Curriculum Reform
May 2009 (2)
Resources and risk. In his Foreword to the Commission's Final Report the Principal expressed his commitment to proper resourcing for CREF: 'We will, of course, need to do more work on the resources needed for implementation. I am committed to making sure we have those resources.'
There are fifteen months remaining until September 2010 which is 'a crucial milestone date in our calendar for implementation.' Aware of members' concerns about resources for CREF implementation, AUCU has formally called for the following:
For the JNCC meeting on 4 June: a written statement from the Chair of the Implementation Board and SVP in charge of resource allocation. This statement must contain information on the budget amounts to be allocated to the Colleges and to central administration for CREF implementation.
For the Implementation Board meeting on 2 July:
i. an updated version of the unified timeline for implementation which incorporates dates for decision-making on resourcing and the timing for release of resources; and
ii. a list of ordered spending priorities for CREF implementation which connects those priorities to the recommendations made by each of the IB sub-groups.
External and internal evidence: the need for resources for CREF implementation
May 2009 (1)
Volunteers needed. To date, UCU has had a representative 'in attendance' on the CREF Implementation Board. This role is now vacant and UCU is considering nominations for a new representative.
April 2009
Staff engagement matters. This webpage provides insight into how academic and academic-related colleagues are experiencing the implementation of curriculum reform. There are comments, ideas and queries on a range of issues from timetabling to resources. Also available are the results of the recent UCU e-survey on advising. At the Annual General Meeting (Wednesday 20 May, 1pm in NK10) elections to the local branch executive will be held. Candidates are sought for the role of UCU representative in attendance at meetings of the Implementation Board. Anyone wishing to stand for election should complete and return a Call for Nominations form. Nominations may also be proposed at the AGM. www.abdn.ac.uk/ucu/news/issues/
Aberdeen UCU has received a number of enquiries from colleagues about the investigation into timetabling and review of the teaching day. The update below brings together information from relevant Cref paperwork. Specific guidance on the process is expected to be released by the Cref Project Team later in the year.
Timetabling and review of the teaching day
Background and perspectives on timetabling
Cref comments, ideas and queries
March 2009 (2)
Advising is crucial...
Senate Working Group Report 08-09
Results of UCU e-Survey
The results of the UCU e-survey on advising are made available in two formats here:
- a PDF file with counts and percentages
- an Excel file with the 'raw' data so you can get the free text comments . To view the comments simply click on the cell and the comment will appear at the top of the spreadsheet.
The Aberdeen UCU committee thanks members warmly for taking the time to complete the survey. It is striking to see how many were ready to comment thoughtfully on the current advising system within the University. The survey results provide the kind of feedback we need to improve experiences of academic and pastoral support in the future - for students and for staff.
March 2009 (1)
Advising is crucial to Enhanced Study. The University requires a robust system of academic and pastoral support for its students. UCU believes the financial remuneration and workload allocation for advising must be fair. The local branch will shortly be issuing a questionnaire to obtain members' feedback on the recommendations contained in the Senate working party's report. Given the timeframe for implementing curriculum reform it is vital that the union and management set an early date for negotiating any change to current terms and conditions. UCU is calling for a single issue JNCC meeting in April explicitly to address academic and pastoral support.
February 2009
Implementation hinges on negotiation. From an investigation into timetabling to a review of the Internal Teaching Review, many of the Commission's recommendations have the potential to affect the terms and conditions of employment for academic and related staff of the University on grades 5–9.
Aberdeen UCU knows there is much detailed negotiating work to be done and the recognised forum for those negotiations is the Joint Negotiating and Consultative Committee (JNCC). This formally constituted body serves as the main platform for the exchange of views between academic and related staff on grades 5–9 and the University Court.
About the Joint Negotiating and Consultative Committee
Members' letters on curriculum reform, Agora November 2008
Minutes of the AUCU General Meeting on Curriculum Reform 22 October 2008 with UCU national officials in attendance
Motion on Curriculum Reform - AUCU Annual General Meeting 22 October 2008
AUCU notes and welcomes the initiative shown by the University of Aberdeen in focussing attention on teaching and learning through the Curriculum Reform Project. In response to the Commission's efforts to consult widely and regularly on its published reports, AUCU committee posted questions on the Discussion Forum which reflect members' concerns. The Commission's reply to those questions, and the release of the Final Report, mean that the local branch now makes a formal request for official AUCU representation on the Implementation Board. AUCU is deeply concerned by the silence in the Final Report on the workload implications and financial risks of the Commission's recommendations. It calls on Senate to ensure the application of effective project planning, including resource scheduling methods, to the Curriculum Reform Project. The pedagogic consequences of the Project need to be weighed carefully when the Senate decides whether or not to implement the Commission's recommendations.
AUCU questions on the Discussion Forum plus responses agreed by the Curriculum Commission, 8 October 2008
'The long hours culture and why it's a bad thing - a personal position' by Adam Price
AUCU paper on curriculum reform, JNCC meeting 24 September 2008
Letter to AUCU members, 28 August 2008
Motion on Curriculum Reform - AUCU General Meeting 16 May 2007
Aberdeen UCU notes with interest the announcement of a proposed curriculum reform at the University of Aberdeen to follow the RAE 2008. We welcome this indication of renewed attention to teaching and learning practices at the university. Further information on the rationale for introducing such reform, as well as its envisaged scope, nature, and consequences, must be made public.
At this early stage of discussion we call for:
- a binding commitment to sustained university-wide consultation about the proposed curriculum reform. Consultation must be conducted in an open, transparent manner enabling staff and students to engage in genuine dialogue about what the University of Aberdeen offers in terms of its teaching.
- recognition of the need for university management, Aberdeen UCU, and other relevant trade unions to negotiate staff workloads. Academics and support staff will face additional pressure on their time in redesigning teaching and learning programmes. Any plan or timetable for implementing the proposed curriculum reform must be scrutinised by trade union representatives to ensure feasibility and fairness.
'The Melbourne Model for Aberdeen?' by Elizabeth Macknight