Executive Committee Meetings

Meeting of the Executive Committee are held 7 times a year.

At its meeting on 14 March 2009 the Chairman reported that the Policy & Finance Committee had considered the question of the size of the Executive Committee and proposed that the Committee should be reduced in size. After a long discussion it was clear that there was no agreement and consequently the Committee would remain at its present size.

The Chairman announced that the Registrar & Secretary, Dr David Fletcher, who was to retire in September, had agreed to address a special meeting of Convocation on 16 May 2009.

The Committee reviewed the meeting of Court that had been held on 4 March 2009. It was agreed that the new format of the meeting was a great improvement and had been more informative leading to more extensive discussion. The general view was that it was the best meeting for some years.

The Vice-Chairman (Social) announced that there would be trip to Brodsworth on 9 May 2009, the Buxton lunch on 18 July 2009, the AGM on 12 September 2009, a tour of the Music Department in October 2009 and the Christmas lunch on 5 December 2009. The Social Committee accounts were presented to the Committee and approved for submission to the AGM.

At its meeting on 17 January 2009 the Executive Committee received a presentation on University Finance by Mr Bob Rabone, Director of Finance & Resources in the University. Following a detailed presentation on the local and national issues Mr Rabone answered questions. The Committee thanked Mr Rabone for his excellent presentation.

The Chairman reported on his meeting with the Vice-Chancellor on 19 December 2008. The Vice-Chancellor had received the paper which Executive Committee had endorsed and said he only disagreed with one point in the paper, namely the proposed down-sizing of Court. The Vice-Chancellor wished to keep Court at its present size.

Mr Downey reported on the meeting of a group of the Executive Committee with the Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Teaching & Learning, Professor Paul White. The meeting had concentrated on the problems of international students, in particular the difficulties these students had in obtaining work experience after graduating. The issue of international students congregating in homogenous groups was also discussed. It was agreed that the meeting provided a useful exchange of views. Mr Downey also reported that the new Pro-Vice-Chancellor for External Affairs, Professor Dominic Shellard, was to chair the Alumni Foundation.

The Chairman raised the issue of the size of the Executive Committee. It was agreed to refer this to the Policy & Finance Committee for further discussion. The need to ensure an influx of new members who wanted to take part in Convocation activities was also discussed.

The Vice-Chairman (Social) reported on recent activities which had included a visit to the Geography Department and the Christmas lunch. It was reported that there would be no Convocation AGM dinner this year as there would be a dinner organised by the Development & Alumni Office on 12 September 2009, the date of the AGM.

As there was a vacancy on Court for a member of Convocation it was proposed and agreed that the Vice-Chairman (Social), Dr E Stillman, should fill the vacancy.

At its meeting on Saturday 15 November 2008 Mr Downey reported that the Pro-Vice Chancellor for Teaching and Learning, Professor Paul White, was happy to meet with members to discuss the integration of international students and the problems of work placements for these students. It was agreed that a group would meet Professor White to discuss these issues.

The Chairman reported on the meeting of the University Council held on 27 October 2008. This had been an away-day meeting that had allowed ample time for discussion in addition to three presentations by Pro-Vice Chancellors.

The Committee received a paper from the Policy and Finance Committee that defined Convocation and its role. After considerable discussion and minor amendments it was agreed that this paper should be used by the Chairman in his discussions with the Vice Chancellor.

The Committee received a report from the Chairman on the Student Recruitment Fair.
Referring back to a discussion earlier in the year Mrs Martland reported that increases in the number of university places that had been proposed earlier by HMG had now been cut and that HEFCE was now freezing everything for the foreseeable future. On a more optimistic note Mrs Martland noted that the CBI had set up an HE interest group.
Dr Hill introduced his briefing paper on the biological sciences. The paper was enthusiastically welcomed by the Committee.

A request for sponsorship from the Convocation Fund had been received but following a discussion it was agreed that there should be no expenditure from this year´s investment income; that it would be wrong to offer financial support as a result of a single approach to the Committee; that the Committee should discuss both the policy and process relating to potential sponsorship by Convocation.

The Vice-Chairman (Social) reported on the successful visit to Rolls Royce and noted that there were still vacancies for the visit to the Geography Department and the Christmas lunch.

The Committee´s attention was drawn to the architectural award given to Bond Bryan Architects. A founder member of the firm, Jon Bond, is a member of the Committee and he was warmly congratulated by the Committee.