UNIVERSITY OF ESSEX

SENATE

11 DECEMBER 2002

(1.00 pm – 2.35 pm)

MINUTES

Unreserved Business

Present:	Vice-Chancellor (in the Chair), Professor Atkinson, Mr Bailey, Professor Benton, Ms Brennan, Professor Busfield, Mr Butler, Ms Cardew, Professor Colbeck, Dr Cox, Ms Crimp, Ms Derby, Professor Dowden, Professor Downton, Mr Emery, Ms Essex, Professor Fernandez, Professor Foweraker, Dr Fox, Professor Fraser, Professor Gilbert, Ms Heath, Professor Higgins, Professor Hu, Professor Hulme, Mr Jones, Dr Krikler, Ms Lee, Ms Lockmun, Mr Lyons, Mr Mack, Dr Mackenzie, Professor Massara, Mr McAuley, Ms McKenzie, Dr Michalowski, Professor Morris, Professor Muthoo, Professor Neary, Professor Nedwell, Dr Norval, Professor Oliver, Mr Ong, Mr Oughton, Ms Parmenter, Dr Raines, Professor Richmond, Dr Rockett, Dr Rowlands, Dr Scarbrough, Professor Scott, Professor Sherer, Professor Sikka, Professor South, Mrs Statham, Dr Steel, Ms Tarrant, Mr Tee, Dr Upton, Dr Venn, Mr Vinall, Mr Watt, Mr Whittle, Professor Wright

In Attendance:	Registrar and Secretary, Academic Registrar, Planning Officer, Ms Tallentire

By Invitation:	Dr Cumbus

Apologies:	Professor Alder, Dr Brewis, Professor Chambers, Professor Coakley, Professor Hanley, Mr Henson, Mr Manson, Dr Samson, Professor Schürer, Dr Sellens, Dr Swift, Professor Temple,

WELCOME

 235/02
The Vice-Chancellor welcomed new members to their first meeting of the Senate.

MINUTES

 236/02
The Minutes of the meeting held on 12 June 2002 were approved as a correct record, subject to the following amendments:

 237/02
(a)	the deletion of Professor Anthony Holt from the list of those present at the meeting;

 238/02
(b)	the correction of M.145/02 to state 2003/04 and not 2003/03.

BUSINESS TAKEN WITHOUT DISCUSSION

 239/02
(a)	In accordance with Standing Orders, para 7, the Senate noted the following items starred for discussion:

Agenda item 6(a)	Academic Standards Committee
- MM.190-193/02  Approval of
  Programme Specifications
	
Agenda item 6(d)	Equal Opportunities Steering Group
- Equal Opportunities Compliance Notice to
  Visitors
	
Agenda item 8(a)	Disciplinary and Membership Panel
- Rewards for Students
	
Agenda item 9(a)	Financial Statements 2001/02
- Investment Performance
	
 240/02
(b)	The remaining items were deemed to have been approved without discussion.

FORMAL BUSINESS (S/02/46)

 241/02
RESOLVED:	that items of Formal Business be approved as set out in Appendix A.

MATTERS ARISING FROM MINUTES

MSc by Dissertation in Telecommunications (M.29/02,20.3.02)

 242/02
The Senate noted that, although it had given approval, subject to some conditions being met, to the introduction of the MSc by Dissertation in Telecommunications to be delivered in collaboration with Etisalat College of Engineering in the United Arab Emirates, this degree scheme had not been established

VICE CHANCELLOR’S STATEMENT

Department of Mathematics

 243/02
The Vice-Chancellor reported that the Committee established by the Senate in June 2002 to provide a recovery plan for the Department of Mathematics had reported to Budget Sub-Committee in November.  Although Budget Sub-Committee felt unable to give unqualified support to the plan as it stood, it believed that the plan included many of the required elements to make it viable.  Budget Sub-Committee felt that, with some additional work, a revised plan could be produced that was likely to be supported by the Department of Mathematics, the Heads of other departments closely associated with Mathematics, and Budget Sub-Committee.  However, the required additional work could not be completed in time for report to the December 2002 Senate, and the Vice-Chancellor had therefore agreed to postpone consideration of the report to March 2003.

University’s Financial Position

 244/02
The Vice-Chancellor reminded the Senate of the University’s aim to generate a £2m annual surplus, which was needed to maintain existing facilities to support its high quality teaching and research and to build and develop new facilities and buildings.  The disappointing surplus of just under £1.5m in 2001/02 had resulted mainly from poor home/EU student recruitment and the consequent clawback of funds by the Funding Council.  However, the forecast surplus for 2002/03 was £3.28m, primarily because of exceptionally good recruitment of overseas students and better than expected recruitment of home/EU undergraduates, which had resulted in the return of some of the Funding Council’s clawback in 2001/02.

 245/02
The forecast surplus of £0.9m for 2003/04 was well below the University’s annual target.  This was mainly because of the additional costs, especially staffing costs, generated by increased student numbers, as well as cautious budgeting for a potential drop in student recruitment and for static QR income, given that the research funding arrangements following the 2001 RAE had not yet been finalised.  Further unknowns affected the 2003/04 budget, not least the potential for war in the Middle East, and the lack of information about the 2003/04 funding settlement.  Nevertheless, the 2003/04 budget might prove to be too pessimistic;  the trend in student recruitment was repeating the previous year’s pattern, with substantial increases in a variety of subjects covering the spectrum offered by the University.  Only home/EU postgraduate applications continued to decline.

Capital Building Programme

 246/02
The moratorium placed on the capital building programme in 2001/02 had been lifted in the light of the current and medium-term financial position, though Finance and Strategy Committee advised continuing caution.  In order to meet the need for more space, particularly teaching and office space, Council would be asked at its meeting in January 2003 to consider funding the following new projects:

 247/02
•	a new lecture theatre, with flexible capacity for large numbers up to 900;
•	the next phase for refurbishment of the Lecture Theatre Building;
•	the conversion of the John Tabor Laboratories to teaching space to support the Centre for Lifelong Learning and Continuing Professional Development (CPD) activities;
•	the purchase of an additional building in Loughton for teaching students at East 15, where there was potential for considerable growth.

 248/02
The Vice-Chancellor provided the following update on the existing capital building programme:

•	Building 2001 had been completed in summer 2002, allowing moves for AFM, History  and, as a consequence, Language and Linguistics;
•	the extension to the Biological Sciences building on Square 3, which would free up the John Tabor Laboratories, was due for completion in April 2003;
•	work on the Networks Centre Building opposite the Psychology Building on Square 1, was due to begin in February 2003 and expected to be completed in April 2004;
•	the University Quays project, which would provide 774 study bedrooms, and included a pedestrian and cycle bridge over the railway line, was expected to be complete by October 2003;
•	work had begun on a new flagship building for Sough East Essex College (SEEC) in the centre of Southend and was due for completion in Summer 2004.  This would provide facilities for higher education students taking University of Essex degrees in Southend and growth in HE student numbers at SEEC would contribute to the University’s and the College’s combined efforts to meet the Government’s widening participation targets.  Although owned by the College, the new building was being funded in part by the University and would, in due course, provide space for dedicated University activities;
•	while the new SEEC building was under construction, the University had established its headquarters in Southend at Princess Caroline House.  This provided a base for the New Technology Institute, Access courses, CPD and lifelong learning activities, as well as for research, training and innovation services for local businesses.

Government Spending Review

 249/02
The Government Spending Review for 2003 – 2006 had been published in July 2002, but had excluded higher education funding; a supplementary paper on this would be published in January 2003. The outcome for science, which covered the funding of research, was the most positive for universities for some time, amounting to an additional £1.25 billion per year by 2005/06.  The increase in funding included:

 250/02
•	recurrent capital funding, which if allocated on a formula basis, would result in an allocation of at least £5m to the University in the 2004/06 round of research infrastructure funding;
•	the probable full funding of the 2001 RAE, which would give the University additional funds of £1.7m per year;
•	the funding of the true costs of research projects funded by the Research Councils, which would make it advisable for the University to maximise research income from the Research Councils;
•	1000 additional post-doctoral research fellowships;
•	a minimum untaxed stipend of £12k for research students.

 251/02
Although the outcome of the Spending Review for higher education would not be known until January 2003, when the Government published its strategic review, there had been considerable media speculation about the outcomes, especially in relation to student funding and the consequent impact on institutional funding.  The Vice-Chancellor believed that the media coverage had been speculative and, for the most part, uninformed. The Government continued to be divided on the matter of higher education funding, in view of the conflicting objectives it was trying to meet, the complexity of the issue, and the electoral risks attached to increasing the cost of higher education to taxpayers, parents and students.  Given the current uncertainty, the University had not taken a formal position on the issue of higher education funding, but there would be an opportunity to discuss the matter at Council in January 2003 and Senate in March 2003.  Nevertheless, the Vice-Chancellor believed that the extensive public debate about higher education had been beneficial to the sector. The Government had acknowledged publicly that higher education was under-funded and the Spending Review was therefore unlikely to recommend the status quo, nor was it likely to recommend full-cost fee de-regulation with the removal of funding by means of the Funding Council block grant. The Vice-Chancellor believed that the most likely outcome would be a hybrid, compromise set of proposals including:

 252/02
•	the restoration of modest maintenance grants for low-income families; 
•	a modest increase in the current means-tested fee; 
•	the phasing in of limited fee de-regulation after the next election; 
•	the introduction of a graduate tax or of a deferred, income-contingent loan system; 
•	the abolition of the current publicly-subsidised loans system; and 
•	some real increase in public expenditure on higher education. 

 253/02
The Vice-Chancellor did not support the introduction of top-up fees but, together with the majority of 94 Group and Russell Group members, he favoured the introduction of a version of the Australian system, namely:

 254/02
•	phased in fee de-regulation; 
•	the abolition of compulsory up-front tuition fee payments; 
•	payment of fees by students, not parents, after graduation; 
•	loans to cover the full cost of fees and maintenance, to be re-paid on an income-contingent basis through the tax system; 
•	the abolition of the public subsidy of loan interest rates.

 255/02
The Government strategy review was expected to cover a range of areas other than funding, including greater incentives for universities to specialise more, e.g. on research or widening participation; increased pressure to widen participation; the abolition of degree classes; the professionalisation of University teaching, with all teachers required to have teaching qualifications; and an increase in salaries, but only in exchange for the introduction of reform, including more performance-related pay.

 256/02
Responding to questions, the Vice-Chancellor confirmed that, while the University had not submitted individual comments to the Government on its strategic review, Universities UK (UUK) had responded to a DfES consultation paper.  UUK had emphasised the importance of university autonomy and drawn Government attention to the fact that higher education should not be regarded simply as a personal, economic investment on the part of the individual, but also generated a wide range of social and civic benefits.  Concern was expressed about the contradiction between the Government’s strategy to widen participation and the apparent intention to shift the costs of higher education from general taxation to students and their families.  However, it was noted that UUK lobbying for the funding of higher education from general taxation would be unrealistic, given that this approach was not supported by any political party.

Accommodation for Growth

 257/02
The Senate discussed the measures that would need to be taken to manage growth in student numbers within existing space constraints.  Some additional space was expected to become available in October 2004, but in the meantime it would be essential to make better use of rooms during the full teaching week.  The extension of the teaching week to include routine teaching up to 7 pm and on Saturday mornings might need to be considered, although this would require extensive consultation and the availability of appropriate support facilities.  These issues were being considered as part of a project to implement new timetabling software and detailed consultation with Heads of Department would be initiated in the Spring term.

REPORT OF ACADEMIC STANDARDS COMMITTEE (10.7.02, 20.11.02) 
(S/02/47, Supplementary Agenda Paper)

Report of Qualifications Framework Steering Group

Re-definition of Undergraduate Credits

RESOLVED:

 258/02
a)	that University credits at undergraduate level should be renamed workload credits with effect from October 2002; 

 259/02
b)	that a revised definition of the University’s credit system at undergraduate level should be introduced from October 2002, as follows (new wording underlined, old wording in square brackets): 

‘Each undergraduate course is assigned a number of workload credits, which indicate the proportion of the academic year’s work that is devoted to the course.  Courses are normally assigned either 30 credits (full-years courses) or 15 credits (half-year courses).  For undergraduate students the academic year consists of 120 [-135] credits (except where ASC has approved a specific variation).  Thus a standard three-year undergraduate degree consists of 360 [-450] credits and a standard four-year degree consists of 480 [-540] credits. [For taught Masters students a full-time academic year consists of 180-210 credits.]  To calculate the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits, the University of Essex credit for each course should be divided by two.’

Programme Specifications

 260/02
Concern was expressed about the approval process for programme specifications, which included scrutiny by a School Board sub-committee after extensive and detailed work had already taken place in departments on the development and writing of programme specifications.  It was acknowledged that while programme specifications were being introduced, the workload associated with approval, in particular by the School sub-committees, would be greater than once they were fully established.  There was general agreement that, while departmental representation on University committees was essential, they should operate as efficiently and effectively as possible.

 261/02
The Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Academic Standards) agreed to investigate a further concern expressed about the representation of key skills in the programme specifications database.
 
Periodic Review Reports

Department of Language and Linguistics: Linguistics Schemes

RESOLVED:	

 262/02
that the BA Modern Language and Linguistics and the BA Linguistics and Literature be discontinued with effect from October 2003.

Report of Quality Enhancement Group

Online Course Catalogue

RESOLVED:	

 263/02
that departments be required to maintain up-to-date and complete entries of their courses in the On-line Course Catalogue. 

Programme Specifications

RESOLVED    

 264/02
 (a)	that draft programme specifications all single honours undergraduate schemes should be submitted for approval by the end of Christmas vacation 2002 (previously specifications were to be drafted by October 2002).

 265/02
(b)	that draft programme specifications for taught postgraduate and undergraduate joint schemes should be submitted for approval by the end of the Easter vacation 2003 (previously October 2003).

Appeals Procedures

RESOLVED:    

 266/02
(a)	that the Appeals Procedure for taught course students wishing to appeal against the decision of a Progress Committee be amended by the addition of the following paragraphs: 

 267/02
m.  Any appeal following the formal conclusion of the appeals procedures set out above may be made on the grounds of procedural irregularities in the appeals process only.  A student who wishes to appeal against the outcome of these procedures should write to the Academic Registrar within four weeks setting out in detail the nature of the evidence to support the claim that there were procedural irregularities in the appeals process.  If prima facie there is evidence to support the claim then the case will be reviewed by an alternate Pro-Vice Chancellor.  If the Pro-Vice-Chancellor determines that there were procedural irregularities in the appeals process then the case will be referred to an appeals panel for consideration, and paragraphs g—l above will apply.  The panel would be comprised of academic staff with no previous involvement in the case and would be chaired by an appropriate member of senior academic staff.

 268/02
 n.  In certain circumstances it may be possible for a student to take a complaint to the University Visitor, who is a senior judge appointed by the Privy Council.  The Visitor will only hear an appeal if all possible procedures within the University for obtaining relief have been exhausted.  A student who is considering making a submission to the Visitor is encouraged to consult the Students Union Advice Centre and should contact the Registrar & Secretary to ensure that he or she follows the correct procedure.

 269/02
(b)	that the Appeals Procedure for taught course students wishing to appeal against progress decisions taken by boards of examiners be amended by the addition of the following paragraphs: 

 270/02
Any appeal following the formal conclusion of the appeals procedures set out above may be made on the grounds of procedural irregularities in the appeals process only.  A student who wishes to appeal against the outcome of these procedures should write to the Academic Registrar within four weeks setting out in detail the nature of the evidence to support the claim that there were procedural irregularities in the appeals process.  If prima facie there is evidence to support the claim then the case will be reviewed by the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Academic Standards).  If the Pro-Vice-Chancellor determines that there were procedural irregularities in the appeals process then the case will be referred to an appeals committee for consideration, and paragraphs d i—iv above will apply.   

 271/02
In certain circumstances it may be possible for a student to take a complaint to the University Visitor, who is a senior judge appointed by the Privy Council.  The Visitor will only hear an appeal if all possible procedures within the University for obtaining relief have been exhausted.  A student who is considering making a submission to the Visitor is encouraged 	to consult the Students Union Advice Centre and should contact the Registrar & Secretary to ensure that he or she follows the correct procedure.

 272/02
(c)	that the Appeals Procedure for taught course students wishing to appeal against decisions of Academic Offences Committees of Appeal be amended by the addition of the following paragraphs: 

 273/02
F.9.  Any appeal following the formal conclusion of the appeals procedures set out above may be made on the grounds of procedural irregularities in the appeals process only.  A student who wishes to appeal against the outcome of these procedures should write to the Academic Registrar within four weeks setting out in detail the nature of the evidence to support the claim that there were procedural irregularities in the appeals process.  If prima facie there is evidence to support the claim then the case will be reviewed by an alternate Pro-Vice Chancellor.  If the Pro-Vice-Chancellor determines that there were procedural irregularities in the appeals process then the case will be referred to an appeals committee for consideration, and paragraphs F4-F8 above will apply.   

 274/02
F.10  In certain circumstances it may be possible for a student to take a complaint to the University Visitor, who is a senior judge appointed by the Privy Council.  The Visitor will only hear an appeal if all possible procedures within the University for obtaining relief have been exhausted.  A student who is considering making a submission to the Visitor is encouraged to consult the Students Union Advice Centre and should contact the Registrar & Secretary to ensure that he or she follows the correct procedure.

Sub-Degree Framework

 275/02
The Senate noted the recommendation of Academic Standards Committee that the University of Essex Sub-Degree Framework be approved in order that University of Essex departments or centres wishing to offer sub-degree awards may adopt the framework in part or whole. (See M.284/02) 

REPORT OF INFORMATION SYSTEMS STRATEGY COMMITTEE (6.11.02) (S/02/48)

Annual IS Strategy Progress Report 2001/02

RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL:

 276/02
	that the Annual IS Strategy Progress Report 2001/02 be accepted.

IS Strategy January 2003

RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL:

 277/02
	that the IS Strategy January 2003 be approved as set out in Appendix A to the report of the IS Strategy Committee (6.11.02).

Electronic Information Security Policy

RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL:

 278/02
	that the Electronic Information Security Policy be approved as set out in Appendix B to the report of the IS Strategy Committee (6.11.02).

REPORT OF BOARD OF STUDIES FOR COLLABORATIVE EDUCATION (13.11.02)) (S.02/49)

Outline Approval for Publicity Purposes

RESOLVED:

 279/02
that the following degree schemes be given outline approval for publicity purposes:

(a)	MSc in Animal Biology and Welfare at Writtle College;

(b)	BSc (Hons) and FdSc in Sports Studies at Writtle College, subject to the Dean of Collaborative Education approving the proposed degree title on behalf of the Board following consultation with relevant staff at Writtle College, the University and South East Essex College;

(c)	BA (Hons) in Social and Education Studies, subject to the Dean of Collaborative Education approving the proposed degree title on behalf of the Board, following appropriate consultation between the College and the University.	

Rules of Assessment and Mid-year Boards at South East Essex College

RESOLVED:

 280/02
(a)	that Partnership degree schemes validated during the 2001-2002 academic year be assessed according to the current University of Essex Rules of Assessment for South East Essex College Partnership degrees;

 281/02
(b)	that the amended Rules of Assessment for the one-year BA Music Production Ordinary degree, as noted by the Board in Paper BCE/02/40, be approved for use in 2002-2003;

 282/02
(c)	that the system whereby Mid-year Boards at South East Essex College monitor student progress and performance be replaced forthwith by a system under which the College’s HE School Boards and HE Board of Studies undertake this responsibility;

 283/02
(d)	that a Task Group be set up to review the Rules of Assessment for University of Essex degrees delivered at South East Essex College for the next academic year.

Report of Working Party on a University of Essex Sub-Degree Framework

RESOLVED:

 284/02
(a)	that the sub-degree framework set out in Appendix A to the report of the Board of Studies for Collaborative Education (13.11.02) be adopted by the University with effect from January 2003;

 285/02
(b)	that the Working Party on the Sub-Degree Framework be re-convened in Spring 2003 to consider qualifications giving entry to the University’s sub-degree awards.

Re-Validation of FdSc Land-based Studies at Writtle College

RESOLVED:

 286/02
that the validation period for the Foundation degree in Land-Based Studies at Writtle College be extended by one year to cover the academic year 2002-2003 and that re-validation (periodic review) of this programme take place in 2003-2004.

REPORT OF EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES STEERING GROUP (23.10.02) (S/02/50)

 287/02
The Academic Registrar agreed to circulate to Senate members Appendix B to the report of the Equal Opportunities Steering Group, which had been omitted from the agenda papers in error.

Review Committee on Student Discipline

RESOLVED:

 288/02
that the recommendations in the report of the Review Committee on Student Discipline set out in Appendix A to the report of Equal Opportunities Steering Group (23.10.02) be approved.

REPORT OF LIFELONG LEARNING BOARD OF STUDIES (12.11.02) (S/02/51)

Membership and Terms of Reference

RESOLVED:

 289/02
(a)	that Mr Martin Henson and Dr Max Roberts be deleted from membership of the Lifelong Learning Board of Studies from November 2002.

 290/02
(b)	that the terms of reference of the Lifelong Learning Board of Studies be amended as follows.

 291/02
To be responsible for quality assurance matters relating to academic work of the Centre for Lifelong Learning including:

(i)	approval of course syllabuses
(ii)	monitoring and approval of assessment procedures
(iii)	monitoring and approval of procedures for the appointment of course tutors, subject directors and external examiners
(iv)	award of University Lifelong Learning Certificates

The Board will report to Senate

University of Essex Foundation Certificate

RESOLVED

 292/02
	that the following award be approved for introduction from January 2003.

	University of Essex Foundation Certificate

REPORT  OF CENTRES REVIEW COMMITTEE (14.11.02) (S/02/02)

Essex Biomedical Science Institute (EBSI)

RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL:

 293/02
that the Essex Biomedical Science Institute be established as a new Centre of the University, under the directorship of Professor John Norton, with effect from 1 January 2003.

REPORT OF THE BOARD OF THE GRADUATE SCHOOL (11.11.02) (S/02/53)

Approval of New Degree Schemes

RESOLVED:

 294/02
	that the following new degree schemes be approved for introduction in January 2003:

	Diploma in Literature
Diploma in Physics of Laser Communication 
Professional Doctorate in Health Visiting (Public Health) leading to D Health Visiting (Public Health)
	Professional Doctorate in Public Health leading to D Public Health

Discontinuation of Degree Schemes

RESOLVED:

 295/02
that discontinuation of the following degree scheme, previously approved by the Senate effective from October 2002, be deferred until October 2003:

Doctoral Programme in Computer Science

Changes of Degree Scheme Titles

RESOLVED:

 296/02
a)	that the following change of degree scheme title be approved with immediate effect:

		from: 	PhD (Doctoral Programme) Financial Studies	
to: 	PhD (Doctoral Programme) Computational Finance
	
 297/02
b)	that the following change of degree scheme title be approved from October 2003:

		from: 	MA in Modern Art 	
		to: 	MA in Modern Art: Painting and its Discontents
		from:	MA in History and Theory of Architecture
		to:	MA in Architectural History:  City and Country

REPORT OF THE BOARD OF THE SCHOOL OF HUMANITIES AND COMPARATIVE STUDIES (6.11.02, S/02/54)

Approval of New Degree Schemes

RESOLVED:

 298/02
	that the following new degree schemes be approved for introduction in October 2003:

BA European Studies: Culture and Society
BA French with Film Studies
BA Drama and Modern Languages

Discontinuation of Degree Schemes

RESOLVED:

 299/02
	that the following degree schemes be discontinued with effect from October 2003:

	BA History and History of Art (part-time)
	BA Philosophy and History of Art (part-time)
	BA European Culture
	BA European Culture and Society

Department of Literature – Proposed Change of Name
RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL:
 300/02
that the Department of Literature should be re-named the Department of Literature, Film, and Theatre Studies, with effect from 1 August 2003.

REPORT OF THE BOARD OF THE SCHOOL OF SOCIAL SCIENCES

Approval of New Degree Schemes

RESOLVED:

 301/02
that the following new degree schemes be approved for introduction in October 2003:

BA English Language 
BA English Language and English Language Teaching 
BA Language Acquisition and Disorders
BA Linguistic Studies 
BA Modern Languages and Linguistic Studies
BA Modern Languages with French Studies/German Studies/Italian Studies/Portuguese Studies/Spanish Studies
BA French Studies: Contemporary Language, Society, Culture and Film
BSc Management and Mathematics 
BSc Management with Mathematics
	BA Economics with Italian 
	BSc Health Science and Health Psychology 

Discontinuation of Degree Schemes 

RESOLVED:

 302/02
	that the following degree schemes be discontinued with effect from October 2003

	BSc Mathematics and/with Modern Languages 
BSc English Language and Mathematics 
	BSc Mathematics with Economics 

Changes of Degree Scheme Titles

RESOLVED:

 303/02
that the following change of degree scheme titles be approved with effect from October 2003: 

from 	BSc Mathematics and Finance 
to:	BSc Finance and Mathematics 

from:	BSc Mathematics and Accounting
to:	BSc Accounting and Mathematics 

from:	BSc Statistics and Economics 
to:	BSc Economics and Mathematics 

from:	BA Language Communication and IT 
to:	BA Language and Communication 

from:	BA European Society 
to:	BA European Studies with French/German/Spanish/Italian  

REPORT OF THE BOARD OF THE SCHOOL OF SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING (6.11.02, S/02/56)

Discontinuation of Degree Schemes

RESOLVED:

 304/02
that the following degree schemes be discontinued with effect from October 2003

BSc Mathematics and Operational Research
BSc Mathematics and Statistics

Changes of Degree Scheme Titles

RESOLVED:

 305/02
(a)	that the following change of degree scheme title be approved with effect from October 2003:

from:	BSc Mathematics and Computing
to:	BSc Computing and Mathematics

 306/02
(b)	that the following changes of degree scheme title be approved with effect from October 2004:

from:	BSc Computer Science (E-Commerce)
to:	BSc Computer Science (Internet Technology)

from:	BSc Computer Science (Robotics and Intelligent Machines)
to:	BSc Computer Science (Embedded Systems and Robotics)

REPORT OF THE DISCIPLINARY AND MEMBERSHIP PANEL (S/02/57)

Rewards for Students

 307/02
Members of the Senate, including student representatives, expressed concern about the proposal to reward students who had contributed to the resolution of a disciplinary case, on the grounds that this  mechanism could be open to abuse.  The Academic Registrar agreed to report this view to the Disciplinary and Membership Panel and expected that the proposal would be withdrawn.

REPORT OF THE LEARNING AND TEACHING COMMITTEE (S/02/58)

 308/02
Noted.

REPORT OF THE FINANCE AND STRATEGY COMMITTEE

(a)	Financial Statements 2001/02 (S/02/59)

Investment Performance

 309/02
The University’s investment strategy was determined by the Council, in light of recommendations from the Investment and Loans Sub-Committee, which included lay members of Council with professional experience in investment matters, and reported via the Finance and Strategy Committee.  Although the current policy was to be less conservative than in the past, it was acknowledged that purchase of zero–dividend preference shares from a particular fund had been misjudged and had resulted in a considerable loss to the University.  The potential for obtaining compensation for this loss had been explored, but it was not expected to be realised.

(b)	Supplement to Financial Statements 2001/02 (S/02/60)

 310/02
Noted.

(c)	Latest Budgetary Situation 2002/03 and Financial Forecasts for 2003/04 (S/02/61)

 311/02
Noted.

STUDENT NUMBERS 2002/03 (S/02/62)

 312/02
Noted.

STAFF APPOINTMENTS (S/02/63)

 313/02
Noted.

Joanne Tallentire
Senior Assistant Registrar
13 January 2003

U:\Joannes docs\Senate\Senate\Senate December 2002\m-111202u.doc