12/651

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE CARDIFF UNIVERSITY ACADEMIC STANDARDS AND QUALITY COMMITTEE HELD ON WEDNESDAY, 22 MAY 2013 IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER, MAIN BUILDING AT 10.00 AM.

Present: Professor Patricia Price (Chair), Professor Martin Coyle, Professor Stephen Denyer, Professor Paul Dummer, Professor Roy Evans, Dr Joanne Hunt, Dr Brian Jenkins, Dr Alan Kwan, Miss Claire Morgan, Ms Hannah Pask, Dr Zbig Sobiesierski, Professor Ken Wann and Ms Gail Williams.

In attendance: Mrs Jill Bedford, Mr Clive Brown, Mr Rhodri Evans, Mr Stephen Griffiths, Mr Andrew Lloyd, Mr David Lloyd, Dr Nathan Roberts, Dr Chris Turner and Dr Sarah Williamson.

Apologies for absence were received from Ms Beth Button, Professor Peter Donnelly, Professor Paul Dummer and Dr Jo Hunt.

751 MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting of the Academic Standards and Quality Committee held on 13 March 2013 (paper 12/565) were confirmed as a true record and signed by the Chair.

752 MATTERS ARISING

Received and considered paper 12/633, 'Personal Tutoring Task and Finish Group Update from the First Meeting on 9 May 2013’ (Minute 742.1).

Arising therefrom:

752.1 to invite the Task and Finish Group to pay particular attention to Personal Tutor arrangements for Joint Honours students.

753 ITEMS FROM THE CHAIR

753.1 Extraordinary Meeting of ASQC

NOTED

.1 that an Extraordinary Meeting of ASQC would be held at 9am on 11 July 2013 and that it would be followed by an Away Event at 10am to which staff from Schools had been invited.

753.2 Membership of ASQC

NOTED

.1 the intention to align ASQC membership categories with the new College structures.

754 PROGRESS REPORT ON INSTITUTIONAL REVIEW 2014

Received and NOTED paper 12/642, ‘Institutional Review 2014’.

NOTED

1

12/651

754.1 the following timeframe for the Institutional Review 2014:

One-day Preliminary Visit in wb 2 December 2013Submission of SED expected to be in wb 6 January 20141.5 Day First Team Meeting in wb 17 February 2014IR Visit wb 31 March 2014.

754.2 a summary of the QAA IR Briefing Event held on 22 April 2013, detailed in paper 12/642;

754.3 confirmation that the University’s Collaborative Provision (CP) would be included in the Institutional Review and would not be part of a ‘hybrid’ pr separate CP review;

754.4 a summary of progress on the following inputs to Institutional Review, detailed in paper 12/642:

- Drafting of the Self Evaluation Document (SED)- Evidence Gathering- Promulgation to Stakeholders- Partnership with Students’ Union;

754.5 that members would soon receive for comment the second draft of the SED;

754.6 that the IR Steering Group was monitoring progress with required actions in relation to specific areas of development, including PGR, Collaborative Provision and MEDIC;

754.7 a need for clarity regarding the existing, new and revised chapters of the QAA that would apply to the University’s Institutional Review.

755 APRE CYCLE - SESSION 2011-2012

Received and considered paper 12/644, 'Annual Programme Review and Enhancement: An Overview of the 2011-2012 Cycle’.

NOTED

755.1 the main findings of the APRE Cycle for Session 2011-2012, detailed in paper 12/644;

755.2 identified Noteworthy Practice and Issues Raised for Consideration by the Colleges and University (including the Professional Services);

755.3 that all Schools had received detailed feedback on their APRE submissions following consideration by the appropriate College APRE Committee;

755.4 that members of the College APRE Committees and of the APRE Executive Sub-Committee:

- had been satisfied that all Schools and Programme-level teams had engaged positively and actively with APRE;

2

12/651

- had noted evidence of good student engagement and noteworthy practice;

755.5 that the APRE process had continued to provide reassurances to Schools on the validity of programmes

RESOLVED TO REPORT TO SENATE

755.6 that the University can continue to have confidence in the quality of learning and the opportunities provided for its students and in the standards of its awards.

755.7 that Schools have been asked to report on identified issues in the next Annual Review Cycle;

755.8 that other issues, including the dissemination of many highlighted reports of Noteworthy Practice, had been identified to be addressed by the individual Colleges and/ or by the University and that updates on progress in addressing these issues will be reported during the next Annual Review Cycle.

756 EXTERNAL EXAMINER REPORT CYCLE FOR 2011-2012

Received and considered paper 12/645, 'External Examiner: 2011-2012 Annual Report’.

NOTED

756.1 a report on procedures operated for the consideration of External Examiner Reports for the 2011-2012 Report Cycle;

756.2 a summary of adjustments to University arrangements for External Examiners for taught programmes, detailed in paper 12/645, made in response to:

.1 the publication in late 2011 of the QAA’s UK Quality Code of Practice – Chapter B7: External Examining;

.2 the continuing Assessment Matters Project; and

.3 routine consideration of processes over the past twelve months

and including:

- a standard four-year tenure for new appointments (previously three-years);

- an enhanced role for External Examiners, extending their role to include contributing to the Examining Board’s responsibility to monitor the quality and standards of awards;

- revisions to the Annual Report Form used by External Examiners, supported by a new Guidance document, for use from the 2012-2013 reporting cycle;

- a closer alignment of the University’s External Examiner appointing criteria with that provided by B7; and

3

12/651

- new protocols for Support for External Examiners, Serious Concerns, Conflicts of Interest and Inappropriate Contact from Students, embedded in Senate Regulations and associated Senate Guidelines.

756.3 proposals to:

.1 make annual reports and the University Institutional Responses available to all students electronically from the 2012-2013 reporting cycle; and

.2 to highlight a selection of positive comments included in Reports in published Institutional Responses, from the 2012-2013 reporting cycle;

756.4 that further enhancements might include:

.1 linking External Examiner reports to information for prospective students; and

- the provision of an annual event for new External Examiners;

756.5 details of a consultation exercise held with Schools in April 2013 that had raise awareness, and generated support for, the above adjustments;

756.6 that External Examiners had been informed of changes to assessment practices.

RESOLVED

756.7 that full External Examiner Annual Reports (redacted where appropriate to remove references to individual staff or students and adjusted, for the purpose of referencing, to correct details contained in the header boxes) and the University Institutional Responses for taught programmes be made publically available online from the 2012-2013 reporting cycle;

756.8 to invite the Regulations Sub-Committee to explore possible changes to regulating provisions to ensure student awareness of the purpose of any meetings with External Examiners.

757 PROPOSALS TO ENHANCE THE APRE PROCESS, 2013-14

Received and considered paper 12/640, ‘Proposals to Enhance the APRE Process, 2013-14’.

NOTED

757.1 consequent upon the first cycle (for 2011-2012) of a new APRE process, proposed further enhancements to the APRE process identified by the Pro Vice Chancellor (Student Experience and Academic Standards), the College Deans for Education and Students, the Dean for Academic Quality and student representatives, summarised in paper 12/640;

4

12/651

757.2 the view of members that the first round of the new APRE process had been particularly positive in:

- sharing knowledge and understanding of approaches taken by Schools in addressing common and current challenges; and

- enabling cognate Schools to identify and discuss discipline-relevent enhancements;

- providing more forward-looking and strategic School engagement with the process

757.3 members’ support for recommendations to:

- integrate APRE, Annual PGR Monitoring and NSS Action Planning into one streamlined process;

- bring the submission deadline for School submissions forward to 1 November each year

757.4 the challenges of an early submission deadline to ensuring student engagement in Annual Review and Enhancement and that Schools would be advised of good practice to address such challenges.

RESOLVED

757.5 that recommendations for the further enhancement of the APRE process, detailed in paper 12/640, be endorsed with effect from the 2012-2013 cycle (i.e. operational during Session 2013-2014).

757.6 that the Chair would lead discussions regarding the appropriateness of allocating the three cross-School programmes that provided separate submissions in the 2011-2012 APRE cycle to Colleges ‘homes’ (to be identified, if required) for quality assurance and enhancement purposes in advance of the ARE Cycle for 2012-2013.

758 PERIODIC REVIEW: NEXT CYCLE

Received and considered paper 12/637, ‘Periodic Review: Next Cycle’.

NOTED

758.1 following endorsement by ASQC (March 2013) of the underpinning principles and draft organisational model for a new approach to Periodic Review, proposals (detailed in paper 12/637) brought forward by the Pro Vice Chancellor (Student Experience and Academic Standards), the College Deans, the Dean for Academic Quality and student Elected Officers for a new Operation Model for Periodic Review for implementation in 2013-2014 to 2017-2018;

758.2 that particular attention had been given to the following aspects of the new approach to Periodic Review:

- the composition and role of the Review Team;- Review Team consideration (on a School-by-School basis) of

any overlaps or potential duplication of effort with accreditation exercises involving Professional and Statutory Bodies;

5

12/651

- an interim meeting of the Review Team and the School at a mid-point in the Periodic Review process;

- the new process will be phased in: three Schools, one from each College, will undertake Periodic Review in 2013-14;

- clarifying the relationship between Annual Review & Enhancement and Periodic Review;

758.3 proposals for the first part of Periodic Review to use Annual Review and Enhancement as an important component of the agenda–setting phase and that, following completion of Periodic Review, Schools would be asked to reflect on whether new data necessitates a review of the action plan, rather than a full Annual Review & Enhancement.

RESOLVED

758.4 that the proposed Operational Model for Periodic Review be endorsed for implementation in 2013-2014 to 2017-2018.

758.5 that further details on the nature of the annual reviews preceding and following Periodic Review be provided for consideration by the Extraordinary meeting of ASQC on 11 July 2013.

759 PROGRAMME INFORMATION

Received and considered paper 12/623, ‘Programme Information Management System (PIMS) Project – Programme Information Collection’.

NOTED

759.1 a summary of progress to date made by the Programme Information Management System (PIMS) Project, detailed in paper 12/623;

759.2 proposed data fields for the collection of School Programme data, detailed in the Appendix to paper 12/623 and indications that the final version:

- would helpfully include the identification of the Home School, CQFW level and PSRB accreditation/recognition;

- would provide further clarification of the information required to be published in section 2.) (Learning Outcomes);

- would be enhanced through the possibility of links to supporting School documents such as Thread Diagrams.

759.3 an indicative timeframe for the roll out of the Project, including a requirement for Schools to input Programme Data fields by December 2013;

759.4 proposals to publish Programme and Module Diet information online to meet sector-wide moves towards more transparent, detailed and public information being made available to students about each Programme.

6

12/651

RESOLVED

759.5 that, subject to consideration of issues highlighted in Minute 759.2 above, data fields for the collection of Programme data, as detailed in the Appendix to paper 12/623, be approved.

759.6 that Module Diet information be published online during 2013-2014.

760 COLLABORATIVE PROVISION SUB-COMMITTEE: 25 APRIL 2013

Received and considered paper 12/624, being the Minutes of the Collaborative Provision Sub-Committee held on 25 April 2013.

Arising therefrom:

760.1 Update from the Collaborative Provision Working Group (Minute 112)

NOTED

.1 a summary of progress and key recommendations of the Collaborative Provision Working Group detailed in Sub-Committee Minute 112 and focused upon the establishment of:

- a central Register of Collaborative Provision;- a Collaborative Provision Policy, Framework and

Handbook; and- Due Diligence and Risk Assessment arrangements;

.2 the establishment by the Collaborative Provision Sub-Committee of a Steering Group to monitor progress on the above;

.3 that a lunchtime workshop on legal aspects of collaborative provision was planned for 1 July 2013;

.4 that the resources needed to deliver and maintain an enhanced University approach to Collaborative Provision would need to be identified once the approach had been agreed.

761 FRAMEWORK FOR MANAGEMENT OF COLLABORATIVE PROVISION

Received and considered paper 12/625, ‘Framework for Management of Collaborative Provision’.

NOTED

761.1 an outline Framework for managing the approval, monitoring and review of Collaborative Provision in the University based upon broad categories of activities identified in Chapter B10 of the QAA’s Quality Code detailed in paper 12/625;

761.2 a need for:

- support for students to feature prominently in approval processes; and

7

12/651

- collaborative Provision to be highlighted in Annual Review and Periodic Review processes.

762 ASSESSMENT MATTERS PROJECT – PROGRESS REPORT

Received and considered paper 12/626, ‘Assessment Matters – Progress Report’.

NOTED

762.1 that the third meeting of the Feedback Special Interest Group, held on 17 May 2013, had included presentations from two Schools that are using the Grademark tool in Turnitin and comments from students in these Schools on their feedback experiences;

762.2 that resources from this event were available on Connections.

763 MARKING REGULATIONS AND GUIDANCE

Received and considered paper 12/627, ‘Marking Regulations and Guidance’.

NOTED

763.1 a proposed new Section 7 ‘Marking Regulations and Guidance’ to replace the existing Section 7 ‘Marking’ of Senate Assessment Regulations for Taught Programmes;

763.2 that the proposed new Section 7 had been scrutinised by the Regulations Sub-Committee on 10 May 2013 (Minute 266.3);

763.3 that the proposals had been informed by practice in comparator institutions as detailed in paper 12/627 (page 15X).

RESOLVED TO RECOMMEND TO SENATE

763.4 that Section 7 of Senate Assessment Regulations for Taught Programmes be replaced by a new Section 7 as detailed in the Appendix to this Minute (paper 12/652) (including associated Principles and Guidance) with effect from Session 2013-2014.

764 OUTCOMES FROM THE CONSULTATION ON CONDONEMENT

Received and considered paper 12/641, ‘Outcomes from the Consultation’.

NOTED

764.1 that ASQC, at its meeting on 13 March 2013, had considered (Minute 739) as a significant outcome of the Assessment Matters Project, proposals:

- to replace the existing Senate Regulations for Modular Undergraduate Programmes with new Regulations that embraced and facilitated the principles of the Senate-approved Assessment Rules for Taught Modular Undergraduate Programmes; and

8

12/651

- proposed parallel adjustments to appropriate corresponding clauses contained in:

Senate Regulations for Modular Postgraduate Taught Programmes; and

Senate Regulations for Non-Modular Postgraduate Taught Programmes;

764.2 that ASQC had noted (inter alia, Minute 739.1)

“.4 that a small number of Schools had requested further consideration of proposed condonement provisions;

.5 a need for further consultation with Schools on the proposed provisions for condonement in Senate Regulations covering undergraduate and taught postgraduate provision;

.6 that, in reviewing condonement provisions, practice at other institutions should be considered and that proposals that proposals brought forward for further ASQC consideration should prioritise the protection of academic standards;

.10 that, save for further consideration of condonement provisions (Minute 734.1.11, below), ASQC endorsed the proposed new Senate Regulations for Modular Undergraduate Programmes.”

and had resolved (inter alia):

“.11 that proposed recommendations to Senate contained in Regulations Sub-Committee Minute 261.8 and 261.9 be deferred to the next meeting of ASQC and pending further consultation with Schools on proposed condonement provisions.”

764.3 outcomes from a University-wide consultation and recommendations detailed in paper 12/641 for amendments to Senate Regulations related to condonement;

764.4 that rules on condonement were intended to ensure that there is consistency across the University in the practices adopted where a student has demonstrated achievement of the stage and/or programme learning outcomes but has narrowly failed to achieve the pass mark in a small number of modules;

764.5 that Regulations Sub-Committee had, at its meeting on 10 May 2013 (Minute 266.2), considered two alternative proposed amendments to Senate Regulations related to Condonement;

764.6 the view of most members that condonement should only normally apply where a student had failed modules up to the prescribed limits for condonement;

9

12/651

764.7 the view of members that Condonement should be limited to Module(s) being assessed as a first attempt;

764.8 that Equality Impact Assessments of the main outcomes from the Assessment Matters Project had already taken place and that the need to undertake and Equality Impact Assessment of the proposed changes to condonement regulations should be urgently considered;

[Secretary’s Note: in respect of Minutes 764.6 and 764.7, the proposed Regulations have been amended accordingly in the Appendices to Minute 764.9 (paper 12/653, Sections 8.3 and 8.4) and Minute764.10 (paper 12/654, Modular PGT Regulations, Sections 8.4 and 8.5).]

RESOLVED TO RECOMMEND TO SENATE

764.9 that, on the recommendation of Regulations Sub-Committee and following reconsideration of the issue of Condonement, replacement Senate Regulations for Modular Undergraduate Programmes, as appended to this Minute (paper 12/653), be approved with effect from Session 2013-2014.

764.10 that consequential amendments to:

Senate Regulations for Modular Postgraduate Taught Programmes; and

Senate Regulations for Non-Modular Postgraduate Taught Programmes;

as appended to this Minute (paper 12/654), be approved with effect from Session 2013-2014.

765 EXTENUATING CIRCUMSTANCES

Received and considered paper 12/646, ‘Extenuating Circumstances’.

NOTED

765.1 recommendations, arising from the Assessment Matters Project and detailed in paper 12/646, for the replacement of Section 11.6 ‘Extenuating Circumstances’ of Senate Assessment Regulations for Taught Programmes;

765.2 that the proposed amendments to Senate Assessment Regulations had been informed by consideration by the Regulations Sub-Committee (10 May 2013, Minute 266.2) and by a subsequent reconsideration of the remedies available in the case of passed Modules where a student has demonstrated that components of summative assessment have been failed having been affected by Extenuating Circumstances;

765.3 that the proposals had been subject to an Equality Impact Assessment informed by data modelling from four Schools;

765.4 members strong support for the proposed:

(i) inclusion within Senate Regulations of flow charts to clarify options available to Examining Boards;

10

12/651

(ii) opportunity for applications to be made to the Awards and Progress Committee where an Examining Board does not feel that Discounting up to prescribed limits provides, in individual cases, sufficient remedy.

RESOLVED TO RECOMMEND TO SENATE

765.5 that, on the recommendation of Regulations Sub-Committee and following reconsideration of issues highlighted in Minute 765.2 above, Section 11.6 ‘Extenuating Circumstances’ of Senate Assessment Regulations for Taught Programmes be replaced by the version appended to this Minute (paper 12/655) with effect from Session 2013-2014.

766 REGULATIONS SUB-COMMITTEE: 10 MAY 2013

Received and considered paper 12/638, being the Minutes of the Regulations Sub-Committee held on 10 May 2013.

Arising therefrom:

766.1 Attendance Procedures (Minute 265.2)

NOTED

.1 proposed amendments, detailed in Minute 265.2) to the Student Attendance and Academic Progress Requirements and Absence Procedures.

RESOLVED TO RECOMMEND TO SENATE

.2 that proposed amendments to the Student Attendance and Academic Progress Requirements and Absence Procedures, detailed in the Appendix to this Minute (paper 12/656), be approved with effect from Session 2013-2014.

766.2 Students’ Fitness to Study Procedure (Minute 265.3)

NOTED

.1 a proposed Students’ Fitness to Study Procedure designed to support students experiencing difficulties and introduce a framework by which others can provide a range of relevant mechanisms in the interests of the student and of the wider University community;

.2 that many universities had adopted such policies and that the Procedure was seen as a means of supporting students and resolving situations without the need to invoke disciplinary procedures;

11

12/651

.3 that the Procedure had been subject to an Equality Impact Assessment. and that particular care would be required when applying the Procedure to disabled students.

RESOLVED TO RECOMMEND TO SENATE

.4 that the proposed Fitness to Study Procedure and associated Guidance, as detailed in the Appendix to this Minute (paper 12/657), be approved with effect from Session 2013-2014 and be included in the new Study Section of the Academic Regulations Handbook.

766.3 Student Mental Health Policy (Minute 265.4)

NOTED

.1 a proposed Student Mental Health Policy designed (inter alia) to:

(i) provide staff with information, advice and guidance about how students with either short-term or long-term mental health difficulties are supported by the University;

(ii) set out a number of objectives and practical actions and activities to attain these, including: staff training, information and resources, employing specialist support staff and outlining practice guidelines in teaching;

(iii) assist the University in meeting its legal obligations in relation to equality legislation, health and safety and duty of care;

.2 a planned launch event for the new Policy early in 2013-2014.

RESOLVED TO RECOMMEND TO SENATE

.3 that the proposed Student Mental Health Policy, detailed in the Appendix to this Minute (paper 12/658) be adopted from Session 2013-2014 and be published on the University’s web pages.

766.4 Definitions of Generic Terms Used in Senate Regulations (Minute 266.4)

NOTED

.1 proposed new definitions and adjustments to existing Definitions of Generic Terms Used in Senate Regulations, providing for new definitions of:

Examining Board (including Progression Examining Board and Final Examining Board); andExtenuating Circumstances Group

and adjustments to the definition of Module Mark.

12

12/651

RESOLVED TO RECOMMEND TO SENATE

.2 that the proposed adjustments to the Definition of Generic Terms Used in Senate Regulations, detailed in the Appendix to this Minute (paper 12/659), be approved with effect from Session 2013-2014.

766.5 Senate Regulations for the MB BCh (Minute 267.1)

NOTED

.1 proposed amendments to Senate Regulations for the MB BCh, drafted in anticipation of University approval of a major curriculum review (known as C21) to be rolled out between 2013-2014 and 2016-2017 and comprising:

(i) one set of amended Senate Regulations for the MB BCh applicable to:

- students in Years 2-5 of the Six-Year and Five-Year Programmes; and

- students in Years 1-4 of the 4-Year Programme in 2013-2014; and

(ii) proposed new parallel Senate Regulations for the MB BCh applicable to:

- students entering Year 1 of the Six-Year and Five-Year Programmes in September 2013;

- students subsequently joining the above student cohort, including students entering Year 1 of the Four-Year Programme from September 2014; and

- all students entering Year 1 of the Programme after September 2013;

being rolled out from 2013-2014.

RESOLVED TO RECOMMEND TO SENATE

.2 that, subject to University approval of the major curriculum review of the MB BCh (known as C21) the two versions of Senate Regulations for the MB BCh, as appended to this Minute (paper 12/660), be approved with effect from Session 2013-2014.

766.6 Senate Regulation for Awards of Cardiff University (Minute 268)

NOTED

.1 proposed minor adjustments to Senate Regulation for Awards of Cardiff University to take appropriate account of:

- the recognised Level of the BDS and the MB BCh;- the new Fitness to Study Procedure; and

13

12/651

- recommended clarifications regarding the language of tuition and assessment in awards of the University.

RESOLVED TO RECOMMEND TO SENATE

.2 that proposed minor adjustments to Senate Regulation for Awards of Cardiff University, detailed in the Appendix to this Minute (paper 12/666), be approved with effect from Session 2013-2014.

766.7 Regulatory References to “Director of Registry, Governance and Students” (Minute 269)

RESOLVED TO RECOMMEND TO SENATE

.1 that, consequent upon a change of title, references in Senate Regulations and the Academic Regulations Handbook to "Director of Registry, Governance and Students" be amended with effect from Session 2013-2014 to:

"Director of Student Services and Governance".

.2 that the following adjustment to the Student Disciplinary Procedure be approved with effect from Session 2013-2014 (new text underlined):

"2.5 SUSPENSION

2.5.1 The Vice-Chancellor has power to suspend a student with immediate effect for a period of up to 12 calendar months. The Vice-Chancellor may delegate their powers of suspension to a Deputy Vice-Chancellor, a Pro Vice-Chancellor or a Deputy Pro Vice-Chancellor or the Director of Student Services and Governance who will make a full report to the Vice-Chancellor of any suspension. The Vice-Chancellor or delegate shall confirm the suspension in writing, giving reasons together with the right to appeal within 5 working days."

767 ADMISSIONS SUB-COMMITTEE: 19 APRIL 2013

Received and considered paper 12/628, being the Minutes of the Admissions Sub-Committee held on 19 April 2013.

Arising therefrom:

767.1 A* Grade at ‘A’Level / Welsh Baccalaurate / Widening Access: Entry Qualifiations Project Update (Minutes 166, 167 and 169)

NOTED

.1 details of the Admissions Sub-Committee’s continuing consideration of these issues.

14

12/651

767.2 Contextual Admissions: Project Update (Minute 168)

RESOLVED

.1 that, on the recommendation of the Admissions Sub-Committee, the existing contextual admissions model and eligibility criteria be retained for the 2013-2014 academic session (2014 entry cycle).

768 LEGACY STATEMENT FROM THE LEARNING & TEACHING COMMITTEE

Received and considered paper 12/643, ‘Learning and Teaching Committee Legacy Statement’.

NOTED

768.1 progress to date against legacy items of the Learning and Teaching Committee, detailed in paper 12/643 and that progress and any further actions would be discussed through the Executive Group of the Education and Students Policy Network.

769 EDUCATION AND STUDENTS POLICY NETWORK: 26 APRIL 2013

Received and NOTED paper 12/634, 'Education and Students Policy Network Update'.

770 UNIVERSITY GRADUATE COLLEGE BOARD

Received and NOTED paper 12/649, being the Minutes of the University Graduate College Board held on 17 January 2013.

Arising therefrom:

770.1 Membership of UGC Board (Minute 5)

NOTED

.1 details of proposed changes to the UGC Board membership designed to take account the new College structures;

.2 that the UGC Board would henceforth report to the UEB via the Pro Vice-Chancellor Student Experience and Academic Standards and report regularly to ASQC on relevant matters.

770.2 UGC and Doctoral Training Centres (Minute 6.3)

NOTED

.1 that the co-location of the UGC and current and prospective DTCs in the Haydn Ellis Building would support synergies in strategic and training developments;

15

12/651

.2 that the facilities available to support PGR students within the Haydn Ellis Building and associated training opportunities should be promoted.

771 ASSURING QUALITY EXPERIENCE PROGRAMME TEAM

Received and NOTED paper 12/650, ' Assuring Quality Experience Programme Team Update’.

772 MB BCh – C21

Received and NOTED paper 12/629, ‘MB BCh – C21’.

NOTED

.1 progress to date, detailed in paper 12/629, towards full University approval of major amendments to the MB BCh (the C21 Project) which would roll-out over the period 2014-2017;

.2 recommendations for the approval of some elements of the new programme arising from Programme Approval Panel held on 28 February 2013;

.3 that University approval of remaining elements of the programme were expected to be concluded through a further validation events during 2013-2014 focused on:

- years 3 and 4 of the C21 MB BCh; and- year 1 of the graduate entry programme.

RESOLVED

.4 that Years 1 and 5 of the proposed revised MB BCh “Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery” / [“Baglor mewn Meddygaeth a Baglor mewn Llawfeddygaeth”], and final year of the 4-year Graduate Entry Programme, be approved for introduction in Session 2013-2014.

.5 that the overall structure of all five years of the revised MB BCh be approved.

.6 that Year 2 of the proposed revised MB BCh be approved for introduction in Session 2014-2015.

.7 that ASQC would continue to monitor the implementation of Years 1, 2 and 5 of the new Programme through consideration by the Chair of the Programme Approval Panel and the Chair of ASQC of monthly progress reports provided by the School.

.8 that the monthly progress reports should be supported in each case by an updated Implementation Plan to provide continuing reassurances to both the School and to ASQC that targets and milestones are being met in a timely manner. The Implementation Plan should be modified to:

- include outstanding actions detailed in the School’s response to the Panel report;

16

12/651

- allow actions and their achievement to be easily interpreted.

.9 that the monthly progress reports and modified Implementation Plan should include reference to, and updates on [references to the original clauses of the Panel report indicated in bold]:

(i) [6.2] the completion of detailed portfolio requirements and associated guide for use by students in 2013-2014 (the School response anticipates that these will be completed by the end of June 2013) and in other years as appropriate;

(ii) [6.3] the inclusion in promotional materials, including the prospectus, of advice to prospective students on the on-going and positive progress towards full University approval of all elements of the new programme (the School response did not address this issue);

(iii) [6.4] progress on the appointment of the Assessment Manager;

(iv) [6.5] progress, including timescales, towards targeted enhanced integration of C21 programme data with the University’s Student Information System;

(v) [6.7] the scheduled publication of the School’s annual calendar of meetings in July 2013;

(vi) [6.8] the School’s continuing engagement with Registry on the nature, scale and resolution of its short- and long-term examination venue needs (the School has still to provide clarity in this area);

(vii) [6.9] the School’s discussions with partner Schools on the establishment of Service Level Agreements with its partner University Schools (there are no known current University examples of such SLAs);

(viii) [6.10] confirmation of the scheduled production of a simple assessment guide to 2013-2014 Year 1 students by September 2013 the School anticipates approval of a draft on 18th July 2013);

(ix) [6.11] progress of the School’s on-going review of its assessment blueprint in advance of Session 2013-2014;

(x) progress towards formal University approval of Years 3 and 4 of the Programme.

.10 to request that documentation provided by the School in respect of University approval of Years 3 and 4 of the Programme should be supported by similarly modified Implementation Plans as appropriate.

773 UPDATE REPORT ON INSTITUTIONAL OVERSIGHT OF ASSESSMENT-RELATED ISSUES IN MEDIC

17

12/651

Received and NOTED paper 12/630, 'Update Report on Institutional Oversight of Assessment-Related Issues in MEDIC: May 2103'.

NOTED

773.1 that the School had engaged fully and positively in all monitoring activities and that the processing of assessment data had been robust;

773.2 that the School was actively addressing all recommendations identified by AUDIT in February 2013 and that ASQC would be kept apprised of progress on these issues.

RESOLVED

773.3 to affirm support for the implementation of the single integrated database for Schools such as the School of Medicine where there is evidence of a high risk of system and data error.

774 RESPONSE RATE: NSS, PTES and PRES

Received and NOTED paper 12/647, 'Response Rate: NSS, PTES and PRES'.

NOTED

.1 impressive response rates on response rates to NSS and to PRES and that the response rate for PTES (which included a significant number of distance-learning students) was likely to fall below target.

RESOLVED

.2 to recognise the contribution of the Students’ Union, the University Graduate College and PGR student representatives to the achievements of strong response rates on NSS and on PRES.

775 STUDY@CARDIFF AND PLACEMENTS SURVEYS

Received and considered paper 12/639, 'Study@Cardiff and Placement Surveys'.

NOTED

775.1 that schools should be encouraged to provide the Placement Survey to those students who would be undertaking a placement or year abroad during Session 2013-2014 with a view to improving the response rate.

776 INTERNATIONAL STUDENT BAROMETER SURVEY

Received and considered paper 12/636, 'International Student Barometer Survey'.

NOTED

.1 an expectation that the outputs from student surveys, including the 'International Student Barometer Survey' would feature in

18

12/651

Dashboard data supporting Annual Review and Enhancement and Periodic Review;

.2 with pleasure, high levels of satisfaction in the following categories:

- arrival experience:- learning experience;- living experience;- support experience;

.3 areas for further development identified in paper 12/636.

777 ACCREDITATION BY PROFESSIONAL BODIES

Received and NOTED paper 12/632, 'Accreditation by Professional Bodies'.

778 ANY OTHER BUSINESS

779 ANNUAL REPORT ON THE STUDENT REPRESENTATION SYSTEM

Received and NOTED paper 12/635, 'Annual Report on the Student Representation System’.

RESOLVED

779.1 to commend officers of the Students’ Union on their contribution to the Student Representation System and, in particular, to the training provided to student representatives.

780 ACTION TAKEN ON BEHALF OF THE COMMITTEE

NOTED a summary of executive action taken by the Chair on behalf of the Committee since the last meeting as detailed on the Agenda sheet (paper 12/631).

781 DATE OF NEXT MEETING

NOTED that that an Extraordinary Meeting of ASQC would be held at 9am on 11 July 2013.

APPENDICES TO THESE MINUTES (Available on request from Committee Support)

12/652 Appendix to ASQC Minute 763.412/653 Appendix to ASQC Minute 764.912/654 Appendix to ASQC Minute 764.1012/655 Appendix to ASQC Minute 765.512/656 Appendix to ASQC Minute 766.1.212/657 Appendix to ASQC Minute 766.2.412/658 Appendix to ASQC Minute 766.3.312/659 Appendix to ASQC Minute 766.4.212/660 Appendix to ASQC Minute 766.5.212/666 Appendix to ASQC Minute 766.6.2

19