UNIVERSITY OF
ABERDEEN
SENATUS ACADEMICUS
Minutes of the meeting held on
Wednesday 8 October 2003
Present: Principal, Professors Sewel, Houlihan, Dr JG Roberts, Professors Logan, Rodger, MacGregor, Hubbuck, Sleeman, Baker, Jolliffe, Buckland, Macinnes, Webster, Jordan, Chandler, Bryden, Graham, Howe, Player, Saunders, Beaumont, Mitchell, Ditchburn, Secombes, Dr B Fennell, Ms C Macaslan, Dr P Kinnear, Dr J Murdoch, Ms D McKenzie-Skene, Dr W Long, Dr A Clarke, Mr I Stefanov, Professors Adams, Archbold, Mr W Brotherstone, Ms L Clark, Dr G Coghill, Dr IG Craw, Professors Duff, Hotson, Lurie, Salmon, Dr P Edwards, Dr J Farmer, Dr C Gray, Dr D Heddle, Dr M Holmes, Mrs B Hookey, Dr D Inglis, Dr J King, Dr X Lambin, Dr J MacDowall, Dr D MacPhee, Dr M Masson, Dr A Memon, Dr D Pearson, Dr L Philip, Dr J Skakle, Mr S Styles, Dr S Townsend, Dr M White, Dr N Dower, Ms J Duncan, Mr J Dunphy, Mr D Cockburn, Mr G Humphries, Ms N Drennan, Professor S Kunin with Mr D Donaldson in attendance.
Apologies for absence were received from Professors Lyall, Templeton, Thomson, Forte, Bruce, Sharp, Little, Flin, Ms R Buchan, Ms M Ramsay, Professors Burgess, Urwin, Dr P Benson, Professors Blaikie, Gow, Dr S Lawrie, Dr J Liversidge, Dr D Reid, Dr D Hay, Dr A Hull, Dr W MacCausland, Dr A Mordue, Dr J Ollason, Mrs M Ross, Dr M Syrontinski and Ms D White.
APPROVAL
OF MINUTES
763. The minutes of the meeting held on 18 June
and of the In Absentia and In Person
Graduation
Graduation Ceremonies held between 7 and 16 July 2003 were
approved.
STATEMENT
BY PRINCIPAL
764.1 In opening the
meeting, the Principal extended his congratulations to Professor Steve Bruce on
his election as a Fellow of the British Academy and Senate agreed that the
Principal should convey Senate’s congratulations to Professor Bruce on this
achievement.
764.2 The Principal then reported that, generally,
the admission and registration of new students at the start of the new academic
year had been very favourable. Whilst
this reflected the tremendous efforts of a range of staff involved with
recruitment and admissions, the Principal extended his congratulations to all
academic staff as, ultimately, the quality of the University’s academic
programmes and its staff were a determining factor in applicants deciding to accept
the University’s offer of admission.
While the overall picture was favourable, there was room for improving
the recruitment of research students to the University, which was a general
area of concern for many Universities.
The Principal then invited Professor Houlihan to provide Senate with a
preliminary, oral, report on admissions and registrations as at 4 October 2003.
764.3 Professor Houlihan echoed the Principal’s comments that
the overall picture was, indeed, very favourable, with full-time fundable first
degree students exceeding target by between 25 and 30, with a further increase
of 25 admissions of overseas students to first degrees. The overall picture for part-time admissions
was on target, with Socrates/Erasmus admissions offsetting under recruitment in
part-time degree students. Admission
targets for the PGCE Primary and Secondary programmes had also been met, with
the former achieving an increased target for this year.
764.4 On the postgraduate front, Professor Houlihan reported that
overseas taught postgraduate students numbers had been maintained overall,
which demonstrated the continued attractiveness of the University’s taught
Masters programmes, although there had been variability between admissions to
individual programmes compared with expectations. Although the registration of research students had only commenced
on 1 October, predictions were that numbers would be slightly below target.
764.5 In summary, Professor Houlihan reported that the University’s
strategy in professionalising the recruitment service had again proved
successful, with the Open Days and other visits contributing to the success in
convincing a higher percentage of applicants to place Aberdeen as their first
choice of University. The success of
the strategy was also apparent during Clearing, when the University was able to
fill the few remaining MA places by the end of the first week, although the
University had continued to admit to the BSc (Pure Science) degree throughout
Clearing. He reported that the next
admissions cycle had commenced and that it was hoped that the University’s
total population would allow the University to set slightly lower targets for
home students. Efforts would also be
made to raise the entry standard of students in future. Professor Houlihan concluded by indicating
that the Admissions Report would be submitted to the next meeting of Senate
once the initial registration period had ended.
764.6 In concluding his statement, and as an
introduction to the next item, the Principal indicated that he had gained the
impression that the implementation of the new academic structures, with the
establishment of Colleges from 1 August 2003, had progressed smoothly and that
colleagues were adapting to the new structures, which he was convinced would be
beneficial to the University. The
Principal highlighted that the University’s commitment to investing in the new
structures and a recent press report that the University was seeking to recruit
200 or more posts should not be misinterpreted. While new posts would be created and some of the investment would
be used to ensure that the University attracted academic staff of the calibre
required to allow the University to achieve its aspirations in terms of the
next research assessment exercise, many of the 200 or so vacancies would have
arisen naturally over the course of the next three years; and some of the funds
identified by the University Court for restructuring would enable staff to
secure attractive early retirement packages, which would provide the University
with the flexibility that it required at this stage. The Principal then invited Professor Sewel to introduce the paper
on College structures.
PROPOSALS FOR COLLEGE AND SUB-COLLEGE STRUCTURES
765.1In
introducing the proposals for College and Sub-College structures that had been
circulated to members, Professor Sewel formally moved the adoption of the Draft
Resolution to approve the reform of academic structures, which had been
appended to the paper.
765.2 Professor Sewel indicated that, in approving the outline
proposal at its last meeting, Senate had agreed that Schools would remain the
basic operational academic unit to which staff would be assigned and that
Schools would remain the basic form of budgetary grouping. He confirmed that the proposals that had
been placed before Senate had arisen very much out of discussion and
consultation within, and between, Colleges since the last meeting of Senate and
that they suggested coherent structures but with a degree of flexibility. He outlined the main features of the
internal governance of Colleges, and reported that some Colleges would seek to
appoint Directors of Research and of Teaching and Learning, but who would not
have executive responsibility: the line management arrangements would be that
staff within Schools would report to the Head of School, who would report to
the Head of College. All Colleges would
have strong and effective administrative support to allow academics, generally,
not to be involved with administration but to lead and manage, as well as
undertaking their academic activities, with administration being undertaken by
professional administrators as far as possible. Professor Sewel therefore commended the proposals to the Senate
and invited discussion.
765.3 During the discussion that followed, the
following main points were noted:-
(i)
that paragraph 5 of
the Draft Resolution should be interpreted as permitting flexibility in the
internal governance structures of each college. The intention was that the structures, once approved by the
Senate, would be forwarded to the University Court, together with the Draft
Resolution, for approval; and that paragraph 5 of the Draft Resolution provided
for subsequent changes to the internal structures to be made by the Senate and
the Court, after appropriate consultation, without the need for another
Resolution;
(ii)
that while the ethos
of the University was that decisions should be taken after a collegial and
consentual process, ultimately decisions on College matters would be taken by
the Head of College, who would be supported by a College Executive;
(iii)
confirmation, after a
show of hands, that references to the various college committees meeting each
term should in fact relate to each half-session, and that the proposals
concerning the frequency that meetings should take place would be ordinarily
the case, to provide some flexibility;
(iv)
that budgets would be
allocated to Heads of College, who would determine those to be devolved to
Heads of School;
(v)
that it would be up
to Heads of School to decide the extent to which they might devolve management
tasks to others in their School;
(vi)
confirmation that a
Working Party would propose to the College Executive guidance for School
governance within the College of Arts and Social Sciences;
(vii)
confirmation,
following a vote, that meetings of the College Council should meet, ordinarily,
at least twice per half-session rather than adoption of a formal amendment that
College Councils should meet, ordinarily, at least once per half-session;
(viii)
recognition that
students should be represented on each College Teaching and Learning Committee
and that this had been omitted inadvertently from the proposal;
765.4At
the closure of the discussion, the Senate voted in favour of the proposals, as
summarised below; and agreed to approve, for its part, Resolution No < > of 2003 [Reform of Academic Structure]
and forward it to the University Court for approval, together with the Internal
Governance Structures summarised below.
765.5 In approving the proposals, Senate agreed
that each College would have the following:
(i) College Executive: This
group would meet, ordinarily, at least once a month and would be the locus for
strategic planning and decision-making.
Each Executive would comprise the Head of College, the Heads of School,
the Chair of Teaching & Learning Committee, the Chair of the Research &
Commercialisation Committee, and the College Registrar. Other staff would be invited to attend as
required.
(ii) College Council: This group would meet, ordinarily, at least
twice per half-session to enhance communications within Colleges. It would include elected representatives
from the academic constituencies and representation for non-academic members of
staff, and students. The proportion
from each constituency would be determined by each College, following
appropriate consultation. The Council
would review, advise and inform College academic planning.
(iii) College Forum: This group would meet, ordinarily, at least
once a year and would comprise all members of staff of the College. The Forum would facilitate communication and
open discussion on issues affecting the College and its staff.
(iv) Research &
Commercialisation Committee: The
Research & Commercialisation Committee would meet, ordinarily, at least twice
per half-session and the Chair of the Committee would be a member of the
College Executive. The remit would
include RAE planning and direction, prioritisation of research, preparation of
bids for internal and external resources, directing research opportunities and
monitoring and reviewing research and commercialisation performance.
(v) Teaching & Learning
Committee: The Teaching &
Learning Committee would meet, ordinarily, at least twice per half-session and
the Chair would be a member of the College Executive. The remit would include College-wide responsibility for course
and programme academic planning, reviewing current provision, student
recruitment and retention, and quality assurance and quality enhancement and
related matters. The membership would
include student representation.
765.6 In addition to the above, Senate noted that each College may
establish Sub-Committees to address issues such as IT and libraries and ad hoc working groups and committees to
deal with specific issues as required.
Senate also noted the following:-
(i)
that there would be
six Schools in the College of Arts & Social Sciences: Business School; School of Law; School of
Social Science; School of Education; School of Language & Literature; and
School of Divinity, History & Philosophy;
(ii)
that there would be
four Schools in the College of Life Sciences & Medicine: School of Medicine; School of Medical
Sciences; School of Biological Sciences; and School of Psychology;
(iii)
that in the College
of Physical Sciences, academic activity would be arranged in two
divisions: (i) Engineering &
Physical Sciences School; and (ii) Geosciences School. The divisions would be led by Heads of
School who would have overall line management responsibility for staff as well
as accountability for budgetary issues.
In addition, the College would establish a graduate school.
(1 July and 16 September 2003)
766.1 The Senate noted the following actions taken by the University
Court at its meetings of 1 July and 16 September 2003.
1. Colleges Proposal
766.2 The Senate noted that the Court had approved a paper to introduce
a College Structure, which had been endorsed by Senate at its meeting of 18th
June.
2. Draft Resolution No of
2003
[Reform of Academic Structure]
766.3 The Senate
noted that the Court, for its part, approved the draft Resolution No of 2003 [Reform of Academic Structure] and
agreed to forward it to Senate and to the General Council and to make it
generally available in terms of Section 6 of the Universities (Scotland Act)
1966.
3. University
Committees: Remits and Compositions
766.4 The Senate
noted that the Court had approved a series of amendments to the remits and
compositions of joint committees of Court and Senate in light of the establishment
of Colleges.
4. Resolution
No of 2003
[Code of Practice on Student Discipline]
766.5 The Senate noted that the Court had received from Senate the draft
Resolution No of 2003 [Code of
Practice on Student Discipline]. The
Senate noted that the Court had approved the draft Resolution and had agreed
to forward it to the General Council
and to make it generally available in terms of
Section 6 of the Universities (Scotland Act) 1966.
5. Procedures for Dealing with Allegations of Plagiarism
Against Graduates of the
University
766.6 The Senate noted that the Court had received from Senate the
Procedures for Dealing with Allegations of Plagiarism Against Graduates of the
University and had approved the
Procedures.
6. Race Equality
Plan
766.7 The Senate noted that the Court had noted the Senate’s amendments to the Race Equality Plan, and that these had been incorporated in the approved Plan.
REPORT FOR THE
UNIVERSITY COMMITTEE ON TEACHING AND LEARNING
767. The Senate noted that the Convener of the
University Committee on Teaching and Learning (UCTL), after consultation with
the Conveners of the Academic Standards Committees and Undergraduate Programme
Committees and the Heads of College, had approved, on behalf of the UCTL,
revised forms and procedures for course and programme approval. These would be implemented for the 2003/04
Planning Cycle after consideration at a meeting of Heads of School on 9
October, at which further proposals concerning a review of the University’s
Quality Assurance procedures would be discussed.
1. General Regulations for Postgraduate Qualifications
768.1 The Senate approved a change to the General
Regulations for Postgraduate Qualifications, Schedule A – General Regulations
for Research Degrees, as under:
To the end of Regulation 1 add “,
appropriately designated”.
2. New and Discontinued Courses and Programmes
768.2 The Senate
noted that the Academic Standards Committees, on the recommendation of the
relevant Faculties, had approved changes to the list of courses and programmes
available as under, subject where indicated to resolution of queries with
individuals Schools and Departments:
(A)
INDIVIDUAL
DEGREE AND DIPLOMA COURSES (UNDERGRADUATE)
Introduction of a new level 3 course: ‘General Essay in
Accounting’.
Introduction of new level 4 courses:
‘Derivatives and Treasury Management’; ‘Empirical Methods in Finance’ (for
2004/05).
Withdrawal of the course: AC3532.
Withdrawal of the course: AT4002.
Introduction of a new level 2 course: ‘From Redshanks to Romantics: Scottish Gaeldom’s Interaction with
her Neighbours 1540 – 1763’.
Chemistry
Introduction of a new level 3 course: ‘Topics in Biology for Chemistry
Students’
Withdrawal of courses: CR1001; CR1002; CR1003; CR1004;
CR1005; CR1006; CR1007; CR2001; CR2002; CR2003; CR2004; CR2005; CR2006; CR2007;
CR2008; CR2009; CR2010; CR2011; CR2012; CR2013; CR3001; CR3002; CR3003; CR3004;
CR3005; CR3006; CR3007; CR3008; CR3009; CR3010; CR3011; CR3045; CR3046; CR3047.
Introduction of new level 3 courses: ‘Citizenship:
Theological Perspectives on Participating in Society’; ‘Understanding Islam: An
Anthropological Perspective’.
Withdrawal of courses: DR4042 and DR4538.
Withdrawal of courses; ED1001; ED1002; ED1003; ED1012;
ED1013; ED1014; ED2001; ED2002; ED2003; ED2019; ED2020; ED3002; ED3003; ED3016;
ED3017.
Introduction of a new level 4 course: ‘Comedian Comedy’.
Withdrawal of the course: GG3521
Withdrawal of the course: GL2507
Introduction of a new level 3 course: ‘Historical Research
for Visiting Students’.
Introduction
of new level 1 courses: ‘Professional Ethics’; ‘Special Project in Philosophy’;
‘Philosophy for Schools’.
Introduction
of new level 2 courses: ‘ French Language and Society 1’; ‘French Language and
Society 2’.
Introduction
of new level 3 courses: ‘Tutoring Online Courses’; ‘Designing Online Courses’.
Introduction of a new level 3 course: ‘The Changing
Countryside’ (from 2004/05).
Introduction of new level 4 courses: ‘Applied Environmental
Regulation’ (from 2004/05); ‘Integrated Environmental Management’.
Withdrawal of courses: LE3020; LE3025 (from 2004/05);
LM3003; LM3901; LM3701 (from 2004/05).
Introduction of new level 3 courses: ‘Industrial Democracy
and Employee Participation’; ‘Understanding and Managing Behaviour in
Organisations’; ‘Integrated Marketing Communications’.
Introduction of new level 4 courses: ‘Industrial Democracy
and Employee Participation’; ‘Understanding and Managing Behaviour in
Organisations’; ‘Integrated Marketing Communications’.
Introduction
of a new level 3 course: ‘Survival Statistics and Actuarial and Medical
Applications’
Withdrawal of the course: MX3525
Introduction
of a new level 3 course: ‘Neuropsychology’ (replaces PS3010)
Introduction of new level 4 courses: ‘Internet and Society’;
‘Body Work and Body Workers’.
(B)
NEW AND WITHDRAWN CERTIFICATE AND DEGREE PROGRAMMES
(UNDERGRADUATE)
Introduction
of new Single Honours programme: ‘Environmental Management’.
Withdrawal
of Designated programme: Rural Development.
Withdrawal
of Single Honours programmes: Countryside and Environmental Management; Rural
Development (from 2004/05 entry).
Degree of
Bachelor of Science
Withdrawal of Honours programme: ‘Countryside &
Environmental Management’.
Withdrawal of Designated programme: ‘Countryside &
Environmental Management’.
(C)
POSTGRADUATE
COURSES
Introduction
of a new level 5 course: ‘Kings, Poets and Goddesses: Medieval Irish Prose
Tales’.
Introduction of new level 5 courses: ‘Project in Information
Technology’ (replacing CS5929); ‘Introductory Programming in Java’ (replacing
CS5021); ‘Systems Analysis and Design’ (replacing CS5034); ‘Introduction to
Knowledge-Based Systems’ (replacing CS5522); ‘Data Structures and Algorithms’
(replacing CS5524); ‘Human Computer Interaction’ (replacing CS5531);
‘Enterprise Computing’ (replacing CS5528).
Divinity
Introduction
of a new level 5 course: ‘Pastoral Care and Counselling; Diploma in Pastoral
Studies Fieldwork Placement’.
Withdrawal
of the course: DR5536
Introduction
of new level 5 courses: ‘Work-based Project Planning’; Work-based Project
Implementation and Reporting’; Work-based Project 1’; Work–based Project 2’.
Introduction of a new level 5 course: ‘Walter Scott and his
World’.
Geography & Environment
Introduction
of a new level 5 course: ‘Environmental Hydrology’.
Introduction
of a new level 5 course: ‘Scotland and Ireland in the Middle Ages’.
Introduction
of new level 5 courses: ‘Rural Business Management’; ‘Land Economics’;
‘Planning, Policy & Governance’; ‘Appraisal’; ‘Land Use Policy’ (replacing
LE5512); ‘Rural Policy & Practice’ (replacing LE5518); ‘Planning Theory
& Practice’; ‘Plan & Strategy Making’; ‘Contemporary Planning
Challenges’; ‘Land Use Management’ (replacing LE5511 and LE5519); ‘Economic
Development & Regeneration’; ‘Special Study’ (for 2004/05); ‘Urban Property
Development’ (for 2004/05).
Withdrawal
of the courses: LE5009; LE5512.
Law
Introduction
of new level 5 courses: ‘Introduction to Patents’; ‘Trade Marks’; ‘Patent
Procedures’; ‘Copyright, Design and Allied Rights’; ‘A Constitution for
Europe?’; ‘Law for Business’.
Politics & International
Relations
Introduction
of new level 5 courses: ‘Qualitative Research Methodologies in Political
Science/IR’; ‘Quantitative Methodologies in Political Science/IR’.
Introduction
of a new level 5 course: ‘Interior Worlds: Scottish and Irish Migrant Testimony
in the Last Two Centuries’.
(D)
POSTGRADUATE
PROGRAMMES
Business
School
Withdrawal
of programmes: MBA (part-time); MBA (Educational Management)
Withdrawal of MSc/PgCert Occupational Health
Introduction of new programmes; MLE/PgDip; ‘Spatial
Development and Planning’ (for 2004/05); ‘Development and Regeneration’ (for
2004/05).
UNIVERSITY COMMITTEES : REMITS AND COMPOSITIONS
769. The Senate approved, for its part,
amendments to the remits and compositions of a range of committees in the light of the establishment
of Colleges (copy filed with the principal copy of the Minutes).
UNIVERSITY POSTGRADUATE OFFICER
770. The Senate approved the appointment of Ms A-M Slater as a
Postgraduate Officer for Law and a member of the Academic Standards Committee
(Postgraduate) from 1 October 2003 – 31 January 2004 vice Dr H Lardy.
DATES OF TERMS
771. The Senate approved the Dates of Terms for 2004-2005 and,
provisionally, those for the sessions to 2013-2014.
AWARD OF ENDOWED PRIZES AND MEDALS 2002-03
772. The Senate noted that the List of the Award of University
Prizes and Medals for the session 2002-03 was available at
www.abdn.ac.uk/registry/prizes.hti
UNIVERSITY STATISTICAL REPORT 2002-03
772.1 The Senate noted that the
University Statistical Report for 2002-03 was now available and that members
who wished to receive a copy should contact the Senate Office (extension 2039).
772.2 The Senate also noted that any member wishing to raise a matter on
the Report for discussion at the next regular meeting should submit it, in
writing, to the Academic Registrar by 5.00 p.m. on Monday 10 November 2004.
NOVEMBER GRADUATION CEREMONIES
773. The Senate noted the following:-
(i)
that the Honorary
Degree of Doctor of Letters would be conferred on Mr Louis de Bernières and Mr
Callum Innes at a ceremony in the Mitchell Hall on Friday 28 November 2003 at
3.00 p.m. In addition, First and Higher Degrees in Arts & Social Sciences,
Education, Divinity and Medicine would be conferred. Professor Alan Spence
would promote Mr Louis de Bernières and Dr Louise Bourdua would promote Mr
Innes. The Chancellor would
preside. Dr Roberts would deliver the
Graduation Address.
(ii)
that the Honorary
Degree of Master of the University would be conferred on Mr Graham Hunter and
Mr George Ross at a ceremony in the Mitchell Hall on Saturday 29 November 2003
at 11.00 a.m. In addition, First and
Higher Degrees in Science, Engineering and Law would be conferred. Professor Roddy Paisley would promote Mr
Hunter and Mrs Margaret Ross would promote Mr Ross. The Chancellor would preside. Mr Hunter would deliver the
Graduation Address.
GRADUATIONS IN
ABSENTIA
774. Senate noted that copies of the list of those qualified to
receive degrees and diplomas who have applied to had them conferred in absentia may be obtained from the
Senate Office of the Registry. [See Appendix to Minutes of June 2004].
CITY OF ABERDEEN EDUCATIONAL ENDOWMENTS SCHEME
775. The Senate noted that Dr S P Townsend had been appointed as a
Trustee of the City of Aberdeen Educational Endowments Scheme vice Dr Milton.