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UNIVERSITY OF GLASGOW
Court Minute of Meeting held on Wednesday 18 April 2007 in The Senate Room
Present: Dr Jacqueline Atkinson Senate Assessor, Mr Norman Berry General Council Assessor, Professor Andrew Christie Co-opted Member, Mr Peter Daniels Co-opted Member, Ms Barbara Duffner Co-opted Member, Professor Mike French Senate Assessor, Mr James Gibb General Council Assessor, Dr Martin Macauley Senate Assessor, Bailie Margaret McCafferty GCC Assessor, Mr Alan Macfarlane General Council Assessor, Dr Laura Martin Senate Assessor, Professor Keith Millar Senate Assessor, Ms Shona Morrison SRC President, Mr Anders Aufderhorst-Roberts SRC Assessor, Mr Alex Ross Employee Representative, Mr David Ross General Council Assessor, Sir Muir Russell Principal, Professor Mona Siddiqui Senate Assessor, Mr Kevin Sweeney General Council Assessor, Mrs Joy Travers Chancellor's Assessor (Convener). In attendance: Professor Steve Beaumont (Vice-Principal Research & Enterprise), Mr Ian Black (Director of Human Resources), Mr Robert Fraser (Director of Finance), Miss Jan Hulme (Academic Secretary), Mr Jim McConnell (Director of Estates and Buildings), Ms Deborah Maddern (Administrative Officer), Professor Andrew Nash (Clerk of Senate), Dr Karen Ness (Director Research Strategy), Mr David Newall (Secretary of Court), Professor Andrea Nolan (VicePrincipal Learning & Teaching), Ms Susan Stewart (Director of Corporate Communications) Apologies: Members: The Rector, Professor John Briggs Senate Assessor, Dr Robin Easton Co-opted Member, Dr Alastair Hunter Employee Representative, Professor Michael Scott-Morton Coopted Member Attenders: Professor John Coggins (Vice-Principal Life Sciences & Medicine), Professor Robin Leake (Vice-Principal Physical Sciences & Engineering) CRT/2006/29. Announcements Court welcomed Mr Kevin Sweeney to his first meeting as General Council Assessor. CRT/2006/30. Minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday 14 February 2007 The minutes were approved. CRT/2006/31. Matters Arising not otherwise on the Agenda With regard to minute CRT/2006/22.5 IT Education Unit, Court noted that a report would be provided at the next meeting.
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With regard to minute CRT/2006/22.4 Internationalisation, Court noted that the International Business Development Group and the Internationalisation Working Group were to report to the Senior Management Group shortly, and that it was expected that the appointment of regional champions and the establishment of an Internationalisation Steering Group would follow. CRT/2006/32. Key Performance Indicators in Teaching and Research The Vice-Principal (Research & Enterprise), Professor Steve Beaumont, and the VicePrincipal (Learning & Teaching), Professor Andrea Nolan, attended the meeting to present on Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for their areas. Court noted that detailed work had been undertaken to develop a meaningful and effective KPI framework. Court heard that the process of developing KPIs had concentrated on aligning them with the strategic themes and objectives set out in the University’s strategic plan. It had been an important consideration that the KPIs be quantifiable and suitable for historical and peer comparison, and that they lead to a consolidated institutional framework that was both realistic and stretching. Court heard that the University’s strategy for research and knowledge transfer was organised around four strategic themes which provided the framework for the development of specific actions in support of delivering the University’s ambitions. The strategic themes were: the research environment; international excellence; interdisciplinary research; and knowledge transfer. Court noted that the development of KPIs for research and knowledge transfer had included the generation of an extended list of measures as potential KPIs, which were then analysed by relevance to the research strategic themes and by stage in the research business cycle. The KPIs eventually selected fell into three groups: financial performance and related institutional behaviour; postgraduate research students; and research quality and esteem. A range of supporting measures had been identified for each of these three KPI groups. Examples included, respectively, the establishment of the International Business Development Group which was taking forward a number of initiatives, a web-based application system for postgraduate research applications, and the establishment of the Kelvin Smith Fellowship Scheme. Work was ongoing to develop a suite of reports based on the KPI framework to allow regular reporting and monitoring of progress. Court learnt that the University’s strategy for learning and teaching was organised around three strategic themes: shaping the University learning community (through internationalisation; postgraduate development; and widening participation); excelling in learning and teaching (through enhancing profile, reward and recognition for learning and teaching; optimising assessment; and streamlining bureaucracy) and enhancing the student experience (through enhancing student success; promoting employability, enterprise and entrepreneurship; and developing technology to support student learning). Of these, the Faculties had identified internationalisation and enhancing student success as key priorities. KPIs developed for these areas were, respectively, international student numbers and international study opportunities, and progression rates and the admissions tariff. Supporting measures included investment in the International and Postgraduate Service and the establishment of a crossUniversity retention working group. It was noted that internationalisation was defined as a process of integrating an international dimension into all the University’s activities. As such it was a priority of both the learning and teaching and the research and knowledge transfer strategies.
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Court noted that the KPIs agreed for learning and teaching were quantitative; however, much enhancement and improvement in the quality of the learning experience for students and the quality of teaching was not fully captured by these methods. Qualitative data capture was being developed in order to analyse the richness and diversity of enhancement ongoing across the institution. As far as possible the existing reporting structures and measures would be used. Court noted with interest the sets of KPIs provided as part of the presentation. Court agreed that if the University were to meet the objectives defined in the strategic plan, then it must embed the KPIs in its planning and budgeting process. Work had begun to deconstruct institutional KPI targets down to Faculty level. It was proposed that their review become an integral part of the dialogue between Deans and the VicePrincipal (Strategy and Budgeting) that took place in the annual planning cycle, always ensuring that Faculty targets were consolidated and referenced against agreed institutional targets. Court agreed that this approach should be adopted. Court approved the approach to KPIs described in the presentation and the accompanying paper, as a University-wide framework for setting performance targets and monitoring progress towards these targets for Learning & Teaching and for Research & Enterprise. It was agreed that the KPIs should be presented to Court on a regular basis, following their presentation to the Senior Management Group on each occasion. Court thanked Professors Beaumont and Nolan and their teams for the presentation and for their excellent work. CRT/2006/33. Report from the Principal CRT/2006/33.1 Crichton Campus Court was reminded that at its February meeting, it had agreed that the University should not admit new undergraduate entrants to the Crichton Campus in September 2007. It had also agreed that it would consider future options for any Glasgow presence at Crichton, following further discussions with the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) and partners and the development of what the SFC was calling a “route map” for Crichton. The process of looking at options was ongoing. Court was also reminded that an academic plan was being drawn up to address the implications of its decision and that staff were being consulted as appropriate about how the proposed changes could best be managed. Court heard that the University had been assisting applicants who had responded to the invitation to seek advice. It noted the update on the academic plan, prepared by the Academic Secretary. The Principal reported that he had visited the Crichton Campus recently and had responded to a number of concerns expressed by staff and students there. The clear position going forward was that the University could only maintain involvement on a break-even basis. The SRC President Ms Morrison read a statement on behalf of staff and students at the Crichton Campus It was noted that some discussion was ongoing about possible provision of a new postgraduate course to add to the existing small niche Postgraduate Taught portfolio in the short to medium term. The intention was to use capacity likely to be available because of the lack of undergraduate intake in September 2007 to increase one year postgraduate numbers across the portfolio. This would need to be managed carefully to ensure that this activity was compatible with reducing
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the annual deficit at Crichton. No activity would be undertaken that incurred additional unsupported costs and indeed the objective was to reduce the deficit at a faster rate through enhanced income generation. It was confirmed that regular communication was being had, and would be maintained, with staff and students at the Crichton Campus. CRT/2006/33.2 Scottish Funding Council: Grant for 2007/08 Court noted a summary of Funding Council Circular SFC 16/2007, announcing the award of grant funding to higher education institutions for 2007/08. The University's grant increase of 5.2% compared with a Scottish average rise of 4.7%. The Teaching element of the University's grant had increased by 3.8% (Scottish average 3.6%) and the Research element by 8.4% (average 8.5%). The University has lost some ground against competitors, owing to postgraduate research student numbers having fallen in recent years. Increasing research student numbers was a priority for the University. CRT/2006/33.3 Student Retention Court noted that the Senior Management Group (SMG) had recently discussed what might be done to improve the University's undergraduate retention rate. As had been explained in the presentation on KPIs for learning and teaching, several actions had been agreed that were designed to make for a more welcoming and supportive environment for first-year entrants. CRT/2006/33.4 Staff Attitude Survey Court heard that a wide-ranging staff attitude survey was currently being undertaken, following a similar format to that of 2004. The results of the survey would be reported initially to the Human Resources Committee and would be presented to Court at its next meeting. CRT/2006/33.5 Home student admission targets for 2007 Court heard that the SMG had agreed undergraduate admissions targets for Home students in 2007. In considering these, the Group had discussed the continuing difficulty being experienced in recruiting to science and engineering which added to difficulties in ensuring satisfactory retention and completion rates. Given that various recruitment initiatives were being taken in the relevant Faculties, the discussion had concluded with an agreement to set undergraduate admissions targets for 2007 at broadly the same level as for 2006, but to review the progress of recruitment and retention initiatives in January 2008. CRT/2006/33.6 The University's portfolio of Scholarships Court noted that there had been considerable discussion in recent months on the University's scholarship portfolio, with a concern to ensure that scholarships helped the University attract excellent undergraduate and postgraduate students, increase international student numbers, and support its commitment to wider access. SMG had now agreed on the shape of the University's scholarship provision.
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CRT/2006/33.7 International student growth profile Court noted that the SMG had discussed the University's plans for growth in international student numbers. The University had a strategic goal that, by 2012, 20% of students should be international (non-EU). SMG had been concerned that, to date, plans for growth had focused disproportionately on Law, Business & Social Sciences. It had been agreed by the Group that every Faculty should aim to achieve a minimum of 15% international students by 2012. CRT/2006/33.8 Postgraduate research student strategy Court noted that at its March meeting, the SMG had considered the University's performance in attracting postgraduate research students. The SMG had discussed a range of actions that must be taken forward if performance was to be improved, including more effective marketing and administration of applications and the more effective use of scholarships. CRT/2006/33.9 Senior Management Appointments Court noted that on 1 August, Professor Neal Juster would become VicePrincipal (Strategy & Budgeting) in succession to Professor Anton Muscatelli, and that Professor Frank Coton of Aerospace Engineering would succeed Professor John Hancock as Dean of Engineering. CRT/2006/34. Reports of Court Committees CRT/2006/34.1 Finance Committee CRT/2006/34.1.1. VAT – Capital Projects Court noted that following the 2007 UK Budget, the local VAT office had confirmed that the University no longer needed to pay VAT on the new medical research buildings, despite their use for commercial and teaching activities that would normally have involved a VAT liability. CRT/2006/34.1.2. Overview of Performance as at February 2007 Court noted the encouraging reports on Income & Expenditure, outlook projections and the Balance Sheet and Cashflow. CRT/2006/34.2 Audit Committee The report of the Audit Committee was noted. CRT/2006/34.3 Human Resources Committee CRT/2006/34.3.1 Gender Equality Duty Court noted the requirements placed on the University by the Gender Equality Duty, including the fact that it covered staff and students and others and that it required consultation with these stakeholders. Court approved the progress made to date and the general direction taken with regard to the Gender Equality Duty.
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CRT/2006/34.3.2 Maternity Policy and Guidance Notes Court approved the updated Maternity Policy and Guidance Notes. CRT/2006/34.4 Estates Committee A draft Estates Strategy document had been prepared and would be presented to Court in June. Court supported the objective of returning the building currently occupied by Glasgow and Strathclyde OTC to University of Glasgow academic use and noted recent developments regarding the sale of the St Andrews Campus and reporting arrangements for Capital Projects. Court further noted two anticipated capital overspends on project CP01/496: Scene, Rowardennan Phase 1 (Research) in the additional anticipated sum of £210,876 (+7.1%) and on project CP04/744: Post Graduate Student Accommodation, Main Building in the sum of £295,000. It was confirmed that the SRC would be included in any discussions about the future of the John McIntyre Building. CRT/2006/34.5 Nominations Committee CRT/2006/34.5.1 Estates Committee Court approved the Nominations Committee's recommendation that Mr Peter Daniels be confirmed as the new chair of the Estates Committee from 1 August 2007, in succession to Professor Robin Leake. The appointment would initially be for a period of two years, up to the end of Mr Daniels' membership of Court. CRT/2006/34.5.2 Investment Advisory Committee Court noted that two members of the Investment Advisory Committee had recently indicated that they would like to retire, and that the Convener of the Committee and the Secretary of Court had approached two experienced investment professionals with a view to inviting them to serve on the Committee. Court agreed that, subject to their being willing, and to the Nominations Committee being satisfied on viewing their CVs, they should be invited to be members of the Investment Advisory Committee with effect from its next meeting, which was scheduled for September 2007. Court formally recorded its thanks to the retiring members of the Investment Advisory Committee, Mr Ronald Graham and Dr Forbes Macpherson, for their work on the Committee and also for their wider service to the University. CRT/2006/35. Report from the Secretary of Court CRT/2006/35.1 Internal Audit Report on Governance Court noted that the Internal Auditors had completed a routine audit on Governance in the University and noted their report, which included detailed recommendations and an action plan showing who would be responsible for addressing each. With regard to the auditors’ first recommendation, Court approved the proposed Statement of Primary Responsibilities, subject to the addition of text recognising the non-executive role of most Court members, in
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the general responsibilities section of the Statement. Court noted that it was intended to develop a formal Scheme of Delegated Authorities, which would be brought to Court at a later date. CRT/2006/35.2 Monitoring Faculty Performance Court noted that the Chancellor's Assessor and Secretary of Court had met recently to discuss how best Court could monitor Faculty performance. Court was reminded that in recent meetings, it had taken a step towards a more effective oversight of Faculties, inviting Deans to make presentations on Faculty performance. These had been well-received but, with 9 Faculties, it was not easy to have an effective system of monitoring based around presentations. Court confirmed its earlier agreement that KPIs should be introduced for each Faculty. CRT/2006/35.3 Appeal against Redundancy Court noted that, following Redundancy Committees’ recommendations with regard to posts in the Departments of Music and Psychology being made redundant from 31st October 2006, an appeal against redundancy had been received from one person affected. Court noted that an independent person had been engaged to hear the appeal, which was not upheld. CRT/2006/35.4 Redundancy Committee and Structural Change Committee Court was reminded that at its last meeting, it had agreed that the Secretary of Court should establish a Redundancy Committee and Structural Change Committee to look at matters relating to IT support for students with disabilities. The report of the Redundancy Committee was now provided to Court. Court noted that the Redundancy Committee had approved and confirmed the composition of the Structural Change Committee; that the Redundancy Committee had accepted the conclusions of the Structural Change Committee with regard to the post of IT Adviser, Disability being a unique role in the University and that there did not appear to be a redundancy pool, so that there was a single redundant post; and that the Redundancy Committee had accepted the recommendation of the Structural Change Committee that the post of IT Adviser, Disability, be made redundant. Court approved the Redundancy Committee's recommendation to Court that the post of IT Adviser, Disability, was redundant. CRT/2006/35.5 General Council Court was reminded that at its last meeting, it had agreed that the General Council should be asked to consider operating a different method of selecting Court members, perhaps via a nominations process conducted by the General Council's Business Committee. This was to avoid having to apply the existing, unwieldy, electoral procedure in the event that there were more candidates than vacancies for General Council Assessors on Court. Court noted that the General Council Business Committee had discussed the matter at its meeting on 22 March, and that it seemed likely that the Council would follow Court's suggestion that it create a Nominations Committee to oversee the future appointment of Assessors on Court.
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CRT/2006/35.6 Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act Court noted that The Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Bill had been passed by the Scottish Parliament on 8 March, that the Act was likely to come into force in 2009 and that various pieces of secondary legislation would be required before certain provisions could be brought into force. Court also noted that it was likely that the legislation would require governing body members, as trustees of children's charities, to be vetted through Disclosure Scotland since their position was deemed to involve regulated work with children (under 18 years old). The Scottish Executive had advised that guidance would be issued in due course to HEIs on how the Bill would apply to them. Court would receive this advice as soon as it was available. CRT/2006/35.7 Resolution Relating to Degree Regulations Court was reminded that Resolution 553 – Degree of Bachelor of Dental Surgery had been approved by it at its last meeting and had been placed on deposit in the Court Office, having already been approved by the General Council and Senate. No further comments had been received, and Court noted that acting under delegated authority and on Court’s behalf the Secretary of Court had approved the Resolution. The text of the Resolution was available from the Court Office. CRT/2006/35.8 Headship of the Department of Celtic Court noted that acting under delegated authority and on behalf of Court, the Secretary of Court had approved the recommendation of the Committee of Appointment that Professor Roibeard Ó Maolalaigh be appointed as the Head of the Department of Celtic for the period 1 August 2007 to 31 July 2011 in succession to Professor Thomas Clancy. CRT/2006/35.9 Headship of the Department of English Literature Court noted that acting under delegated authority and on behalf of Court, the Secretary of Court had approved the recommendation of the Committee of Appointment that Dr John Coyle be appointed as the Head of the Department of English Literature for the period 16 April 2007 to 31 July 2011 in succession to Dr Nicola Trott, who was leaving the University on 15 April. CRT/2006/35.10 Headship of the Department of Scottish Literature Court noted that acting under delegated authority and on behalf of Court, the Secretary of Court had approved the recommendation of the Committee of Appointment that Dr Gerard Carruthers be appointed as the Head of the Department of Scottish Literature for the period 1 August 2007 to 31 July 2011 in succession to Professor Alan Riach. CRT/2006/35.11 Headship of the Department of Theology and Religious Studies Court noted that acting under delegated authority and on behalf of Court, the Secretary of Court had approved the recommendation of the Committee of Appointment that Professor Ian Hazlett be re-appointed as the Head of the Department of Theology and Religious Studies for a further year from 1 August 2007 to 31 July 2008.
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CRT/2006/35.12 Headship of the Department of Mechanical Engineering Court noted that acting under delegated authority and on behalf of Court, the Secretary of Court had established the following Appointing Committee for the Headship of the Department of Mechanical Engineering, where the current Head Professor Matthew Cartmell would demit office on 31st July 2007: Professor David Fearn (Cognate Dean) Professor John Briggs (Senate Assessor) CRT/2006/35.13 Associate Dean Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Court noted that acting under delegated authority and on behalf of Court, the Secretary of Court had established the following Appointing Committee for a Court appointment, where the current Associate Dean had demitted office from 1st March 2007: Vet Faculty – Associate Dean (Learning and Teaching) Professor Stuart Reid (Convener) Professor John Briggs (Senate Assessor) Court also noted that acting under delegated authority and on behalf of Court, the Secretary of Court had subsequently approved the appointment of Dr Jim Anderson to the position of Associate Dean (Learning and Teaching), the appointment to run from 19 March 2007 to 31 December 2010. CRT/2006/35.14 Vice-Principal (Learning & Teaching) Court approved an extension of Professor Nolan's appointment as Vice-Principal (Learning & Teaching) for a further 3 years, from 1 November 2007 to 31 October 2010. CRT/2006/35.15 Amendments to Constitution of Glasgow University Union Court noted that acting under delegated authority and on behalf of Court, the Secretary of Court had approved a number of (non material) changes to the constitution of the Glasgow University Union. A copy of the amended Constitution was available for inspection at the Court Office. CRT/2006/35.16 Modern Languages Court was reminded that it had established a committee, originally comprising John Briggs, Anton Muscatelli and David Newall, to review the activities of the School of Modern Languages and Cultures. The committee’s interim report had included a requirement that the German Section should prepare a forward plan for its activities, which would then reviewed by the committee in discussion with the Dean and with some external expertise. Court was advised that the Group had now concluded its review and would submit a final report to Court in June.
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CRT/2006/36. Communications from Meeting of Senate held on 15 March 2007 CRT/2006/36.1 Proposed Establishment of Centres for Applied Ethics & Legal Philosophy and for Internationalisation & Enterprise Research Court noted that under delegated authority and on behalf of Court, the Secretary of Court had approved the proposed constitutions for the Centre for Applied Ethics & Legal Philosophy and the Centre for Internationalisation & Enterprise Research, both in the Faculty of Law, Business and Social Sciences. CRT/2006/36.2 Dates of Session 2007-08 - Addendum Court noted that under delegated authority and on behalf of Court, the Secretary of Court had approved the proposed dates of session for 2007-08 for degrees in the Faculties of Education, Medicine and Veterinary Medicine. CRT/2006/36.3 Extension to tenure of Senate Assessors on Court Court noted that Senate had approved extensions to the periods of office of two of the current Senate Assessors on Court. The terms of office of Professor Mike French and Dr Laura Martin would be extended by one and two years respectively, to 31 July 2008 and 31 July 2010. CRT/2006/36.4 Honorary Degrees Court requested that the timings of Senate and Court meetings be checked to ensure that Court would have an opportunity annually to see the list of proposed recipients of honorary degrees. The Communications from Senate were otherwise noted. CRT/2006/37. Any Other Business There was no other business. CRT/2006/38. Farewell Court noted that Dr Jacqueline Atkinson was attending her final meeting, since she was not able to attend the June meeting. Court thanked Dr Atkinson for her contributions to Court and its committees and wished her well in the future. CRT/2006/39. Date of Next Meeting The next meeting of the Court will be held on Wednesday 27 June 2007 at 2pm in the Forehall, next to the University Chapel.
Prepared by: Deborah Maddern Clerk to Committee d.maddern@admin.gla.ac.uk Last modified on: Thursday 19 April 2007 Version: 1
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