version prepared for consideration at the Vice Chancellor’s Group would be an advantage.
Important issues raised in relation to Mainstream Provision included ways of improving the transition for students progressing to the University from Foundation Degrees, the need for more detail on learning resources, that consideration be given to developing an enhancement strategy, to enhance student engagement in learning and student representation, and that the complex pedagogical issues raised by the teaching of international students should be discussed. Other recommendations included the need for further development of the personal tutor system and the need to strengthen the relationship with external examiners.
COUNCIL considered the need for and value of an Enhancement Strategy as distinct from existing student-related strategies. It was felt this would fit well with the QAA agenda. An EnhancementStrategy looking at both continuous improvement good practice and educational development could also be a helpful approach to capturing a sense of what is being achieved in Schools and Offices and anopportunity to celebrate successes.
In relation to Collaborative Provision, key recommendations included discussion of whether the University should pursue a policy of continuing expansion in collaboration or whether a period of consolidation is appropriate; of the need to provide a cost-benefit analysis of all forms of collaboration; that success rates across the collaborative provision at Partner Colleges be scrutinised to establish trends and comparability and that ways be found to ensure that there are not problems posed by departures from the planning cycle in order to strengthen customer service for students.
COUNCIL recommendedthat the Learning and Quality Unit to take forward all recommendations in the Mainstream and Collaborative reports relating to Quality and Standards.COUNCIL further recommendedthat Heads of School collectively consider the best way to present a succinct version of the ARPD for consideration at VCG. COUNCIL also agreed that the current devolved system and the level of decentralisation and prioritisation of local-level initiatives is considered as a major item on next Learning and Quality Committee meeting agenda.
- PORTFOLIO PLANNING
Discussion ranged over problems in multiple-class teaching required of large recruiting courses and pressures on space generally. COUNCIL also discussed security issues relating to late teaching and the timings of the inter-site bus back to Londonfrom Medway
The Chair recommended better use of space with Schools giving serious consideration to more teaching between 5.00-7.00pm. The more classes and other activity on campus after 5.00pm the better the campus will feel. The library late-opening pilot has demonstrated a considerable demand from students for access into the evening.
COUNCILendorsed the recommendations regarding the future development of programmes in partnership with employers and the professions, the need for monitoring of the impact of growth in postgraduate programmes on patterns of home/EU and overseas recruitment, the monitoring and reviewing of the development of collaborative partnerships overseas, and the drive to develop more Foundation Degrees on campus and in partnership with major employers. Also recommended was the requirement to strengthen further the forward planning of programmes to aid marketing and recruitment.
COUNCIL thanked both the Head of the Learning and Quality Unit and the Pro-Vice Chancellor (Learning and Quality) for their substantial reports.
09.4.6 / ANNUAL REPORT ON EXTERNAL EXAMINING: 2007/2008:
The Head of Learning and Quality Unit presented the sixth Annual Review of External Examining for the session 2007-2008. The general view of examiners continues to be that the standards of assessment, student work and awards remain comparable with other institutions. All examiners agreed that decision making in Progression and Award Boards was fair and consistent. The Head of LQU proposed an internal audit of the external examiner system lead by a member of the senior team.
COUNCIL endorsed the reports’ recommendations that:
a)The University consider ways in which the relationship between PartnerCollege examiners and University Partners can be strengthened, with a particular emphasis on defining protocols and guidelines that govern examiner visits to UK Partners.
b)Schools and the LQU investigate ways in which Departments and the LQU can provide a more detailed induction to all newly appointed examiners, including provision of fully comprehensive School/Departmental based materials within the University’s appointment pack.
c)Specific and detailed attention is paid in the next ARPD to the outcomes of examining for Partnerships, both home and overseas, and that the ARPD itself be revised to guide compilers to address issues and outcomes rather than deployment and process.
09.4.7 / WIDENING PARTICIPATION STRATEGY: 2009-2013:
The Head of Access and Widening Participation Unit introduced a revised Widening Participation Strategy and Action Plan for 2009-2013. This report had been fully discussed at the Executive Committee.
COUNCIL endorsed the detailed strategy and action plan.
09.4.8 / RENAMING OF DEPARTMENTS IN THE SCHOOL OF HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES:
The School has recently undergone review and has restructured from six to four Departments. This consolidation is intended to aid cross-School collaboration,
to highlight current strengths in recruitment and provide a rich environment for research. No programmes are being lost in the restructuring. It was noted that since publication of the paper to COUNCIL it had been agreed that Society and Culture should be changed to Society, Political and Cultural Studies.
The proposed names for the new departments are:
Law and Criminology
Society, Political and Cultural Studies
Creative Writing, Drama and Communications
Languages and International Studies.
COUNCIL discussed the possible impact that the loss of titles such as ‘English’ and ‘History’ in the department names may have on student recruitment but determined that student searches for courses were primarily carried out by programme title and these were not lost.
The Pro-Vice Chancellor (Learning and Quality)reported concerns from some School staff about which departments they were to be allocated to. The Head of School indicated there were ongoing discussions about this.
The Chair of COUNCIL suggested some further consideration be given to the inclusion of ‘Creative Writing’ in a department name. The Head of School indicated that the department has depth and international reputation in this area.
COUNCIL approved the proposed names subject to further discussion of ‘Creative Writing’ in the department name.
N.B. Subsequently the title ‘Creative Writing, Drama and Communication’ has been changed to ‘Communication and Creative Arts’ ; ‘Society and Culture’ has been changed to ‘Social, Political and Cultural Studies’ and ‘International Studies and Languages’ will be changed to ‘Languages and International Studies’ and agreed through Chair’s Action.
09.4.9 / CONFIRMATION OF RECOMMENDATIONS OF EXAMINERS (MPhil/PhD)
Confirmed
MINUTES OF ACADEMIC COUNCIL COMMITTEES
09.4.10 / (a) CENTRAL COMMITTEES(i) SUMMARY OF KEY POINTS ARISING FROM CENTRAL
COMMITTEE MINUTES
No comments received.
(ii)FLOW OF MINUTES INTO ACADEMIC COUNCIL
COUNCIL noted the flow of minutes.
(b) SCHOOL BOARDS
(i) SUMMARY OF KEY POINTS ARISING FROM SCHOOL
BOARD MINUTES
No comments received
(ii) FLOW OF MINUTES INTO ACADEMIC COUNCIL
COUNCIL noted the flow of minutes.
The Chair of COUNCIL thanked outgoing members for their support of and contributions to COUNCIL:
Altaf Ismail Students’ Union
Mohammed Tarawneh Students’ Union
Margaret Noble PVC (Learning and Quality)
David Wills Deputy Vice Chancellor
Tricia Meers Head of School of Education and Training
The Chair of COUNCIL also expressed thanks to other staff and students’ union members not present for their work on COUNCIL.
The Secretary of COUNCIL reportedthat COUNCIL elections for the coming session were nearly complete and the membership list would soon be available.
09.4.11 / DATE OF THE NEXT MEETING OF ACADEMIC COUNCIL:
14 OCTOBER 2009, QUEEN ANNE 075, 3PM
Meeting closed at 5.00pm
Signature………………………………………………..Date………………………
(Chair)