University Executive Board minutes - 1 February 2022

Date:

1 February 2022

Present:

Professor K Lamberts (KL) (in the Chair), Professor S Fitzmaurice (SF), Professor S Hartley (SH), J Jones (JJ), Professor J Litster (JL), Professor C Newman (CN), Professor D Petley (DNP), R Sykes (RS), Professor G Valentine (GV), Professor M Vincent (MV),

In attendance:

Dr T Strike (TS), I Wright (IW), K Burden (KB), A Carlile (AC) (Item 4)

Apologies:

Professor J Derrick (JD), Professor C Watkins (CW), T Wray (TW)

Secretary:

Dr E Smith (ES)

1. Minutes of UEB Held on 1 June 2021

   • The Minutes were approved as an accurate record.

2. Minutes of UEB Held on 14 June 2021

   • The Minutes were approved as an accurate record.

3. Closed Minute and Paper

4. Data Futures Update

   • (K Burden and A Carlile in attendance for this item)

   • UEB considered an update on institutional preparations for delivering the inaugural Student – Data Futures statutory return in 2023 together with a proposed approach for engaging with an active OfS consultation on in-year data collection points for the return. Members noted the extensive technical work required on CIS to enable it to capture the relevant data, together with the associated input requirements for Departments across the University, given the intention to fix the data at source. A Project Group had been convened to oversee these developments, with membership drawn from the affected areas. Attention was also drawn to the risks pertaining to the planned work. The scale of these risks accorded the project a high priority.

   • During discussion, UEB raised and/or noted the following points:

     • Institutional Preparations
       • A vacant role in Student Support Services would be restructured in order to introduce a more significant data governance component.
       • It would be important for the preparatory work to be coordinated on both an operational level and with regard to resource requirements.
     • Consultation Approach
       • The proposed approach was aligned with that being collated on behalf of the Russell Group.
       • Changes in the external environment, including the departure of the Chief Executive of the OfS and the proposed merger of HESA and Jisc that could lead to Jisc becoming the OfS’ designated quality body (DQB).
     • UEB:
       • Endorsed the recommendation for the Project Group to agree and manage a timeline of work across the relevant Departments, with Planning, Projects, and Business Intelligence (PPBI) occupying a coordinating role.
       • Agreed that the planned work was given a high priority when ITS or other Professional Services resources were required for vital technical or process changes.
       • Agreed the University’s proposed approach to the OfS consultation.

5. Closed Minute and Paper

6. Closed Minute and Paper

7. Report of the UEB Estates and Capital Sub-Group

   • (Meeting Held on 11 January 2022)
   • UEB approved a number of proposals set out in the related paper and accompanying business cases, subject to Finance Committee and/or Council approval where relevant in accordance with the Scheme of Delegation:

8. Round Table

   • Advanced Research and Invention Agency (ARIA): SH reported on ARIA’s appointment of its first Chief Executive Officer.
   • Faculty of Engineering: JL informed UEB that the Engineering Heartspace would be used for a forthcoming broadcast of BBC Breakfast.