UNIVERSITY OF EAST ANGLIA AND UNIVERSITY OF ESSEX
UNIVERSITY CAMPUS SUFFOLK JOINT ACADEMIC COMMITTEE
29 May 2012
MINUTES
Chair / Erica TownerPresent / Mr Phillip Belden, Dr Campbell, Dr Cavenagh, Dr Dewing,Ms Dobson,CatherineForsdike,JaneGamble,ProfessorGazzard, Chrissie Harrington, Dr Lyne, Ms Mackness, Denis McAuley, Professor Norris, Dr Pevalin,Ms Rhodes, Professor Saks,Mr Thirkettle,DrWatkins, ProfessorWeir,Mr Wright
Apologies / Ms Carter; Professor Collier; Dr Cox; Professor Lattimer; Mr Lister; Professor Noble; Ms Smith; Ms Walters; Professor Wright
Secretary / Stephen Knock
In attendance / Ms Fisk; Ms Frost; Ms Nixon; Mrs Spencer; Mrs Walker
MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING
The minutes of the meeting held on 7 March 2012 were agreed to be an accurate record of proceedings. / 48/12
MATTERS ARISING
Minute12/04–furtherto thepositiveoutcome fromthe GSCCriskassessmentexerciseatUCS,ameetingwould be takingplacebetweenSocialWork teamsatUCSand UEA. / 49/12
Minute12/32–itwasconfirmedthatProfessorNoelSmithhadbeenappointedtothe positionofHeadofSchoolofSocialPolicyandSocial WorkandProfessorSimon Hallsworthto thepositionofHeadofSchool Applied SocialSciences.ThreeHeadsof Divisionwerecurrently beingrecruited,onetoScience,Technology andHealthandtwoto Business, Leadership and Enterprise. Therecruitment process was also currently underwayfortheposition ofHead ofHuman Resources. / 50/12
AtUEA,ProfessorTom Ward,Pro-Vice-Chancellor(Academic)wouldbeleavingthe University.ProfessorNigelNorrishadagreed totakeontheroleofactingPro-Vice- Chancelloruntilasubstantiveappointmentwasmade.ProfessorNorriswouldalsobe taking overastheUEA JointChairofJAC. / 51/12
CHAIRS’ REPORT
MembersnotedarangeofitemsforinformationasoutlinedinPaperJAC/12/36.Of particularnotewas the successful applicationtothe QAAforsubscriber statusfor UCS. / 52/12
UCS IPSWICH INSTITUTIONAL REVIEW REPORT (PAPER JAC/12/37)
Members received the report on the institutional review of UCS Ipswich, which had taken place on 10-11 May 2012. Staff at UCS Ipswich felt that the review had been a positive exercise that had identified useful outcomes and, pleasingly, a number of commendations. Thanks were given to the review panel and everyone involved in the review, especially Dr Mark Lyne and his team for the production of the documentation. / 53/12
It was recommended to the Senates of both validating universities that UCS Ipswich be reapproved as a partner institution of the University of East Anglia and the University of Essex for a period of five years commencing September 2012, subject to the requirements and recommendations in the institutional review report. / 54/12
UPDATE ON RESPONSE TO UCS BURY ST EDMUNDS INSTITUTIONAL REVIEW CONDITION AND RECOMMENDATIONS (PAPER JAC/12/38)
Members received an updated action plan in response to the conditions and recommendations of the institutional review of UCS Bury St Edmunds. It was noted that the strong links with industry, which was identified as a commendation during the review, had also been identified in the IQER report. / 55/12
Members agreed that progress would be monitored at the next meeting. / 56/12
UPDATE ON RESPONSE TO UCS GREAT YARMOUTH INSTITUTIONAL REVIEW CONDITIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS (PAPER JAC/12/39)
Members received an updated action plan in response to the conditions and recommendations of the institutional review of UCS Great Yarmouth. It was noted that there had been a delay in completing some items identified in the action plan and this would initially be monitored at a review group at the college before being reported to JAC at the next meeting. UCS Great Yarmouth was currently advertising for the position of Vice-Principal with responsibility for HE which would be a welcome addition to the College. / 57/12
Members agreed that progress would be monitored at the next meeting. / 58/12
UPDATEON RESPONSE TO UCS LOWESTOFT INSTITUTIONAL REVIEW CONDITIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS (PAPER JAC/12/40)
Members received an updated action plan in response to the conditions and recommendations of the institutional review of UCS Lowestoft. Particular progress had been made towards strengthening the HE Forum. / 59/12
Members agreed that progress would be monitored at the next meeting. / 60/12
UPDATE ON UCS OTLEY INSTITUTIONAL REVIEW AND NSS ACTION PLAN (VERBAL UPDATE)
It was reported that the College had submitted a response to the detailed action plan produced from the institutional review and the subsequent follow-up visit. A decision on institutional reapproval would be made via Chairs’ Action in June 2012 following the outcomes of the IQER SR event taking place at the College on 30-31 May 2012. An update would be provided at the next meeting. / 61/12
The NSS action plan had been updated to reflect current progress. The NSS response rate within UCS Otley was 90.5%, significantly higher than the previous year. The ISS survey results were largely positive and it was hoped that this improvement would also be seen in the NSS results once available. / 62/12
UPDATE ON THE PROPOSED MERGER OF EASTON COLLEGE AND OTLEY COLLEGE (VERBAL UPDATE)
Itwasreportedthat,followingthepublicationofthereportonthestatutorypublic consultation on the proposed merger of Easton College and Otley College, the final proposal had been submitted by the colleges to the Secretary of State. An Order would be laid by the Secretary of State in parliament for the Establishment of the new Corporation. / 63/12
Members were informed that it was still the intention that higher education provision at Otley would remain within UCS and HE provision at Easton would continue to be validated solely by UEA. HE provision at both institutions was complementary which facilitated this approach. / 64/12
A Shadow Board of Governors had been established and David Lawrence had been appointed as the Principal designate for the merged institution. Two Heads of HE positions would exist in the new structure, one at each of the college sites. It was still the aim that the new merged institution would be established on 1 August 2012. An update would be provided at the next meeting. / 65/12
UPDATE ON HNC/D DEVELOPMENTS WITHIN UCS LEARNING NETWORK CENTRES (VERBAL UPDATE)
It was reported that two centres (UCS Bury St Edmunds and UCS Lowestoft) would deliver a limited number of ‘off-the-shelf’ HNC programmes via Edexcel from 2012-13, with accreditationviathecollegebututilisingUCSstudentnumbersandinresponseto employer demand. A meeting was due to take place following the JAC meeting to discuss the proposals from UCS Bury St Edmunds in more detail. / 66/12UPDATE ON INTERNAL STUDENT SURVEY OUTCOMES (PAPER JAC/12/41 )AND NATIONAL STUDENT SURVEY 2012 RESPONSE RATES (PAPER JAC/12/42)
It was reported that the NSS response rate for UCS overall was up 7% on last year. The Internal Student Survey (ISS), piloted last year, had seen a dramatic increase in response rate to approximately 30%. This represented around 1400 responses which gave UCS valuable insight into the views of current students. Two areas of concern identified in last year’sNSSresults(theOverallSatisfactionscoresforUCSOtleyandSuffolkNew College) had seen considerable improvements in the ISS results for this year. It was hoped that this improvement would also be seen in the NSS results. The new NSS question relating to the Students’ Union had been included in the ISS, however no comparison could be made until the NSS results were published. / 67/12Members were also informed that a staff survey had been conducted by Capita. The resultsforUCScomparedfavourablywiththoseforthesectorwiththemajorityof responses being above the national average. / 68/12
RECRUITMENT UPDATE (PAPER JAC/12/43)
Members received an update on recruitment for the 2012-13 academic year. UCAS applications across UCS were down by 20%. UCS Lowestoft had seen a 15% increase in applications while all other centres had seen a drop in applications. Nationally UCAS applications were down by 7%. / 69/122011 had been an exceptional year with students trying to gain a place before the fee increase and a comparison against the 2010 situation was considered to be a more reliable indicator of success. The firm acceptance of a conditional offer figure was up 5% on the acceptance rate of 2010. Firm acceptance of an unconditional offer conversion was below that of last year which was mirrored nationally. / 70/12
The summer recruitment campaign had been agreed and a TV advert was currently being produced which was expected to be aired mid-June. / 71/12
MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING FOR EXTERNAL RELATIONSHIPS (PAPER JAC/12/44)
It was reported that following an increase in international activity, a template MoU had been created. This document was based on the templates in use at UoE and UEA and had been approved by Executive and Academic Board. It was confirmed that MoUs would typically be signed at Institutional level, most likely by the Provost. UEA had also provided an example checklist for MoUs which was successfully in use at UEA. / 72/12PROPOSALS TO PROCEED TO PUBLICITY AND VALIDATION
TheCAT1R formfortheBA(Hons)Historycoursewasconsidered.Giventhenumberof changessince theinitialvalidationitwasagreed thatarevalidationwasnecessary rather than a PeriodicReview. / 73/12The CAT1R form for FdA Salon Management was considered. The course had only run once since validation and members agreed that a revalidation was required rather than a Periodic Review. / 74/12
UPDATES TO UCS POLICIES AND PROCEDURES (PAPERS JAC/12/45 -JAC/12/49)
The following Policies were approved:UCS Management of Courses Policy;
UCS Admissions Policy;
UCS Mitigating Circumstances Policy;
UCS Safeguarding Policy. / 75/12
VALIDATION, REVALIDATIONAND PERIODIC REVIEWREPORTS (PAPERS JAC/12/50 – JAC/12/60)
It was recommended to the Senates of the validating universities that the following courses be (re)approved for a period of five years commencing September 2012, subject to the conditions and recommendations outlined in the (re)validation reports being met by agreed deadlines: / 76/12UCS Ipswich
Professional Graduate Certificate in Education [Suffolk and Norfolk Secondary SCITT] Master of Business Administration, PgC/PgD Management
Preparation for Mentorship [level 6], Preparation for Mentorship [level 6 non-credit rated], Supporting Practice Learning [level 7]
DipHE Operating Department Practice
MA/PgD/PgC Arts Practice
MA/PgD/PgC Journalism
BA (Hons) Care Practice [progression route]
FdSc Communications Technologies: Software Engineering / 77/12
UCS Bury St Edmunds
FdA Music Production, BA (Hons) Music Production [progression route] FdA/BA (Hons) Counselling
UCS Great Yarmouth
FdA/CertHE Fashion and Textiles
Multi-site provision
FdSc Computing and Networking (Bury St Edmunds), FdSc Applied Computing (BusinessInformation Technology) (Great Yarmouth), FdA Computing and Management (Bury StEdmunds),BA(Hons)ComputingandManagement[progressionroute](BurySt Edmunds), BSc (Hons) Applied Computing [progression route] (Bury St Edmunds and Great Yarmouth)
PROPOSALS TO PROCEED TO PUBLICITY AND VALIDATION (CAT 1/2/1R/2R)
Membersapprovedthefollowingproposalstoproceedtoperiodicreviewduringthe 2011-12 academic year:CAT 1 (Proposal to Proceed to Publicity and Validation)
UCS Ipswich
BSc (Hons) Adult Nursing; BSc (Hons) Child Health Nursing; BSc (Hons) Mental HealthNursing
MA Healthcare Education / 78/12
CAT 1R (Proposal to Proceed to Periodic Review)
UCS Ipswich
BSc (Hons) Health and Wellbeing
BSc (Hons) Acute Healthcare Practice (with pathways in Accident and Emergency; Coronary Care; Intensive Care; Peri-Operative Practice; Renal)
BSc Specialist Community Public Health Nursing (Health Visiting; School Nursing) PgD Specialist Community Public Health Nursing (Health Visiting; School Nursing)
FdA Healthcare Practice (with speciality)
PGCE [North East Essex Confederation Secondary SCITT] FdA Health Administration
BA (Hons) Business Management with minor routes in Finance; Marketing; HumanResource Management; Entrepreneurship
BSc (Hons) Midwifery [shortened]
UCS Bury St Edmunds
FdA/BA (Hons) Business Management
FdA Management (Uniformed Public Services)
UCS Lowestoft
FdA Supporting Inclusive Learning and Practice
CAT 2R (Proposal to Proceed to Periodic Review (multi-site))
Multi-site provision
BA (Hons) Children’s Care, Learning and Development (UCS Bury St Edmunds and UCS Lowestoft)
FdA Children’s Care, Learning and Development [changing course title to FdA Early YearsPractice] (UCS Great Yarmouth, UCS Ipswich, UCS Lowestoft, UCS Bury St Edmunds)
Members approved the following proposals to proceed to revalidation during the2011-12 academic year:
UCS Ipswich
BA (Hons) History
UCS Bury St Edmunds
FdA Salon Management / 79/12
Changes to validated provision (CAT 3)
Members approved changes to the following validated provision:
UCS Ipswich
BA (Hons) History and BA (Hons) Family, Local and Community History (CAT3340 and CAT3341) (changes to be incorporated in the revalidation)
BSc (Hons) Bioscience (4 year programme)
BA (Hons) Film
BSc (Hons) Diagnostic Radiography
BSc (Hons) Radiotherapy and Oncology
MSc Science of Healthy Ageing/RegenerativeMedicine
Foundation Degree in Public Health Practice / 80/12
Proposals for course discontinuation (CAT 4)
It was recommended to the Senates of the validating universities that the following courses be discontinued with immediate effect:
UCS Ipswich
Return to Professional Practice
BA (Hons) Family, Local and Community History / 81/12
Chairs’ Action
The Committee noted action taken on behalf of the Committee by the Academic Director of Partnerships (UEA) and the Dean of Academic Partnerships (Essex) to approve a range of items listed in Paper JAC/12/89. / 82/12
TheChairshadrecommendedtotheSenatesofthevalidatinguniversitiesthatthe following courses proceed to publicity and validation:
UCS Ipswich
BSc (Hons) Nursing with routes to registration as an Adult, Mental Health or Child HealthNurse.
MA Healthcare Education – this course will replace the current MA Education for Health and Social Care Professionals programme. / 83/12
The Chairs had approved the following changes to validated provision:
UCS Ipswich
(a)DipHE / BSc (Hons) Child Health Nursing – changes to the assessment of the module ‘Contemporary Practice: Child Health Nursing’.
BSc (Hons) Health and Wellbeing –changes to the assessment of the modules ‘Learning in Industry 1’ (level 5) and
‘Learning in Industry 2’ (level 6), and ensuring that students are only allowed to takeone of these two modules during their programme, at either level 5 or level 6.
(b)BA (Hons) Interior Architecture and Design – change to module ‘Theory and History ofInterior Architecture and Design 1’ to amalgamate assessments into a portfolio.
(c)BA (Hons) Interior Architecture and Design – change to module ‘Theory and History ofInterior Architecture and Design 2’ to amalgamate assessments into a portfolio.
(d)BA (Hons) Interior Architecture and Design – change to ‘Professional Studies andDissertation’ to amalgamate assessments into a portfolio.
(e)BA (Hons) Interior Architecture and Design – change to ‘Seminars on Aesthetics andScience’ to amalgamate assessments into a portfolio.
(f)BA(Hons)Film–toreplacemodule‘Cityscapes:CinemaandModernity’with ‘DevelopmentandPre-production’.Torevise‘ProfessionalPractice’moduleto incorporate business, marketing and promotion elements of ‘Creative and ProfessionalDevelopment’.
(g)BA (Hons) History and BA (Hons) Family, Local and Community History – change oftitle of module ‘Local Histories, People and Place’ to ‘Researching History’.
(h)BA(Hons)HistoryandBA(Hons)FamilyLocalandCommunityHistory–modifications to assessment and assessment weightings in ‘History Skills’ module.
(i)BSc (Hons) Bioscience (4 Year Programme) – correction of typographical error in definitive document relating to length of exam in ‘Maths for Bioscience module’.Exam length is 1.5 hours.
(j)BSc (Hons) Diagnostic Radiography and BSc (Hons) Radiotherapy and Oncology – Changestotheassessmentof‘Dissertation’and‘ResearchMethodsfor Radiographers’ modules to give students a choice of a small scale primary research project, a systematic literature review and an extended proposal.
(k)MSc Science of Healthily Ageing/Regenerative Medicine – change examination timefrom 2 hours to 2.5 hours in ‘Molecular and Cellular Basis for Ageing’ module.
(l)Foundation Degree in Public Health Practice – changes to work based learning in‘Nutrition and Healthy Living’ module to identify in the module guide that to achieve a pass in the workbook all elements are required in the workbook.The workbook may be tailored to the individual student’s environment and learning needs in order to meet public health practice requirements.
TheChairshadrecommendedtotheSenatesofthevalidatinguniversitiesthatthe following change of course title be approved:
UCS Lowestoft
From: FdA Football Development and Coaching
To: FdA Sports Development and Coaching(with Football Specialism). / 84/12
TheChairshadrecommendedtotheSenatesofthevalidatinguniversitiesthatthe following courses be discontinued:
UCS Ipswich
(a)BA(Hons)Family,LocalandCommunityHistory,witheffectfrom2013-14.Recruitment suspended since 2010.
(b)Return to Professional Practice module in the School of Nursing and Midwifery.The NursingandMidwiferyCouncilhadcentralisedthisprovisionwhichwasnow redundant. / 85/12
The Chairs had approved a temporary suspension of recruitment to the following programmes for the 2012-13 academic year:
UCS Great Yarmouth
FdSc Engineering (part-time Electronic and Mechanical pathways) / 86/12
VALIDATION, REVALIDATIONAND PERIODIC REVIEWUPDATE (PAPER JAC/12/90 – JAC/12/92)
Members received the summary of validation, revalidation and periodic review outcomes for the current academic year, and an update on requirements monitoring. Members noted thelistofcoursesdueforvalidation,revalidationorperiodicreviewinthe2012-13 academic year. / 87/12QAA INTEGRATED QUALITY AND ENHANCEMENT REVIEW
Members received the Suffolk New College IQER Summative Review Report available ontheQAA website at:/ 88/12
REPORT FROM THE UCS POLICIES AND PROCEDURES WORKING GROUP (PAPER JAC/12/93)
Members-receivedtheminutesoftheUCSPoliciesandProceduresWorkingGroup meetingheldon 18April2012. / 89/12UCS ANNUAL ACADEMIC REPORT (PAPER JAC/12/94)
Members received the UCS Annual Academic Report for the 2010-11 academic year. / 90/12ANNUAL REPORT FROM THE UCS PARTNERSHIP MANAGEMENT TEAM (PAPER JAC/12/95)
Members received the annual report from the UCS Partnership Management Team for the2011-12 academic year. / 91/12OUTCOME OF NURSING AND MIDWIFERY COUNCIL REVIEW (PAPER JAC/12/96)
Members noted the outcomes report from the Nursing and Midwifery Council review with the level of achievement of ‘good’ being recorded for each of the five areas considered in the review. / 92/12ANY OTHER BUSINESS
It was noted that the Chair, Erica Towner, would be retiring from her role as Academic Director of Partnerships at the UEA at the end of July. Thanks were given to Erica for the critical part she played in the forming and development of UCS. Members wished Erica well for her retirement. / 93/12It was noted that Dr Wayne Campbell would be leaving the University of Essex shortly to take up a senior post at the University of Kent. Thanks were given to Wayne for his valued contributions to the JAC and to UCS as a whole.
DATES OF NEXT MEETINGS
Wednesday 7 November 2012 at 10.00amWednesday 6 March 2013 at 10.00am
Wednesday 5 June 2013 at 10.00am / 94/12
Stephen Knock
Partnerships Manager
University of East Anglia
May 2012