SENIOR TUTORS’ COMMITTEE
A meeting of the Senior Tutors’ Commit ee was held at 2.15 p.m. on Friday 30 October 2020 via Zoom
Conferencing.
Declaration of Interests
There were none.
2133
Minutes and notes of previous meetings
The Minutes of the formal meeting of 10 July 2020 and the informal meetings of 28
September and 9 October 2020 were received and approved (STC.20.114, STC.20.115 and
STC.20.116 respectively).
2134 Matters arising and for report not itemised below
There were none.
2135
Starred items
The Commit ee approved
the starred items.
2136
Chair’s and Secretary’s Reports
The Chair offered his renewed thanks to Senior Tutors for their ongoing work in the
continually challenging circumstances of Covid-19.
The Chair reported that the issue of students going home at the end of term was a live
one but there was stil a great deal of uncertainty; a recent Government task force meeting
on the topic had been cancelled at very short notice. The University was lobbying hard to
ensure that students were not adversely affected, with the use of asymptomatic testing
already in place at Cambridge to mitigate the onward spread of infection being
emphasised.
The matter of students returning in January was also a topic of significant concern, with
the Chair noting that the collegiate University would be subject to the political and legal
regime in place at the time. A meeting of the University Senior Leadership Team including
Heads of School had taken place the previous day and there had been unanimous
support for the continuance of the existing approach regarding residence – i.e. that
students were expected to continue to be resident unless there were travel or ISID issues.
The Committee noted that there was no intention to change this policy, but that it would
be kept under review.
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2137 Principal items of business
2137.1 Covid-related business
2137.1.1 Reports from recent meetings
reported on the following:
• That the Agile Project Team meetings, which had been meeting three times a week at the
beginning of term, was now only meeting weekly because the testing programme was
mainly running smoothly. Senior Tutors with concerns or questions about the testing
programmes were encouraged to continue to send them to
so that
these could be considered by the Agile Project Team.
• That the University was publishing data from the testing programmes via the Stay Safe
Cambridge website. The data from the preceding week had indicated a slight decrease in
infection rates. Rates of infection to date had been lower than expected.
• That it was anticipated that asymptomatic testing would be increased to include swabs
from half of household members (up from two) in the near future and this would likely
continue to increase as term progressed. More information would be forthcoming.
2137.1.2 Creation of the Covid Incident Management Team (CIMT)
The Committee noted that the CIMT had been established the proceeding week as part of the
latest iteration of the University’s Response Plan. The Team had met every week since its
establishment and would continue to do so until the end of Term. The main responsibility of the
Team was to work with Colleges as they experienced outbreaks (ie two or more connected
cases). Core membership included
as the Head of the Covid Operations Centre,
, OEAC, University and Public Health England representatives. It was thought that
factors leading to outbreaks were unauthorised social gatherings/parties, sports teams socialising
and the incorrect use of bathrooms and kitchens. It was understood that PHE had been impressed
with the way the Collegiate University was handling cases and outbreaks, noting that the level of
compliance with self-isolation rules was infinitely higher amongst the student population than the
general population.
Lessons learned were shared from three Colleges who had experienced recent outbreaks. One
College had experienced the first significant outbreak, and their experience had considerably
informed the establishment and approach of the CIMT.
Experience of the CIMT was that meetings with Colleges had been very helpful, supportive and
constructive.
A recurring theme was the need to consider the wellbeing and mental health of self-isolators
and suggestions to support this included:
• The importance of access to outdoor space. One College with larger scale self-isolation
instituted a rota so that students did not crowd in the hallways.
• The need for clarity about when a student’s self-isolation was due to end; it was helpful,
but difficult, to give this at the outset.
• Students appreciated a town hall style meeting at which the Senior Tutor and/or Bursar
and/or Head of House provided an explanation of the situation, an expression of support
and the opportunity to answer questions.
• Organising groups of supporters amongst student’s peers to catch up with self-isolators
via Zoom was a helpful way to reduce the burden on Tutors.
• It was useful to note that the Counselling service was experiencing normal demand for
the season so waiting lists remained relatively short (c. 2 weeks). Online counsel ing
continued to be offered.
• The SU would be running a weekly self-isolation session every Thursday 4.30 – 5.30pm.
Senior Tutors were encouraged to communicate this message to their students.
• The Committee was reminded of ongoing student mental health projects provided in
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partnership with Mind:
https://www.cpslmind.org.uk/university-students/
The Bursar representative reported that Bursars involved in CIMT meetings had also reported
the meetings were constructive and useful for Colleges.
2137.1.3 Current rates of infection amongst student population and movement within tiers
The data on rates of infection for w/c 26 October had not been released at the time of the
meeting.
Covid Gold would be reviewing the University’s tier status weekly. It was currently at yel ow,
and this would continue but under close monitoring of rates of infection within the University
and the city itself.
2137.1.4 Recently circulated documents
A number of documents had been circulated by email but were provided again for
information
and ease of reference:
a) A follow-up protocol for instances where multiple positive cases are identified in
Colleges (STC.20.117).
b) The ‘Response Framework’ approved by Covid-19 Gold Team as the new appendix
5 of the collegiate University’s Outbreak Response Plan (STC.20.118)
c) The Outbreak Communications Plan (which is work in progress) and which will also
form an appendix to the Response Plan (STC.20.119)
d) The update from
on the Covid Nudging Project (STC.20.120
and STC.20.121)
2137.2 Foundation Year Admissions Proposal
A paper outlining the proposed principles of admission to the Foundation Year Programme
was received (STC.20.122).
, Foundation Year Course Director, was welcomed to
the meeting and introduced the paper.
The Commit ee noted that UAC, Admissions Forum and GBEC had considered and endorsed
the proposed principles of admission. The Commit ee agreed to approve the principles set out
within STC.20.122.
The Commit ee was also asked to consider and decide on the matter of College preference
for applicants to the Foundation Year Programme as outlined in STC.20.123. The Committee
recorded its preference for applicants to be able to make an open application or express a
preference for one College in the admissions process.
The Committee noted that the implementation of the Foundation Year was proceeding to the
agreed timeline. The Chair expressed renewed thanks to
for presenting the papers and
for her continued efforts to drive the Programme’s implementation forward.
2137.3 Admissions 2021-22
A paper outlining the plans for the current admissions round was received for information
(STC.20.124).
The Commit ee received a helpful summary of all the work being undertaken in preparation for
the current admissions round. Amongst a number of points raised, the following were noted:
• Moodle courses were being developed to deliver interview training which it was hoped
would be available by 11th November.
• The Winter Pool had been scheduled for 13-15th January 2021; this allows for an
extended period of interviewing if needed to accommodate additional pre-Christmas load.
• It was unclear if formal exams would run in summer 2021 and concerns raised that there
3
would be additional numbers of A*s awarded. Colleges were encouraged to make lower
numbers of offers in the current round; it was thought that 1.05 would be a more realistic
cover ratio than the higher rates in previous years.
• A policy decision regarding widening the scope for enhanced adjustment would be brought
to the next meetings of the Admissions Forum and STC. As WP applicants were likely to
be particularly affected by Covid-19, it was considered especially important to ensure
Colleges had means of adjusting for this.
• On the topic of grade inflation, it was noted that reducing cover ratios might lead towards
conservatism in selection, and this may not be WP and APP-friendly. It was noted that if
this was to be a long-term issue, it ought to be revisited under the Strategic Review of UG
Admissions.
• A report on the progress of the Strategic Review of UG Admissions was expected towards
the end of November. Offer levels/ranges would be considered within the scope of the
review but it would take time to work through the materials. Offer levels for 2021-22
admission had already been advertised, so it would not be possible to change them for
the current round.
2137.4 Funding for Admissions Assessments from 2021
A revised paper outlining two options for moving the funding of admissions assessment to a
more sustainable footing in subsequent admissions cycles was received (STC.20.125). The
Commit ee engaged in a lively discussion, with serious concerns raised about both options.
Amongst several points raised, the following were noted:
• The impact of Covid-19 had not been foreseen and there was increased awareness
of the financial demands that Col eges were facing.
• There had been a 30% increase in the numbers of overseas applicants for the current
round.
• There was clearly interest from other HEIs re option b (movement to share
assessments with other HE institutions, with candidates then charged per entry, as in
the current BMAT model, but offering fee waivers to low income students), but there
were serious concerns about sequencing and ensuring other HEIs commit ed at the
outset.
• The issue of Oxford’s position (i.e. that they had publicly commit ed not to charge for
pre-interview assessments) meant that Cambridge would be placed at a disadvantage
and inroads made re access would likely be lost.
• Serious concerns were raised about the WP implications and potential reputational
damage to the Collegiate University.
• The idea of charging specific cohorts of applicants (UK independent school, overseas,
etc) was thought unpalatable to a significant number of Senior Tutors.
• Other income streams outside the levies envelope were also discussed, with the
possibility of approaching CUDAR and College Development Directors mooted.
• The possibility of running the tests using a dif erent provider was also suggested, but
this option had already been considered and discounted. It was indicated that the
infrastructure and logistics of the operation were significant, and the tests did not
generate profit for Cambridge Assessment. So it was suggested that finding another
provider that would offer the tests for less was not be realistic.
• A third option of moving just the Cambridge Test of Mathematics for University
Admission (CTMUA) to a publicly funded model was suggested as a pilot. It was
understood that many other HEIs already used it.
No consensus could be reached during the meeting and it was noted that the matter would
need to be decided upon at the Commit ee’s next meeting (ie before the end of Michaelmas
Term). The Director of UG Admissions urged Senior Tutors to discuss the matter urgently
4
with their Bursar, Head of House and Development Director to allow for a full and frank
exchange of views across intercol egiate fora.
ACTION: All Senior Tutors
The Chair expressed gratitude on behalf of the Committee to the Director of UG Admissions for
progressing this work.
2137.5 Skil s Strategy 2020-25
The Commit ee was reminded that the Access and Participation Plan had specified a review
of skil s provision during 2019-20 in order to develop a new strategy for student academic,
employability and life skil s. During 2019-20, an Advisory Group (including Senior Tutor and
student members) had been convened to guide the development of a new Skil s Strategy. At
its final meeting, the Advisory Group reviewed a series of premises and priorities to be used
to develop a draft Skil s Strategy (2020-25) and to inform an associated action plan (circulated
as STC.20.126)
.
The Commit ee noted that more work was required but were happy to offer broad support for
the general direction of travel. Thanks were expressed to
and the Advisory
Group for the work undertaken thus far. An invitation was made for specific concerns and
comments to be sent directly to
.
2137.6 College Transfer Procedures
At the 28 September 2020 informal meeting of Senior Tutors, it had been agreed that the
College Transfer Procedures would be suspended until the division of Michaelmas Term
2020 in the first instance as a result of the ongoing upheaval arising from Covid-19. The
Panel, in trying to resolve outstanding cases, had found that Colleges were still finding it
dif icult to accept transfers and the Commit ee agreed to approve
a further extension to the
suspension of the formal procedures until the end of Michaelmas Term. It was noted that
suspension of the formal procedures did not preclude informal transfers being negotiated
between Col eges.
2138 Reports by the Chairs of the Standing Committees
2138.1 Business Commit ee
The Notes of the meeting held on 7 October 2020 were received (STC.20.127). Attention
was drawn to the fol owing items:
2138.1.2 Minutes 4.1 and 4.2: Membership of Standing and External Commit ees
The Commit ee approved the following appointments:
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2138.1.3 Minute 4.4: UG Admissions Complaints Panel
The Commit ee approved the changes to the terms of reference of the UG Admissions
Complaints Panel (STC.20.128). It was agreed that the suggested statement outlining where
liability for the Panel rested should be included at the earliest opportunity.
ACTION:
2138.1.4 STC Commit ee Representation Review
The Commit ee noted that, in recognition of the ever-increasing burden of commit ee
representation for Senior Tutors, the Standing Commit ee had agreed to conduct a review of
commit ee membership with a view to rationalising representation. A matrix of Senior Tutor
commit ee membership was received (STC.20.129) and Senior Tutors were asked to reflect
on the following questions with respect to commit ees attended on behalf of STC:
• That the commit ees they attended were accurately represented on the matrix.
• To consider whether it was a valuable use of their time to attend these commit ees on
behalf of STC – i.e. was there important business discussed that had significance for
Senior Tutors or to which they contributed significantly on STC’s behalf.
• To consider whether there was specific value that they brought to the Commit ee’s
discussion in their attendance as a Senior Tutor, or whether another Col ege officer
might be as well or better placed to contribute insteadIf they served on a commit ee
with an/other Senior Tutor/s, to consider if there was a good reason for more than one
Senior Tutor representing STC.
• To consider, in their view, whether the Commit ee was doing a useful and necessary
job.
Responses were to be provided to the administrative secretary via
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx@xxxxx.xxx.xx.xx by the 4 December 2020.
ACTION: All Senior Tutors
2138.2 Student Finance and Welfare
The Minutes of the meeting held on 12 October 2020 were received (STC.20.130).
Attention
was drawn to the fol owing items:
2138.2.2 Minute 4.3: AccessAble
The Commit ee received a proposal from AccessAble (STC.20.131) setting out the approach
and pricing for producing detailed access guides for the Colleges which would allow visitors
to know what access would be like when they visited Colleges. The Commit ee supported the
proposal in principle, noting that implementation would be at individual College discretion.
Senior Tutors were encouraged to take the proposals back to their Governing Bodies for
consideration.
ACTION: All Senior Tutors
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2138.2.3 Minute 4.4: Cambridge Bursary Scheme
Thanks were expressed to
for assessing all the applications.
The Commit ee further noted that the Strategic Working Group on Access and Participation had
agreed to close the scheme and that no further applications would be accepted.
2138.2.4 Minute 4.8: Disclosure and Barring Service
The Commit ee approved the changes to the template Safeguarding policy (STC.20.132),
noting that the document would remain under review.
2138.2.5 Minute 5: Social Distancing Guidelines from CSU
A paper and recommendations from CSU on fair enforcement of College codes of conduct in
the context of Covid-19 was received (STC.20.133). The Commit ee noted
the Standing
Commit ee’s discussion and that issues highlighted in the paper were most likely a matter of
language and presentation rather than practice
. Senior Tutors were asked to consider their
communications carefully, and in particular to ensure that students were ful y aware that no
disciplinary action would be taken against anyone who reported instances of harassment
and/or sexual misconduct occurring during breaches of Covid-related distancing guidelines.
ACTION: All Senior Tutors
2138.3 Education
The Minutes of the meeting held on 16 October 2020 are
enclosed (
STC.20.134). Attention
was drawn to the fol owing items:
2138.3.2 Minute ED.142-148/20: Certificate in Pre-Medical Studies
For its part, the Commit ee supported
the direction of travel outlined within the proposal to
deliver a Certificate in Higher Education in Pre-Medical Studies (STC.20.135). The Commit ee
noted that there were potential student loan implications for students. Furthermore, that the
Mature Strategy Group had considered the proposal at its recent meeting and that matters
relating to admissions may need to be brought back for consideration by the Admissions
Forum.
2138.3.3 Minute ED.158-162/20: Update on Changes to Student Immigration
The Commit ee noted that
, Head of the International Student Of ice had
presented an update to the Standing Commit ee on changes to student immigration
regulations. The Commit ee’s attention was particularly drawn to the Home Of ice change
from monitoring attendance to monitoring engagement. It was understood that a review of
current procedures was planned, and further details would be forthcoming. Guidance recently
drafted by
for the Graduate Tutors’ Commit ee was also circulated as a helpful
summary (STC.20.136).
2138.3.4 Minute ED.165-167/20: Publication of Class-Lists and Provision of Exams Data for Coleges
Noting the Standing Commit ee’s discussion, the Commit ee received the update on
publication of Class Lists and the provision of exams data for Col eges (STC.20.137).
2138.4 Graduate Tutors
The Minutes of the meeting held on 15 October 2020 were received (STC.20.138).
Attention
was drawn to the fol owing item:
2138.4.2 Minute 20.30.1: Issues relating to remote study
The Commit ee noted
the issues raised and that this had been highlighted to the Senior PVC
for Education and Head of Education Services. A reminder to Faculties and Departments had
since been issued and it was expected that this would resolve the issue; Senior Tutors were
urged to follow up with the Senior PVC for Education with any further concerns.
7
2139 Director of Undergraduate Admissions business
2139.1 Admissions Forum
The Minutes of the Admissions Forum meeting held on 12 August 2020 were received
(STC.20.139) for information.
2139.2 Undergraduate Admissions Committee
The Minutes of the meeting held on 5 October 2020 were received (STC.20.140) for
information.
2140 Reports from other bodies (
)
2140.1 Colleges’ Committee
The Minutes of the meeting held on 4 July were received and noted (STC.20.141).
2140.2 Colleges’ Standing Commit ee
The Minutes of the meeting held on 6 October were received and noted (STC.20.142).
2141
Other business
2141.1 Student mental health projects
Further to the recent email circulated by
, the Commit ee was
reminded of
two ongoing collaborations with MIND aimed at supporting student mental health:
Tools and Techniques for Student Mental Health Workshops Good Mood Café and Calm
Spaces
Leaflets were received (STC.20.143 and STC.20.144 respectively),
and Senior Tutors were
encouraged to promote the opportunities widely to students. Suggested wording to include
within communications to students has been drafted to support this (STC.20.145) and a
referral pack had been created for those in College welfare roles who wanted to understand
more about the projects and how to refer students (STC.20.146).
2141.2 MML Students repayment of Erasmus Grant
A query was raised about bursary students having been asked to repay an Erasmus grant by
MML, with an implication from the Faculty that the College would pick up the tab. It was
understood that 20-30 students had been approached for repayment. It was agreed that
further investigation was required and the Executive Secretary would take the mat er up with
the Head of the International Student Team and the Faculty.
ACTION:
2141.3 Resources for students: remote working study skil s
A query was raised about whether there were any resources for student study skil s on
managing remote working. It was understood that some librarians were running workshops
and that some general guidance was expected from CCTL but the Executive Secretary
agreed to follow up with CCTL.
ACTION:
2141.4 Supervisions and movement through tiers
8
A query was raised about how face-to-face supervisions would be prioritised as the collegiate
University moved through the tiers. The Chair noted that the assumption from the University
had been that non-essential in-person teaching included all supervisions and that these would
therefore all go online as the University moved through the tiers. Senior Tutors were asked to
advise the Executive Secretary should there be any subjects for which the continuation of in-
person supervisions would be considered essential.
ACTION: Senior Tutors
The Commit ee discussed the extent to which supervisions were already being held online. It
was agreed that this was a rapidly changing picture and varied across Col eges. Several
Colleges had undertaken straw polls which had indicated a considerable proportion (50-100%)
of supervisions had already shifted online.
2142
Next meeting
The Commit ee noted that the next meeting of the Senior Tutors’ Commit ee would take place
at 2.15pm on 27 November 2020
. A link to join the Zoom cal would be circulated with papers.
9
SENIOR TUTORS’ COMMITTEE
A meeting of the Senior Tutors’ Commit ee was held at 2.15 p.m. on Friday 27 November 2020 via
Zoom Conferencing.
2144
Declaration of Interests
There were none.
2145
Minutes and notes of previous meetings
The Minutes of the meeting of 30 October 2020 were received and approved
(STC.20.148).
2146
Matters arising and for report not itemised below
There were none.
2147
Starred items
The Commit ee unstarred agenda item 8.1.1: AccessAble. Other starred items were
approved.
2148
Chair’s and Secretary’s Reports
Secretary’s Report
The Secretary reminded the Commit ee that a number of drafts had been circulated in
relation to two issues: 1) ensuring students were not discouraged from reporting incidents
of misconduct/harassment at an event at which they may have breached Covid social
distancing guidelines and 2) considering sympathetical y the position of those students
who had left early before the second lockdown without permission. Senior Tutors had been
agreed on the overarching principles. However, it had not been possible to gain consensus
on the exact phrasing to be used to allow for agreement of a joint statement. The Secretary
encouraged al Col eges to use the drafts if they found them helpful, in whatever form they
felt appropriate, and if they so wished to publish their own statements based on the agreed
principles.
The Commit ee was alerted to the issue of workload and deadlines that had been raised
with the Secretary and others by the CSU sabbatical officers on behalf of students. Senior
Tutors were encouraged to approach issues of deadlines and workload with flexibility and
to promote this principle to DoS and Supervisors.
1
The Commit ee was reminded that candidates for certain categories of University Council
membership would be the subject of an imminent vote by members of the Regent House.
Commit ee members noted that
was standing for election and that it would be
very beneficial to have Senior Tutor representation on the Council.
2149
Principal items of business
2149.1
Covid-related business
The Chair expressed appreciation to
for all his work in representing Senior
Tutors on Covid related commit ees and matters.
reported on a number of matters. The following points were noted:
•
Senior Tutors were urged to encourage students to complete the recent survey
that had been distributed by the University on behalf of PHE. It was thought this
would yield important data. The initial response rate had been very encouraging.
•
That this data would feed into a large genomics project being led by
(COG-UK) which was already yielding very interesting information
about the way in which the virus had been transmit ed amongst students.
•
That a spike in the rate of infection amongst the student population was thought
to have resulted from two significant dates: Halloween and the day before the
second national lockdown had come into force.
•
The infection rate since this spike had been reducing, with very few positive
results arising from the asymptomatic screening programme in the preceding
week.
•
That PHE had been impressed at how well the collegiate University had
responded to the guidelines and restrictions, particularly students.
•
That Cambridge would be placed in tier two of government restrictions post-
lockdown and that marshals and a police presence would be increased across
the city to encourage compliance.
•
That many documents had been circulated in relation to end of term
arrangements. PHE had expressed a particular concern for the wellbeing and
mental health of students who would remain in Cambridge during the Christmas
vacation. Senior Tutors were encouraged to continue efforts in planning support
for such students. In particular PHE had indicated they were supportive of a
proposal for Col eges to introduce temporary household bubbles for those
remaining. PHE had thought the risks of spreading infection that this would
introduce were low compared to the benefits this would bring to those students
likely to be feeling particularly isolated over the period. It was however noted that
the circumstances of each College and how they operated over this period would
likely vary considerably.
•
That there was stil a good deal of uncertainty relating to arrangements for
students return in LT. There were a number of options being mooted but Russel
Group and UUK representatives were urging Government to ensure any
approach taken would not target restrictions for students beyond those imposed
on the general population.
•
That there was no direct evidence available on the level of transmission resulting
from supervisions, but that was likely because the data had not been collected
in sufficient detail. It was thought this may become clearer as a result of the PH
survey. Good ventilation was noted to be key in reducing the likelihood of
transmission.
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2149.2
Admissions 2021-22
The Director of UG Admissions and Associate Secretary for Admissions noted the following:
•
That an expression of thanks should be noted to
, her colleagues
in the CAO Admissions and Data Services Team and the Digital Admissions
and Moodle teams at UIS for their efforts in supporting this work.
•
That all pre-interview assessments had been completed. At-interview
assessments were ongoing.
•
That Moodle refresher training for experienced interviews had been running,
together with face to face training for new interviewers.
•
That overseas interviews were running and that unexpectedly most of the
issues had arisen as a result of problems with eduroam. This had raised some
concerns about the delivery of domestic interviews due to begin in earnest in
the second week of December.
•
That, noting the limitation of online interviewing particularly in STEM subjects,
hopes were expressed by the Associate Secretary that face to face interviewing
would resume the following year.
2149.3 Funding for Admissions Assessments from 2021 (Minute 2137.4, 30 October 2020)
The Commit ee was reminded that a letter was circulated to all senior College officers on 9
November 2020, on behalf of the Senior Officers of the Colleges’, Bursars’ and Senior Tutors’
Committees (received as STC.20.149)
.
Ongoing discussion since the previous meeting in various fora including SWAP had
highlighted that there remained significant reservations about the introduction of charging
applicants to take pre-interview assessments in 2021 (as had been mandated by the
Colleges’ Committee in December 2019). It was recognised that this cut across the progress
of the Strategic Review of Outreach and Admissions, and also that it ran counter to the very
positive widening participation work being undertaking, not least the Foundation Year, which
was due to be formal y launched in January 2021.
In light of this, the Secretary proposed that the decision on the future of admissions
assessments be suspended for one year and instead the Committee consider agreeing to:
a) increasing the charge for Overseas applications by, say, £30 (i.e. from c.£30 to
c.£60);
b) adopting the TMUA rather than the CTMUA (TMUA was already a charged test,
which was provided free of charge as CTMUA for growing numbers of
Computer Science applicants); and
c) continuing to restrict testing to those subjects where they were demonstrably
useful for deselection.
Senior Tutors were invited to provide feedback on this proposal and their internal College
discussions and amongst a number of points raised the following were noted:
•
That another year’s extension caused concern to some members of the
Committee.
•
That despite this unease, imposing radical reform at a time when GCSEs were
in flux and grade inflation would continue was also considered imprudent.
•
That value for money needed to be scrutinised more closely, particularly around
the logistics of delivering the tests which was where most of the costs arose.
•
That it was understood that around half of applicants failed to meet the standard
university of er level and consequently the possible introduction of Post
Qualification Admission (PQA) may have a significant impact on the number of
3
applicants and therefore the numbers of tests and the associated costs. (Post-
qualification offer-making would have no material impact, however). Members
were keen to see how this and other sector-wide developments played out
before agreeing a permanent arrangement for admissions assessments.
•
That the chargeable public examination model proposed at the previous
meeting might stil warrant further exploration; the concerns raised previously
around the optics of such a model might perhaps be addressed by introducing
rebates/waivers for WP candidates.
•
That one member had concerns about the impact of the cost of the TMUA on
overseas applicants who would also be paying double the application fees
under the above proposals.
•
That reversing the decision on charging for the test would require arguments to
be presented to Col eges' Commit ee to reverse its decision in 2018.
It was concluded that the Director of Undergraduate Admissions would draft a brief paper to
outline the projected costs of assessments continuing without any change, together with the
projected cost savings which might be achieved by enacting a) and b) above. The draft would
be circulated to Senior Tutors to allow for consultation and discussion between Senior College
Officers ahead of the Colleges’ Committee meeting on 5 December 2020.
ACTION: Director of Undergraduate Admissions
2149.4 Strategic Review on Undergraduate Admissions and Outreach
The Executive Summary of the Interim Report was received as STC.20.150, with the full
report available on the
SharePoint site.
The Secretary noted that other documents were in the pipeline, including a proposed model
for the reallocation of applicants across Colleges prior to interview which it was thought would
cause concern for a number of Colleges given it would not allow them to assess the full
gathered field of applicants naming them as first choice College.
Two Working Groups had been convened: one to consider Outreach proposals — this was
thought to be progressing well — and the other reviewing admissions processes. The
Secretary noted that the Strategic Review had yet to address a number of items considered
critical to Colleges, including governance, more extensive agreed thresholds for deselection,
IT systems, and cost efficiencies. It was understood that these concerns had been fed back
to the Review Group.
2149.5
Strategic Review of Student Mental Health Provision across Col egiate Cambridge
A paper outlining the aims, objectives and proposed governance arrangements for the
Strategic Review of Student Mental Health Provision was received as STC.20.151
. The
Commit ee endorsed the direction of travel and approved the appointment of
as Senior Tutor representatives on the Steering Group.
The Commit ee noted that the issue of out of hours mental health support had been
discussed at the Senior Tutors’ Breakfast Meeting in February 2020 and the Head of
Wellbeing,
, was keen to seek Senior Tutors’ views on what demand
there was for out of hours support for Colleges.
would contact Senior Tutors
directly for comment.
2149.6 Joint Working Group on Size and Shape
A note on a meeting between the Vice-Chancel or, the Chair of the Colleges’ Committee
and the Senior Pro-Vice-Chancel or about the Size and Shape Working Group was
received as STC.20.152a. The note was intended to identify and highlight points of
agreement between the Colleges and the University. A further paper outlining answers
to a series of questions on the matter that College members of the Working Group had
4
provided was also received as STC.20.152b.
The Secretary reported that there was continued divergence in aspirations around one-
year postgraduate taught versus research/doctoral student numbers with the Schools
broadly promoting growth in the former and Col eges aspiring to growth in the latter.
It was understood that these papers would provide the basis on which discussions would
continue.
2149.7
Assessment ET2021
, Head of Education Quality and Policy Of ice, provided a brief update on
planning and arrangements for assessment in Easter Term 2021. It was noted that al
summative assessment would be running, with the majority of examinations taking place
online. A few in-person exams would be held with the exceptional agreement of GBEC,
and Faculties and Departments with approved in-person exams had had to provide a
plan b) in the event that in-person exams were once again not possible. It was noted that
most students should have been notified by their Faculty or Department with confirmation
of assessment arrangements already. It was understood that the Exams Of ice had
shared the details of agreed assessment arrangements with College Tutorial Of ices and
members of the Commit ee requested a synopsis to be held via a stable URL that would
allow Senior Tutors to view the arrangements.
agreed to look into the feasibility
of this for the New Year.
ACTION:
The Chair thanked
and her team for the considerable ef orts they had made to
ensure robust assessment arrangements would be in place across the institution.
2150
Director of Undergraduate Admissions business
2150.1
Admissions Forum
The Minutes of the Admissions Forum meeting held on 16 October 2020 were received
as (STC.20.153).
At ention was drawn to the following item:
2150.1.1 Minute 20/118 Adjustment 2021: Criteria
The Committee noted the discussion on widening the scope of UCAS Adjustment for summer
2021. This had further been discussed at the November Admissions Forum meeting, which
narrowly voted in favour of the criteria being widened to two flags rather than three (which
would increase the size of the potential Adjustment field by c. 81% as il ustrated in the
circulated paper STC.20.154). The Forum voted overwhelmingly in favour of including
verified FSM status as a standalone flag, as with the In Care flag and also recommended the
discontinuation of the Open Offers scheme.
The Committee discussed the recommendations in detail and agreed that the verified free
school meals status would be included as a standalone flag but that the criteria being widened
to two flags rather than three (which would increase the size of the potential Adjustment field
by c. 81%) should not be progressed. The Committee was also supportive of discontinuing
the Open Offers scheme on the grounds that Adjustment met the same goals more
effectively.
2150.1.2 Undergraduate Admissions Complaints Panel Annual Report 2019-20
The Commit ee received and noted the Annual Report 2019-20 (STC.20.155).
5
2151 Reports by the Chairs of the Standing Committees
2151.1
Student Finance and Welfare
The Minutes of the meeting held on 9 November were received as STC.20.156
. Attention
was drawn to the fol owing items:
2151.1.1 Minute 3.2
The Commit ee was reminded that the AccessAble closing date is 18 December 2020 for
Colleges to ensure inclusion in the forthcoming round of surveys.
2151.1.2 Minute 4: Cambridge Of icers’ Training Corps (OTC)
The Commit ee noted the Standing Commit ee’s discussion, and that Senior Tutors may
be contacted by the OTC regarding the welfare of OTC enlisted students.
2151.1.3 Minute 7: Col ege Mental Health Provision Questionnaire
The Commit ee noted that access to the results from the Colleges’ Mental Health
Provision Questionnaire July 2020 had been made available:
http://smhw.chga.uk/
(username: user | password: work-from-home) and that Senior Tutors would be notified
of their College’s number by separate email following the meeting. Senior Tutors were
encouraged to consider and share their results within their Colleges. It was proposed that
the survey would be run annually, and work had already begun to produce the next
iteration.
The Commit ee also noted that the Wel being Team wished to circulate a Tutorial Survey
to be completed by Col eges to inform work on establishing a baseline of provision as
discussed at the Senior Tutors’ breakfast meeting on student mental health earlier this
year. A version incorporating feedback from the Standing Commit ee was received as
STC.20.157
. It was agreed that the survey would be circulated to Col ege Tutorial Of ices
via an online form at the end of term to allow for an earlier return than discussed at the
Standing Commit ee.
2151.1.4 Minute 8: Col ege Childcare Provision Survey (Good Practice)
The Commit ee noted the circulated paper (STC.20.158), authored by
,
CSU Welfare and Community Of icer, outlining good practice gleaned from the College
Childcare Provision Survey and particularly the desire of the Standing Commit ee to
support the proposed introduction of partner cards as outlined in the paper.
2151.1.5 Minute 9: Medical Evidence and Exam Access and Mitigation Commit ee
The Commit ee noted the circulated exchange between Secretary to the Exam Access
and Mitigation Commit ee and the Cambridge SU Disabled Students’ Of icer
(STC.20.159)
regarding medical evidence for alternative modes of assessment
applications.
2151.2
Education
The Commit ee noted that the meeting scheduled for 13 November 2020 had been
cancel ed owing to lack of substantive business.
2151.3
Graduate Tutors
The Minutes of the meeting held on 12 November 2020 were received as STC.20.160
.
At ention was drawn to the following items:
2151.3.1 Minute 20.40.4: Update on PG Funding Project
A paper authored by
was received as STC.20.161.
attended to
6
present the paper and to field questions.
The Commit ee discussed two issues of policy outlined within the paper:
a) The funding threshold to allow applicants to move Col ege automatically
b) Removal of the requirement of College preference to apply for College funding.
On a) there was limited discussion but, of those expressing a view, there was consensus
to maintain £5,000 as the appropriate funding threshold for automatic movement between
Colleges.
On b) Commit ee members were supportive in principle, with many indicating that there
was potential to derestrict some funding opportunities. However, a number of Senior
Tutors noted constraints that would prove problematic to making all funding opportunities
open-access and it was agreed that it would be for individual Colleges to consider and
decide which funding opportunities they would be wil ing/able to derestrict access to.
2151.3.2 Minute 20.40.5: Update on widening participation
The Commit ee noted the work being undertaken by
in the area of
diversity and widening participation within the postgraduate applicant and student body.
2151.3.3 College Al ocator Working Party (CAWP)
A proposal put forward by the CAWP to calculate the minimum number of doctoral
applications required for Colleges via the Al ocator was received as STC.20.162. The
paper had originally been circulated at the March 2020 meeting but had had to be
deferred due to the pandemic. The paper had been supported by the Graduate Tutors’
Commit ee on 27 February 2020 and had since been updated to include the most recent
admissions statistics. The Commit ee approved the proposal.
A complementary paper, commissioned by the CAWP, on Accept-Al Col ege status in
response to a question from the Accept-All Colleges themselves, was also received
(STC.20.163) for information.
2151.4
Business Commit ee
The Notes of the meeting held on 4 November 2020 were received as STC.20.164.
At ention was drawn to the following item:
2151.4.1 Minute 2.3: UG Admissions Complaints Panel
Following revisions to the Panel’s terms of reference approved at the previous meeting,
the Commit ee approved the appointment of
as Chairs of
the UG Admissions Complaints Panel from 1 October 2020 for three years and noted
had agreed to act as the third available Chair for the remainder of her existing
second term. Gratitude was extended to al three Senior Tutors for agreeing to serve as
Chairs.
2152
Reports from other bodies
2152.1
UCJC
The Minutes of the meeting held on 20 October 2020 were received for information
(STC.20.165).
2152.2
Colleges’ Committee
The Minutes of the meeting held on 31 October 2020 were received for information
(STC.20.166).
7
2152.3
Colleges’ Standing Commit ee
The Minutes of the meeting held on 17 November 2020 were received for information
(STC.20.167).
At ention was drawn to the fol owing items:
2152.3.1 CS.20.24: Progress update on the Strategic Review on Admissions and Outreach
The Commit ee noted the discussion.
2152.3.2 CS.20.25: Resourcing of the Of ice of Intercollegiate Services
The Commit ee noted that the role and resourcing requirements of OIS would be
reviewed in 2020-21. The Secretary had been asked to join the Working Group
undertaking the review.
2152.3.3 CS.20.26: Progress towards the reform of the Cambridge Bursary Scheme (CBS2)
The Commit ee noted the discussion and that clear intentions for bursary provision in 2021-
22 would need to be resolved quickly and would require proactive engagement from all
Colleges in the Lent Term 2021. It was understood that the two Colleges which had previously
dissented to the proposals had since indicated their agreement to participate. More would
follow as discussions progressed.
2152.3.4 CS.20.27: Progress updated on the Working Group on Size and Shape
The Commit ee noted the discussion.
2153 Other business
2153.1
Student Skil s Strategy (2020-25) and Action Plan (2020-21)
For its part, the Commit ee approved the circulated Student Skil s Strategy and Action
Plan (STC.20.168), which had been updated with minor amendments following
discussions at the last meeting. GBEC, for its part, had approved the document at its
meeting on 18 November 2020.
The Commit ee noted that a Skil s Working Group was being constituted to take forward
work during the current academic year, with a particular focus on matters relating to the
first year of undergraduate study. The Working Group would include Senior Tutors,
Directors of Teaching, professional services staff and undergraduate students and it was
intended to include a balance between STEMM and AHSS subjects.
2153.2 AOB
The UG CSU President asked that Senior Tutors made al students aware of the imminent
deadline for applications of an adjusted mode of assessment (end of full Michaelmas
Term).
2154 Next meeting
The next meeting of the Senior Tutors’ Commit ee would take place at
2.15pm on 12
February 2021. A link to join the Zoom call would be circulated with papers nearer the
time.
8
STC.21.23
SENIOR TUTORS’ COMMITTEE
A meeting of the Senior Tutors’ Committee was held at 2.15 p.m. on Friday 12 February 2021 via
Zoom Conferencing.
Declarations of Interest
There were no declarations of interest.
2156
Minutes of previous meeting
The Minutes of the meeting of 27th November 2020 were received and approved.
The Notes of the informal meeting held on 29th January 2021 were received for
information.
2157
Matters arising and for report not itemised below
2158
Starred items
The Commit ee approved the starred items (***).
2159
Chair’s and Secretary’s Reports
Chair’s report
The Chair (Vice Chancel or) reported on two primary matters:
1) The UK Government is due to issue guidance on students’ return to Universities on
22nd February 2021. As yet, the contents of the announcement are uncertain, although
UUK and the Russel Group are making ongoing efforts to gain more information.
1
2) The UK Secretary of State for Education has issued a letter to Lord Wharton, the
recently- appointed Chair of the Office for Students (OfS). The appointment of this Chair,
who has no prior experience in the Higher Education sector, is designed to be a “reset”
for OfS. There were some positive elements in this letter for Cambridge, namely a
commitment to risk-based regulation – that is, a recognition that OfS should not focus on
“high-quality” providers but on providers where there is cause for concern. The letter
also expressed desire to reduce bureaucracy. However, the Vice Chancellor expressed
concern that OfS might involve itself in matters of curriculum, highlighting statements in
the letter about free speech and academic freedom, particularly the suggestion that OfS
should challenge providers who implement policies which drop certain authors or texts
from the curriculum, insinuating movements such as “Decolonise the Curriculum”.
Secretary’s report
The Secretary reported on the following three matters:
1) The UK Government has announced additional funding intended for students facing
financial hardship as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, which Higher Education
providers wil be responsible for distributing to their students. Cambridge wil receive
£76k, and it is proposed applications, approvals and distribution be managed by the
same process as other Hardship Funding (i.e. via the Bell, Abbott, and Barnes
Committee, Postgraduate Hardship Fund, and Special Hardship Fund).
,
Head of Student Funding, wil write to all students and Senior Tutors to lay out criteria for
applications for these funds in the next week.
2) An audit of admissions assessments has been requested by the Colleges’ Committee
and Colleges’ Standing Committee. The overarching aim is to improve the efficiency of
the processes relating to deselection. Work is ongoing to put together a Steering Group
for this purpose.
3) There wil be an informal meeting of the STC on Friday 19th February (in one week) at
4.30pm. It wil be an opportunity to meet with the external provider, SUMS Consulting, of
the Strategic Review of Mental Health Provision.
2160
Principal items of business
2160.1
Covid-related business
2160.1.1
Reports from recent meetings
The Chair gave thanks to
for their work on the
University's Covid-related Committees.
reported the following:
• Reiterating information from the Chair’s report, Covid-related business is
somewhat in hiatus until 22nd February, when the Government will issue
guidance on students’ return to Universities. In the next STC meeting, in four
weeks’ time (12th March), there should be more to discuss.
• At the Covid Management Team meeting, The Director of Health and Safety (
focussed on mental health and wel being – every member of the
University has been affected differently by this pandemic and many are bottling
up issues and not coping well.
encouraged Committee members to
look at the resources detailed in the Vice Chancellor’s email sent on 11th
February. The Vice Chancellor agreed that all members of the University must be
forgiving of ourselves and colleagues, remaining conscious of how we are
2
interacting and reacting under these difficult circumstances.
• A small number of Committee members highlighted an issue with the
Asymptomatic Testing Programme within their Colleges: cases of a household
test returning a positive result but all subsequent individual tests on members of
that household returning negative results. The Chair and
responded
that this is a known issue that has been occurring since the programme’s
inception. It is the nature of the test and is to be expected, so no action wil be
taken.
2160.1.2
Student Return
(Cambridge Students’ Union) presented a College Returns Policy from
the Students’ Union
(STC.21.03), regarding the approach Colleges have been
taking, and should take, when responding to students who present cases to be
allowed to return to Cambridge in Lent term despite national lockdown. The
Committee discussed the poor-practice and best-practice examples and
recommendations given in the paper:
• The Cambridge Students’ Union would support the model adopted by several
colleges, whereby students requesting to return for mental health reasons do
not require a doctors’ note or other “professional” proof, but must have
conversations with their Tutor(s) to fully understand the reality of returning to
Cambridge. Other Colleges also take this approach.
• Other Colleges have received abuse on social media and in the student press in
response to their cautious approaches to these cases. Misinformation seems to
be present in the student body about the processes involved and the number of
cases.
• Al parties - the Students’ Union and Committee alike – recognise the need for
critical engagement with cases for return, and the need for transparent and fair
processes, including appeals. However, all recognise that each College is
different and there cannot be one blanket application and approval process
across all Colleges.
• The Committee supported the two recommendations in the paper, finding them
reasonable and practicable.
2160.1.3
Assessment
provided an update on Assessment in Easter Term (2020-21):
• Senior Tutors wil have received a paper detailing revised plans for
assessment via the Key Issues bulletin.
• The exam period overall has been extended until 2nd July. Priority students’
(final-year undergraduates and postgraduate taught students) exams will still
take place in the usual exam period.
• There has been no decision yet on the possibility of in-person (rather than
online) exams for some subjects, and the possibility of online proctoring is stil
being considered.
• The General Board’s Education Committee (GBEC) has decided that all
assessment wil be summative and that exam results wil appear on students’
transcripts.
• The progression requirements for Years 1 and 2 are being waived. However,
Colleges can stil review and enter into conversation with individual students
who are underperforming at the end of their first or second year.
• Departments have been invited to consider discretionary options, such as
using pass/fail rather than numerical marks for certain papers, and
reconsidering dissertation titles in considering limited access to libraries.
• Attention is being given to cohort equity, ensuring that classification
3
distribution in 2020-21 remains in line with recent years (except 2019-20).
There is no standard way to do this – it wil be different for each Tripos.
• Several Committee members envisage large numbers of students in College
residence at the time of assessments, expressing concerns about the
feasibility of maintaining exam conditions in College. Suggestions were made
about potential College exam halls, recognising potential issues such as
ventilation.
•
agreed to take these comments into account and consider issuing
some advice to Colleges about how to manage online assessments for
students residing in Colleges.
ACTION:
2160.2
International Student Recruitment Strategy
presented a draft International Student Recruitment Strategy received by
the Committee
(STC.21.04). Key points of this presentation and discussion were as
follows:
• The Strategy has already been seen at the Undergraduate Admissions
Forum, Postgraduate Admissions Committee, and University Admissions
Committee.
• The overall aim of the strategy is not currently to increase the number of
international students or applications, but to encourage high-quality
applications from more diverse countries and across a broader range of
subjects, partially given the projected decrease in EU student applications in
response to Brexit.
• Overall, the Senior Tutors’ Committee welcomes this strategy, particularly its
regard for diversifying the range of subject areas to which international
students apply.
• It was highlighted that it would be helpful to read this Recruitment Strategy
alongside the Graduate Union's International Student Experience Report,
which was presented to Postgraduate Admissions Commit ee the previous
day.
(Cambridge SU Postgraduate President) would be happy to
bring this report to this Committee.
• The Chair raised that there should be more regard for Widening Participation
in the Strategy.
• Multiple Committee members reiterated the importance of financial support in
international student recruitment. For the strategy to be successful, and for
Cambridge to remain competitive with US and other Universities, there must
be provision of bursaries, scholarships, and/or other financial support for
international students. Colleges and the University must work together to offer
this provision.
confirmed that CUDAR (Cambridge University
Development and Alumni Relations) are aware of the International Student
Recruitment Strategy and are awaiting the finalised version before beginning
to fundraise for the associated financial support.
• With these comments noted, the Committee supported the International
Student Recruitment Strategy.
2160.3
Cambridge University Foundation Year
provided a paper
(STC.21.05) and presented on the launch of the
Cambridge University Foundation Year:
• The Foundation Year was launched on 13th January 2021, with pertinent
media coverage.
• Currently, consideration is being given to how the Foundation Year might
4
become a springboard for student recruitment, attracting teachers and
applicants alike. There has already been a virtual event held for 200 teachers
who showed interest in the initiative.
• The Vice Chancellor thanked
for her work on the Foundation Year
and on preparing for the launch, which went extremely well.
2161
Reports by the Chairs of the Standing Committees
2161.1
Student Finance and Welfare
The Minutes of the meeting held on 25th January 2021 were received
(STC.21.06).
Attention was drawn to the following items:
2161.1.2
3.2. Bystander Initiative
The Committee noted the Standing Commit ee's discussion, particularly that the
Head of Student Wellbeing is investigating funding for this initiative for the academic
year 2021-22.
2161.1.3
4. Race Equality Charter Self Assessment Team Meeting, 30th November 2020
The Committee supported the Standing Committee's recommendation that a poll be
carried out at an upcoming STC meeting regarding Race Equality training provision
in Colleges.
2161.1.4
9. Administrative Support for College Nurses
The Committee noted the Standing Committee's recommendation that Colleges
consult with their nurses regarding potential need for administrative support, and take
appropriate action where necessary.
2161.2
Education
The Minutes of the meeting held on 29th January 2021 were received
(STC.21.08).
Attention was drawn to the following items:
2161.2.1 Minute ED.11-17/21: Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology Tripos
Noting the Standing Committee’s discussion, the Committee was invited, for its part,
to support the proposal
(STC.21.09) to revise the Chemical Engineering and
Biotechnology Tripos. The following comments were made:
• Some Senior Tutors are concerned about the proliferation of Triposes
increasing academic siloization, rather than encouraging interdisciplinarity.
• However, Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology is not a new Tripos (and
wil not increase overall student admissions), but a rationalisation of the route
into the Tripos from the first year of study. Should this proposal come to
fruition, it would allow applicants to apply specifically for this Tripos, sharing
50% of their first-year curriculum with Part IA maths, and 50% being new
Tripos-specific content. Currently, students must apply for and study either
Natural Sciences or Engineering at Part IA, beginning their Chemical
Engineering Tripos at Part IB.
• One Committee member raised that this revision should be a positive step in
Widening Participation: Chemical Engineering attracts diverse applicants, but
the current unclear entry routes prove inaccessible for some.
• Noting these comments, the Committee supported the proposal.
2161.2.2 Minute ED.18-21/21: Design Tripos
Noting the Standing Committee’s discussion, the Committee was invited, for its part,
5
to support the proposal
(STC.21.10) for a new Tripos in Design (MDes).
the Course Director, presented a general introduction to the Tripos and
responded to specific queries raised:
• Considering the concern raised in the prior discussion of the Chemical
Engineering and Biotechnology about increased siloization and proliferation of
Triposes,
highlighted that the Design Tripos has been developed
in close collaboration with Engineering, and Materials Science and Metallurgy,
aiming to broaden students’ interdisciplinary study rather than propagate
silo’s.
• One Committee member queried the very specific entry requirements for
Design listed in the proposal: that applicants must be studying for A-levels in
Maths, one essay-based subject, and one science subject.
clarified that the intended requirements were for Maths to be compulsory, but
there is flexibility in the other A-level subject requirements. A typical
application may include one essay-based and one science subject, but it is
not a requirement to have both.
agreed to adjust the proposal
wording for future purposes, to accurately reflect entry requirements.
ACTION:
• With these comments noted, the Committee supported the proposal.
2161.2.3 Minute ED.33-37/21: Global Executive Masters of Business Administration (GEMBA)
Noting the Standing Committee’s discussion, the Committee was invited, for its part,
to support the proposal
(STC.21.11) to deliver a new route of the Executive Masters
of Business Administration (EMBA) partly in China as the Global EMBA. The
following points were raised:
• The GEMBA is intended to be a 20-month part-time programme, delivered
50% in Shenzhen and 50% in Cambridge, primarily at weekends. Teaching
hours would be the equal to those for the standard EMBA.
• Committee members echoed the concerns raised in Education Committee
around air travel: the carbon footprint/environmental impact of GEMBA
students flying between locations multiple times per year does not seem
aligned with the University’s Environmental Sustainability Strategy.
• There may also be issues around the College tutorial input required for
GEMBA students, such as the provision of financial advice and health
support. Therefore, there needs to be careful clarification of the intended
pastoral support to be provided in Cambridge and in China.
• Although this Committee is not the appropriate place for this discussion, the
idea of charging a premium College fee to GEMBA students has been
mooted.
• The Commit ee agreed to send these comments to the Judge Business
School, provisionally supporting the GEMBA proposal if these concerns are
addressed.
ACTION:
2161.3
Graduate Tutors
The Notes of the informal forum held on 28th January 2021 were received
(STC.21.12).
Attention was drawn to the following item:
2161.3.1
5. Hotel quarantine payments
The Committee noted this discussion. Committee members agreed to continue the
discussion of how to deal with cases where students must quarantine in hotels after
arriving in the UK from certain countries outside of this meeting.
2161.4
Business Committee
6
The Notes of the meeting held on 13th January were received
(STC.21.13). Attention
was drawn to the following item:
2161.4.1
3. Review of Senior Tutors Representation on Commit ees across Collegiate
Cambridge
The Committee noted this discussion. The Secretary reported that following a full audit
of all University Committees with Senior Tutor representatives in their membership, it
had not proved possible to reduce the number of Senior Tutor representatives on
committees. The Senior Tutors’ Business Commit ee wil , however, circulate a brief for
Senior Tutors’ Committee representatives, to clarify the expectations of this
representation.
2161.5
Director of Undergraduate Admissions business
2162.1
Admissions Forum
The Minutes of the Admissions Forum meeting held on 22nd January 2020 were
received
(STC.21.14). Attention was drawn to the following items:
2162.1.1
21/06 School Leaving Examinations Situation
The Commit ee noted the discussion, particularly that:
• Offers for 2021 entry were made in the knowledge that cancellation of
examinations for UK students was probable
• The University's response to the Consultation emphasised the importance of
keeping students learning for as long as possible.
2162.1.2
21/07 Review of the Round
The Director of Admissions updated on the admissions round and the review process
so far, including feedback from an applicant survey, as well as on Digital Admissions:
• A full report wil be provided in due course, but preliminary indications from an
applicant survey with over 400 participants indicates how positively this
academic year’s interviews were viewed by applicants.
• The final offer breakdowns have not been confirmed, but it would appear that
Colleges have been conservative in offer-making as recommended.
• Consideration is being given to how to conduct the next round, working closely
with University Information Services.
• With awareness that some Colleges wish to implement entirely digital
admissions in 2021-22, the Director of Admissions urges all Senior Tutors to
not make any public announcements on this topic until internal reviews are
completed.
•
formally requested that the Undergraduate Terms of Appointment be
included in the review of the round. Christ’s College would like to make
comments on these, both in specific and general terms.
2162.1.3
21/10 Admissions Assessment Update
The Director of Admissions reiterated the message from the Secretary's report that
a Steering Group is in the process of being established to consider this matter.
2162.1.4
21/13 Cert HE in Pre-Medical Studies
The Committee supported the recommendation from Admissions Forum that
admissions be dealt with via an open application and open offer route, with final
College allocation made in August for the very small number (approximately three)
7
of students expected.
2162.2
Undergraduate Admissions Committee
The Minutes of the Undergraduate Admissions Committee held on 16th November
2020 were received
(STC.21.15). Attention was drawn to the following items:
2162.2.1
7. Strategic Review of Undergraduate Admissions and Outreach
The Commit ee noted that there has been more recent progress in both working
groups, with interim reports expected soon.
2162.2.2
12. Planning Round Projections
The Commit ee noted that estimated places for 2021 entry provided by Colleges
align with School ambitions as expressed via the planning round.
2163
Reports from other bodies
2163.1 Colleges’ Committee
The Minutes of the meeting held on 5th December 2020 were received
(STC.21.16).
2163.1
Colleges’ Standing Commit ee
The Minutes of the meeting held on 17th November 2020 were received
(STC.21.17).
Attention was drawn to the following item:
2163.2.1
CS.20.26 Progress towards the reform of the Cambridge Bursary Scheme (CBS2)
reminded the Committee that comments on the proposed reform of CBS2
must be made by 30th April 2021.
2163.2
Postgraduate Admissions Committee
The Minutes of the meeting held on 5th November 2020 were received
(STC.21.18).
2163.4
Steering Group on the Strategic Review of Mental Health Provision
The minutes of the first two meetings of the Steering Group on the Strategic Review
of Mental Health Provision, from 8th December 2020
(STC.21.19) and 8th January
2021
(STC.21.20) were received.
2164
Other business
2164.1
Suspension of the College Transfer Process
, Chair of the College Transfer Panel, proposed that the College Transfer
Process be suspended until the end of the academic year. A primary motivation for
suspending this process is that with the current Covid-19 situation, many Colleges
are not in a position to readily accept new students.
The Commit ee supported the decision to suspend this process.
Ongoing cases (i.e. where an initial case was put forward by a student or their
College before this meeting) wil continue to resolution.
2164.2
External Affairs and External Regulations update
The Commit ee received a report from
, detailing recent significant
external affairs and external regulations updates
(STC.21.21).
8
2165
Next meeting
The next meeting of the Senior Tutors’ Committee wil take place at
2.15pm on 12th
March 2021. A link to join the Zoom call will be circulated with papers nearer the time.
9
STC.21.40
SENIOR TUTORS’ COMMITTEE
A meeting of the Senior Tutors’ Committee took place at
2.15 p.m. on
Friday 12th March 2021 via
Zoom videoconferencing.
UNRESERVED MINUTES
2167 Declaration of Interests and apologies for absence
2168 Minutes of previous meeting
The Minutes of the meeting of 12th February 2021
(STC.21.23) were approved.
2169 Matters arising and for report not itemised below
2170 Starred items
The Committee approved the starred items (***).
2171 Chair’s and Secretary’s Reports
Chair’s Report
The Vice Chancellor welcomed
, who wil take up the role of Senior Tutor
at Queens’ College, and thanked
, the previous role holder. He also
highlighted that a message relating to international travel, arising from conversations with the
Russell Group and England’s Chief Medical Officer, was sent by email to all Senior Tutors
earlier in the day, and should be noted.
Secretary’s Report
reiterated the importance of the international travel information mentioned by
the Chair, and advised that the message should be sent to all students, who must consider very
carefully before travelling abroad. She also updated that the Steering Group on Admissions
Assessments (focusing on their use, purpose and cost), has had their first meeting, and begun
collecting materials and considering key questions, with work ongoing.
The Secretary asked the Committee to support the Charlie Waller Memorial Trust’s offer to
develop Mental Health Training for Tutors, and to encourage newer tutors to make contact with
the CWMT. She also highlighted that the Trust can offer support to students directly, which may
be especially helpful during the upcoming vacation.
, from the
Student Wellbeing team, wil circulate a link to all Senior Tutors with more information on the
CWMT.
ACTION:
1
Finally, the Secretary brought to the Committee’s attention that there have been claims from
student representatives that some Colleges are charging conference rates to students for
accommodation over the vacation. As was the case over the Christmas vacation, given current
travel restrictions, students should only be charged the standard term-time rate on their rooms;
and if this causes them hardship, they should apply for relevant funds from College and
elsewhere. Therefore, Senior Tutors are asked to ensure that students are being charged the
correct rate.
ACTION: Senior Tutors
2172 Principal items of business
2172.1 Covid-related business: Reports from recent meetings
reported the following information:
• Most people at the Committee meeting wil have been present at the Covid Taskforce
briefing earlier in the day, so there is no need to repeat that information.
• The number of Covid-19 cases in Cambridge is currently very low: 24 per 100,000 in
total, and in Central Cambridge specifically, figures are too low to be specified. This
presents a broadly optimistic outlook for Easter term.
• However, caution is stil essential ahead of next term: although there have been very
few positive cases in Cambridge this term, we have been in national lockdown.
Therefore, there is a possibility of outbreaks once restrictions start easing on 12th April.
• The University’s Covid Helpdesk is changing its approach to contact tracing. The current
approach is “forward tracing”, i.e. identifying the direct contacts of a student with a
positive Covid test to ensure that they also self-isolate. The new approach wil be
“backward tracing”, i.e. conducting an extensive interview with the infected person to
identify source of infection. This approach was developed in Korea and Japan after the
2003 SARS pandemic. It is very effective but also labour intensive – so it may not be
possible to sustain if there is a large outbreak.
The Chair thanked
for his work on the University’s Covid groups.
2173 Director of Undergraduate Admissions business (
)
2173.1 Admissions Forum
The Minutes of the Admissions Forum meeting held on 19th February 2021
(STC.21.24) were
received
. Attention was drawn to the following items:
2173.1.1 Minute 21/30: Update on 2022 Admissions Cycle
reported on progress in this area:
• A survey wil be sent to all Colleges, to identify areas of agreement and difference in
College’s plans for timings, types of trainings, and more. It is intended to establish a clear
direction of travel in the next two to three weeks, so Colleges should expect to take part
in this circulation very soon.
• Work is ongoing on Digital admissions, particularly on the Cambridge Online Preliminary
Application (COPA) and Supplementary Application Questionnaire (SAQ). Currently,
thought is being given to which questions should be asked, whether current questions are
relevant, etc.
2173.1.2 Minute 21/32: Undergraduate Open Days 2021 Proposal
asked that Senior Tutors liaise with their Admissions Offices to determine whether an
element of in-person Open Days (specifically College tours) might be possible in July or
September.
ACTION: Al Senior Tutors
• One Senior Tutor asked, as per the Postgraduate Admissions Committee suggestion
later in the agenda, if it may be possible to roll together Undergraduate and
2
Postgraduate open day options.
agreed that this should certainly be considered
as a route forward.
• Other Senior Tutors expressed concern that there may be a third wave of Covid-19
infections and/or that Government restrictions on in-person events may be re-
introduced, preventing the possibility of in-person open days.
responded that
the September open days take the form of College tours for offer holders, rather than
mass open days for prospective applicants, so even with restrictions on large
gatherings, events with smaller numbers of participants may be allowed. In any case,
most Colleges are - and should be - planning for both possibilities, of physical and
virtual open days.
2173.2 Undergraduate Admissions Commit ee
The Minutes of the Undergraduate Admissions Commit ee held on 1st February 2021 were
received
(STC.21.25). At ention was drawn to the following items:
2173.2.1 Minute 7: Strategic Review of Undergraduate Admissions and Outreach
reported that:
• Following a meeting of the full Strategic Review, there seems to be a clear direction for
both outreach and admissions. Ahead of the next Senior Tutors Committee meeting,
should be able to provide more detailed information, particularly on the Area Link
Scheme on the outreach side, and re-allocation models on the admissions side.
• The matter of admissions and outreach governance is now being considered by a
working group organised by the VC and the Chair of the Colleges Committee.
2173.2.2 Minute 12: Ofqual consultation on awarding of grades
The Committee noted that the key points in the collegiate University’s response appear to have
been taken on board in the recently announced outcomes of the consultation.
2174 Reports by the Chairs of the Standing Committees
2174.1 Student Finance and Welfare (
)
The Minutes of the meeting held on 22nd February 2021 were received
(STC.21.26). Attention
was drawn to the following items:
2174.1.1 Item 3.2: Colleges Mental Health Provision Questionnaire
The Committee agreed that the questionnaire (which is administered annually, as agreed in 2019-
20) should be managed locally (as it was in July 2020) rather than centrally; i.e. it should be sent
out by individual Colleges to their students. The Commit ee approved circulation of the survey,
after clarifying the content of the questions.
responded to a question around privacy and students’ possible apprehension around
sharing their mental health information with their Colleges, agreeing that an introduction would
be added to the questionnaire, reassuring students that whilst Colleges wil receive reports on
the findings of the questionnaire, no information wil be identifiable.
ACTION:
2174.1.2 Item 4.1: Office for Student Conduct, Complaints and Appeals Annual Report 2019-20
The Commit ee noted
the 2019-20 OSCCA Annual Report
(STC.21.27) and the Standing
Commit ee's discussion.
2174.1.3 Item 4.2: Report and Support
The Committee noted the Standing Commit ee's discussion, and that a more finalised report wil
be provided by
by circulation over the coming weeks.
2174.1.4 Item 6: Disabled Students' Commission Annual Report 2020-21
The Commit ee noted the DSC Annual Report 2020-21
(STC.21.28), with particular attention
drawn to the recommendations at the end of the report.
3
2174.1.5 Item 8: Student Advice Service Annual Report 2019-20
The Committee noted the SAS Annual Report 2019-20
(STC.21.29).
2174.1.6 Item 11: Racism in Medical Education
The Committee noted the Standing Commit ee’s discussion.
2174.2 Education (
)
The Minutes of the meeting held on 26th February 2021 were received
(STC.21.30). Attention
was drawn to the following items:
2174.2.1 Minute ED.56-60/21: Libraries Accessibility Service
Noting the Standing Commit ee’s discussion, the Commit ee note the overview of the service
(STC.21.31).
reported: that the purpose of this paper is to raise awareness of this
service. It launched in November, with aim of helping disabled students to access libraries,
including College libraries. It includes provision for print and screen readers. Students have to
be registered with the Disability Resource Centre to use the service, but after that point access
should be automatic.
The Chair wishes to pass on thanks to
and the team at the University Library for their
quick and thorough work on this.
2174.2.2 Minute ED.72-75/21: Investigating and addressing awarding gaps in the context of Collegiate
Cambridge
Noting the Standing Commit ee’s discussion, the Committee noted the next steps for the early
stage of the project
(STC.21.32).
elaborated that research is currently being
undertaken by Cambridge Centre for Teaching and Learning on awarding gaps, especially with
regards to Black British students, and students with declared mental health issues. It is being
highlighted at this Committee to ask if any Colleges have already looked into this issue. All Senior
Tutors are asked to discern whether any of this work has been done in their College, and if so,
to contact
by email.
ACTION: all Senior Tutors
2174.3 Graduate Tutors (
)
The Minutes of the meeting held on 25th February 2021 were received
(STC.21.33). At ention
was drawn to the following items:
2174.3.1 Minute 21.06.1 PG Open Day – consultation
The Committee noted the Standing Committee’s discussion.
reported that:
• The Postgraduate Open Day wil take place online, allowing attendance from prospective
applications across the globe - which is important in the content of the International
Student Recruitment Strategy presented at the last Commit ee meeting (Minute 2160.2,
12th February 2021).
• However, Colleges may also offer in-person visits.
thanked
for the
suggestion that these may be rolled in with Undergraduate offer-holder open days.
•
shared a link to a short survey for Senior Tutors to complete immediately
after the meeting
(https:/ cambridge.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3sKH7nZwfHpEbSm).
2174.3.2 Minute 21.06.2 Admissions numbers
The Commit ee noted the Standing Commit ee’s discussion, and that this matter is likely to be a
focus at the next Commit ee meeting (21st May 2021). As an initial introduction:
• Postgraduate admissions are up 16% year-on-year (a 10% increase in Doctoral student
admissions, and 20% in other Postgraduate student admission). Colleges had set the
target of increasing uptake by 10%, so these figures are excellent.
• The Al ocator Group had raised issue that applications were not being received as quickly
at less well capitalised Colleges as at their better capitalised counterparts. However, since
this issue was raised, changes have been made and the process is flowing very quickly.
4
.
2175 Reports from other bodies (
)
2175.1 ***Colleges’ Standing Commit ee
The Minutes of the meeting held on 26th January 2020 were received
(STC.21.34).
2175.2 Postgraduate Admissions Committee
The Minutes of the meeting held on 11th February 2021 were received
. Attention was drawn to
the following item:
2175.2.1 Minute 1521: Widening Participation
The Committee noted this discussion.
2175.3 ***Steering Group on the Strategic Review of Mental Health Provision
The Notes of the meeting held on 5th February 2021 were received
(STC.21.36).
2175.4 ***University and Colleges’ Joint Commit ee
The Minutes of the meeting held on 2nd February 2021 were received
(STC.21.37).
2176 Other business
2176.1 Annual Report on College Transfers
The Committee noted a report detailing the use of the College Transfers Procedures in
Academic Year 2019-20
(STC.21.38).
2177 Next meeting
The next meeting of the Senior Tutors’ Commit ee wil take place at
2.15pm on 21st May 2021.
A link to join the Zoom call wil be circulated with papers nearer the time.
5
STC.21.66
SENIOR TUTORS’ COMMITTEE
A meeting of the Senior Tutors’ Committee was held at 2.15pm on Friday 21 May
2021 via Zoom Conferencing.
UNRESERVED MINUTES
Declarations of interest
There were no declarations of interest
2180 STC Membership and representation
The Commit ee welcomed
) as deputy
for
respectively.
2181 Minutes of previous meeting
The Minutes of the meeting of 12 March 2021
(STC.21.40) were approved.
2182 Informal STC meetings
The Commit ee noted the items that had been discussed at informal STC meetings
in the 2020-21 academic year.
• Covid-19 asymptomatic testing
• Contingency planning for the future of the academic year
• The use of face coverings in supervisions
• Lecture handouts
• Student Experience in the Pandemic: STEP towards Mental Health and
Wellbeing
• Contribution to University Library investment in ebooks
• Printed lecture notes
• Admissions interviews in December 2021
• OSCCA’s Report and Support Tool
• Residence requirements and examination arrangements for Easter 2021
• Revision of the formulae of presentation at Graduation
• Update on the University Counselling Services
• The Mental Health Review interim report
• The draft response to Post-Qualification Admissions consultation
The Commit ee noted that at the informal STC meeting on 16 April 2021, it had been
agreed that the admissions interviews for the 2021 recruitment should take place
online. The Committee also noted that it had been agreed at a meeting on 30 April
2021 that
collegam was appropriate for the presentation of University officers,
College Fellows taking degrees under Statute B II 2 and
scholarem was the preferred
term for presenting students or former students.
2183 Chair’s and Secretary’s Report
Chair’s Report
The Pro-Vice Chancellor summarised draft plans for teaching in Michaelmas 2021.
While the intention would be to encourage students to come to Cambridge and
undertake as much in-person teaching as possible, there was an assumption that
some students overseas wil face dif iculties travelling to Cambridge. It was likely that
lectures would be recorded throughout Michaelmas and that social distancing would
remain in place. The Committee were invited to comment upon the paper and asked
to send substantive feedback to
.
There was a discussion about the plans for the next academic year, with a particular
focus upon online learning. The Committee heard that there has been positive
engagement with recorded lectures which are an important tool for accessibility.
Hope was expressed that the progress made in this area would be maintained.
There was an acknowledgement that the student body might expect lecture
recording to continue. Concern remained however, that if all teaching were available
online, students may be reluctant to return to Cambridge.
The Commit ee broadly supported the outline of the plans for the next academic
year. The Chair stressed the importance of being as clear as possible when
communicating with offer-holders and current students about plans. Communications
would go out to these groups in July.
Secretary’s report
reiterated the importance of encouraging students to take part in
the asymptomatic testing programme (ATP) at the University. It was noted that the
ATP is a research project and it is therefore important for reasons of research ethics
that participants are not coerced into engaging. The Committee discussed the
challenges associated with this and that while encouragement could be provided,
restrictions could not be placed upon those who did not engage with the ATP. The
current participation rate at about 55% was higher than in other similar programmes
and was a significant proportion of the student population. Concerns were expressed
about further addition of pressure on students who are facing exams. It was noted
that Colleges could use the data about participation in ATP to inform their internal
risk assessments and that participation in events could be made dependent upon a
negative lateral flow test result, and on result at a college-population level, but not an
individual level.
informed the Commit ee that the audit of Admissions Assessments
is ongoing.
2184 Principal items of business
2184.1 E-books for teaching and learning
reported that the Levies Panel had approved the request for financial
support to purchase e-books. The situation was complex and needed monitoring, but
the overall assumption was that Colleges would reduce spending on printed books to
meet this cost, and Senior Tutors were encouraged to support the reduction in their
library’s budget.
2184.2 Supervision Rates
The Commit ee noted that supervision payment rates would not increase for the next
academic year, in line with academic pay. It was acknowledged that this related to
wider conversations on supervisions across the Collegiate University. A group had
been established to engage with discussion with the Universities and College Union
and the Cambridge SU on this matter. This group included
.
2184.3 Digital Admissions
The Commit ee noted the progress report
(STC.21.42) and a background paper
(STC.21.43) on the history and aims of the project.
explained that this is the
first report on this topic and that work is focussed upon preparation for the next
admissions round and the production of digital candidate files.
reported that
the Levies Panel is expected to approve additional funding for the project, but that
more work is needed to establish satisfactory governance arrangements. The
Committee heard that the establishment of a separate project board not involving
those working on digital admissions was being discussed.
2185 Reports by the Chairs of the Standing Committees
2185.1 Senior Tutor Education Committee (
)
The minutes of the Standing Committee on Education held on 30 April 2021 were
received
(STC.21.44).
Attention was drawn to the following items:
2185.1.1 Minute ED.98-102/21: Redesign of the Education Tripos
outlined the proposals to redesign the Education Tripos
(STC.21.45).
The plan enabled greater flexibility for students and had received positive feedback
following consultation. The Commit ee supported the proposal and
agreed to ascertain whether there would be a preliminary examination ahead of Part
2 of the course.
ACTION:
2185.1.2 Minute ED.103-113/21: Student Mobility
The Commit ee noted the paper about the Turing Scheme
(STC.21.46) and the
proposal from the Faculty of Law
(STC.21.47) to expand their partnerships for
student exchange programmes.
Concern was expressed that the Turing Scheme would not be as comprehensive as
the Erasmus Scheme had been and it was noted that schools and colleges could
also bid for funding from the Turing Scheme. While contingency plans existed for the
next academic year, there was some apprehension about the future. The Chair
thanked all those who had been involved in working on the Turing bid.
2185.1.3 Minute ED.120-130/21: Contracts for Undergraduate Supervisors
summarised the Senior Tutors’ Education Committee’s discussion on
this topic and stressed that it had focussed upon the educational impact of the
proposals. In particular, the Committee indicated that a change in the system in the
direction advocated in the paper would almost certainly lead to less opportunities for
postgraduate students to get critical teaching experience. This would mean that
postgraduate students would lose a set of valuable transferrable skil s. At the same
time, undergraduates would lose the current variety of voices that is so important to
their student experience within the academy. This reduction of the number of diverse
voices in undergraduate education and of career-enhancing opportunities for
postgraduate students constitutes a serious concern. There were concerns that
changing the current system would lead to a reduction in the number of individuals
employed by the colleges to supervise their undergraduate students. It was noted
that it was beneficial for undergraduates to be taught by a range of supervisors,
something that the current system allows. It was also noted that it remained
important to provide supervising opportunities for postgraduate students since this
supports them to develop transferrable skil s. It was acknowledged the flexibility
allowed to undergraduate students (and much valued by them) may lead to
potentially challenging late changes of plan for supervisors. It was suggested that
perhaps a common code of conduct might be useful.
The Commit ee questioned the authorship of the paper they had received on this
topic
(STC.21.48).
It was agreed that this would be clarified.
ACTION:
Since the meeting, we have confirmed that the paper was written by representatives
from the UCU and CSU
2185.1.3 Minute ED. 131-134/21: Cambridge Field Course
The Commit ee supported a proposal to run a ‘catch-up’ field trip in September 2021
(STC.21.49) for students studying Plant Sciences and Zoology which required a few
students to be in residence in late September.
2185.2 Graduate Tutors’ Committee (
)
The minutes of the Graduate Tutor’s Committee held on the 29 April 2021 were
circulated
(STC.21.50).
Attention was drawn to the following items:
2185.2.1 Item: 21.16.1 Matters relating to postgraduate admissions to Colleges
The Commit ee noted that the College allocator was currently doing a good enough
job, but that further discussion was needed, and taking place, on its working. The
Committee heard that plans existed to accommodate the increased number of
Masters students to be admitted in the 2021-22 admissions cycle, and that there had
been conversations among the Senior Tutors of the three accept-all Colleges about
the intended addition of Lucy Cavendish College into this group. The Committee
supported the changes in principle, but noted that additional detailed discussions at
all levels were needed before these items could be formally approved.
2185.3 Student Finance and Welfare (
)
The minutes of the meeting held on the 26 April 2021 were received
(STC.21.51).
Attention was drawn to the following items:
2185.3.1 Item 4: Care+
summarised the paper which drew attention to the challenges met by
current students and recommendations for improvement. The Committee agreed that
the Care+ recommendations
(STC.21.52) should be circulated to Colleges.
ACTION:
2185.3.2 Item 6: Race Equality Training
Committee members were asked to note the Legal Affairs and Employment Sub-
Committee recommendation that Colleges organise race equality training locally.
Members were reminded that the Office of Intercollegiate Services had circulated
advice about recommended providers of race equality training.
2185.3.3 Item 7: Anti-Casualisation Group
reported that the Student Finance and Welfare Committee had focussed
their discussion on welfare issues associated with this as they did not have expertise
in contracts. The Committee had felt strongly that it was important to stress that
teaching was optional for students and that clarity about the amount of work
individuals should take on would be helpful. There was a discussion about finance
and that teaching should be used as supplementary rather than essential income
during studies. There was an acknowledgement that this was an issue that required
further Senior Tutor input.
volunteered to join the Anti-Casualisation
Working Group.
2185.3.4 Item 8: Disability Resource Centre (DRC) Annual Report, 2019-20
The Student Finance and Welfare Committee noted the significant service provided
by the DRC and the demands upon it. The Chair reported that this was being
discussed as part of the strategic review of mental health provision.
It was noted that the Black Advisory Hub would launch that evening and attendance
was recommended to Committee members.
2185.3.5 Item 11 Maintenance Rates 2022-23
The Committee approved the publication of the proposed maintenance rates for
2022-23 after the meeting by circulation.
2185.4 Business Committee (
)
The Commit ee approved the following appointments:
The Chair thanked those who had volunteered to take on the new positions above
and also those who had served on those committees previously for all of their hard
work.
The Commit ee elected
to the Senior Tutors’ Business Committee.
The Commit ee received for information an overview of Senior Tutor representation
on committees (
STC.21.54) and a descriptor of the role of representatives
(STC.21.55).
2186 Undergraduate Admissions Matters
2186.1 Undergraduate admissions governance
The Secretary provided an update to the Commit ee and reported that the Vice
Chancellor and the Chair of the Colleges’ Commit ee had organised four separate
working groups to
1. Consider possible principles for partnership between the Colleges and the
University. This group had been exploring similarities and dif erences between
the admissions systems at Oxford and Cambridge.
2. Focus upon management arrangements.
3. Explore the division of labour and management roles.
4. Consider the role that University Teaching Of icers have in college life,
undergraduate teaching and potentially wider issues of admissions and
recruitment.
explained that the first three working groups were due to report by
the end of term and that the fourth working group would require more time before
reporting. The Committee noted that some of the groups’ work involved surveying
Senior Tutors.
2186.2 Post-Qualification Admissions (PQA) Consultation
expressed gratitude to all those who had worked on this, with
particular thanks to
who had chaired the working group that
produced the response to the consultation. The response that was submit ed made it
clear that the University was keen to work with the Department for Education on
plans for designing a post-qualification admissions system. The PQA Working Group
still exists and had previously produced a paper about the range of PQA options that
exist. They had now been joined by
as representative of the STC,
and they wil continue to work on this and to communicate with the Department for
Education.
The Chair thanked those who had worked on the PQA consultation and has been in
touch with the Department for Education to offer the University’s ongoing
engagement, which has been accepted.
2186.3 Undergraduate Admissions Committee
The minutes of the Undergraduate Admissions Committee held on the 15 March
2021 were received
(STC.21.57) and attention was drawn to the following items:
2186.3.1 Item 11. Overseas Application fee
The Commit ee noted the approval of the increase in the fee to £60 for the 2022
admissions cycle.
2186.3.2 Item 12. Applications and Offers on the Current Round
informed the Committee that the annual admissions statistics for the
2020/21 round had been published and that there has generally been a positive
response to these, especially the figures relating to ethnic minorities. The Collegiate
University largely exceeded the targets that it had set for 2024/25 and it may be
asked to increase them.
2186.3.2 Undergraduate Admissions Forum.
The minutes of the Undergraduate Admissions Forum held on the 30 April 2021
were received
(STC.21.58) and attention was drawn to the following items:
2186.3.2.1 Item 21/43 Matters Arising
The Commit ee noted the approval of the move from CTMUA to TMUA following
consultation with the Computer Science Directors of Studies Committee.
2186.3.2.2 Items 21/45 and 21/46 Arrangements for the next Admissions round
The Commit ee heard that there has been an announcement that the next
admissions round would be held virtually as detailed in the most recent teachers’
newsletter.
reported that a communications plan exists for the overseas interviews
which will go ahead in the next admissions round to supplement College offerings.
The Commit ee noted criticism about the way that the overseas interviews had
worked and that with support from the Admissions Forum, a working group has been
established to consider the way overseas interviews could work in the future. It was
agreed that this working group would report back to the Senior Tutors’ Committee.
2186.3.2.3 Item 21/48 Strategic Review of Admissions and Outreach
The Commit ee noted the positive progress made with Outreach-related proposals
and that changes that impact both strategy and delivery are expected in the final
report from the Review which will be received by the Colleges’ Committee and
University Council who co-sponsored the review. Approved recommendations would
be considered and developed in relevant committees in the future.
2187 Reports from other bodies
The Commit ee received the minutes from
• College’s Committee
(STC.21.60-61)
• Colleges’ Standing Commit ee
(STC.21.62-63)
• University and Colleges’ Joint Committee
(STC.21.64)
• Postgraduate Admissions Committee
(STC.21.65)
2188 Starred items
The Commit ee approved the starred items.
2189 Other business
2189.1 Foundation Year Admissions Handbook
The Commit ee endorsed the Foundation Year Admissions Handbook.
2190 Date of next meeting
The next meeting of the Senior Tutors’ Committee wil take place at
2.15 on 16th
July 2021.
A link to join the Zoom call wil be circulated with papers nearer the time.
advised the Committee of an informal meeting of the STC on the
18 June 2021.
General Board’s Education Committee
Committee membership 2021/2022
(a) the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Education), as Chair
(b) A representative nominated from each School and appointed by the General Board, of whom a
number, to be determined by the Board, shall also be members of the General Board.
(c) two persons appointed by the Senior Tutors' Committee, one of whom shall normally be the
Chair of the Standing Committee on Education.
(d) two members of the Postgraduate Committee, appointed by the General Board.
(e) one member of the Examination and Assessment Committee
(f) one member of the Steering Committee for the Cambridge Centre for Teaching and Learning
(g) one member of the Committee on Student Health and Wellbeing
(h) the Undergraduate Access, Education and Participation Officer
(i) the Postgraduate Access, Education and Participation Officer
(j) up to two additional co-opted members
Secretary:
* indicates membership of the General Board
555
General Board of the Faculties
Education Committee
A meeting of this Committee was held at 14.00 on Wednesday 21 October 2020, via
Zoom.
There were no declarations of interest.
555.1 Minutes
The minutes of the meetings held on 21 July and the extraordinary meeting held on 2
October 2020 were approved.
555.1.1
Matters arising
Minute 553.5.5, July 2020: Establishment of the Postgraduate Committee
The Committee noted that the Postgraduate Committee held its first meeting on 13
October 2020.
Minute 554.1.5, October 2020: Student Surveys
The Committee noted that the Minister of State for Universities had written to the
Office for Students asking it to review the National Student Survey to ‘ensure it
supports the maintenance of high standards while providing reliable data on the
student perspective’ and to respond to criticisms about its cost and bureaucracy. The
Office for Students had launched a consultation, to which the University would
respond.
555.1.2
Items since last meeting agreed by circulation or Chair’s action
Chair’s action 27 July 2020
Approved a change to the Masters in Architecture and Urban Design to add an
assessment required by the Royal Institute of British Architects.
Approved arrangements for teaching the MPhil in Genomic Medicine in 2020-21.
Chair’s action 18 July 2020
1
Approved arrangements for teaching the MRes in Connected Electronic and
Photonic Systems in 2020-21.
Chair’s Action 3 August 2020
Approved the proposal from the Institute of Continuing Education to teach in 2020-21
the Advanced Diploma in Research Theory and Practice in English (Engineering or
Business Management) through synchronous and blended teaching methods with no
further changes to the programme.
Chair’s Action 6 August
Approved proposals for the History and Modern Languages Tripos to be taught by
online lectures, small group teaching and supervisions online or in person.
Circulated business 7 August 2020
In May the Committee had approved a proposal from the Institute of Continuing
Education for an EdX MicroMasters module, to be taught online, which matched a
module on one of the modules on the MSt Writing for Performance. It was agreed
that students who successfully completed the EdX MicroMasters module and who
applied to that same MSt will be given advanced standing, i.e. credit, for the module
they had already completed. This approval was granted for 2020-21 only.
In August the Committee approved a proposal to extend that approval for a further
year in 2021-22 to enable students to make that progression on to the MSt. It was
also agreed the cap on 50 students progression would also be lifted.
In approving the proposals, it was noted that the ‘MicroMasters’ term remains
problematic and the course documentation should make clear that it is not a Master’s
degree. Members also advised that the course should be reviewed after Year One
and Year Two.
Chair’s action 18 August
Approved the proposals for teaching for the MSt in Real Estate.
Chair’s action 3 September
Approved a request from the Department of Veterinary Medicine to hold resit exams
in-person in September and October 2020, in the light of the Royal College of
Veterinary Surgeons’ preference for proctored exams.
555.1.3
Chair’s report
The Chair welcomed
as a new member of the Committee, in her
position as the Chair of the Senior Tutors’ Committee Standing Committee on
Education.
Covid-19
The Chair noted the difficult circumstances related to Covid-19 that made the start of
the academical year more challenging, and thanked colleagues across the University
and the Colleges for their work in welcoming students back to the University. The
University’s Covid Gold meetings continued to monitor infection rates, and kept
under review the approaches of other universities to managing student cases.
2
555.2
Starred items
The Committee approved the starred item, Academic Standards and Enhancement
Committee Revised Terms of Reference (
E6295).
555.3
Strategic Discussion
555.3.1
Assessment in 2020/21
The Committee considered proposals for changes to modes of assessment from
Faculties and Departments in light of Covid-19 in line with the guidance document
circulated at the previous meeting
(E6282).
555.3.1.1
a) School of Arts and Humanities
The Committee
agreed that
• the Music Tripos performance exams should be held in person with a
contingency plan in place if this could not be delivered
• the beginners’ language papers for students on the Anglo-Saxon, Norse, and
Celtic Studies Tripos should be held in person; officers would confirm whether its
contingency plan for a 90-minute timed online exam could be delivered
• the beginners’ language papers for the Asian and Middle Eastern Studies
(AMES) Tripos should be held in person with priority given to those taking papers
for Part IA and Part II if capacity was limited. Members noted that if possible there
should be alignment with students taking similar papers for the Modern and
Medieval Languages and Linguistics Tripos, for which the Committee had agreed
exams should be held in person. The Committee declined to approve the
contingency plan for exams with online invigilation and asked the Faculty to
revise its proposal, given that it remained unclear if online proctoring would be
available. It was suggested that the Faculty might wish to note that some
language exams had added a commentary section to the paper to mitigate the
risk of academic misconduct..
Action: Officers and the representative of the School of Arts and Humanities to bring
a revised contingency plan for the AMES Tripos beginners’ language papers for the
Committee’s approval.
b) School of Biological Sciences
The Committee
agreed that
• the Psychology and Behavioural Studies Tripos exams would be timed online
exams
• the Natural Sciences Tripos biological papers should mostly be timed online
exams; a problem-based biochemistry paper for Part II would be an in-person
exam, and its contingency plan would be a time limited online exam
• the Natural Sciences Tripos pathology exam would be prepared as a practical
exam, and its contingency plan would be an online practical
3
• the exams for the Medical and Veterinary Sciences Tripos would be held as in-
person exams to meet the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons’ (RCVS)
requirements for proctored professional exams; this requirement meant that there
was no contingency plan and it was agreed that the Department of Veterinary
Medicine would continue to work with the RCVS to find a solution. Some in-
person exams would be held online with devices in a proctored location.
•
Action: Officers and the representative of the School of Biological Sciences to
work with the Department of Veterinary Medicine to identify an appropriate
contingency plan for Veterinary Sciences Tripos papers.
c) School of Clinical Medicine
The Committee noted the experience of the School in delivering in-person online
exams in recent months and its recommendation that printed copies of papers
should be available for contingency purposes. The School continued to develop
proposals for clinical exams, some of which had complex requirements involving
vulnerable patients.
Action: Officers and the representative of the School of Clinical Medicine to bring
further detail of the proposed clinical exams and its contingency plans for the
Committee’s approval.
d) School of the Humanities and Social Sciences
The Committee noted that
• the Education Tripos exams would be held online except for two papers related to
drama production and theatre practice which would be held in-person. The
proposals would be considered by Chair’s action when contingency plans were
available.
Action: Officers and the representative of the School of the Humanities and Social
Sciences to bring contingency plans for these Education Tripos papers for
consideration by Chair’s action.
e) School of Physical Sciences
The Committee
agreed that
• the Natural Sciences Tripos physics papers would be held in-person, except for
Part IA, with a contingency plan for timed online exams of three and two hours,
and with a preference for online proctoring if subsequently agreed
• the Natural Sciences Tripos chemistry papers would be held as timed online
exams for Part IA
• the Mathematics Tripos papers would be held in-person, with a contingency plan
for timed online exams and with a preference for online proctoring if subsequently
agreed.
The Committee
agreed in principle that the Natural Sciences Tripos Earth Sciences
exams would include five in-person practicals, but that a contingency plan must be
approved by the Committee.
Action: Officers and the representative of the School of Physical Sciences to bring
contingency plans for NST Earth Sciences practicals for the Committee’s approval.
4
f) School of Technology
The Committee
agreed in principle a further small number of in-person exams for
the School’s MPhil programmes but that contingency plans must be approved by the
Committee.
Action: Officers and the representative of the School of Technology to bring
contingency plans for MPhil exams for the Committee’s approval.
555.3.1.2
Interim report on the Online Proctoring Project
The Committee received an interim report on the feasibility using of online proctoring
in Easter term 2020-21 (
E6285). Online proctoring services generally either used live
camera feeds or used artificial intelligence to track students’ eye movements. A
number of Faculties and Departments had made a strong argument for online
proctoring should they be required to hold their exams online for problem-based
papers, and it was understood that it would help address students’ concerns about
the security of the exams process. It was
agreed that maths and physics exams in
January would provide an opportunity to pilot online proctoring given that the
relevant cohort were no longer in residence. The Committee also
agreed it should
receive a more defined proposal at the next meeting.
Action: Officers to continue defining the available options and to pilot online
proctoring in exams in January 2021.
555.3.1.3
Examination delivery 2020-21
The Committee consider further proposals related to the delivery of examinations in
2020-21 (
E6286).
Upon discussion, the
Committee
agreed that where exams are
held within Faculties and Departments, they should submit a Covid risk assessment;
that exam start times may differ from the norm; and that the number of exams per
venue may be reduced.
Members considered the mechanism for moving from Plan A assessments to
contingency Plan B, noting that the timeframes would depend on assessment type
and whether re-timetabling was necessary. It was recommended that all exams
should be placed on Moodle for contingency purposes if possible. The Committee
agreed that the start times for online exams should be staggered to manage Moodle
load and better distribute UIS staff support, and that if contingency plans to move in-
person exams to online exams are enacted, the Exams Office should review the
timetable.
The Committee agreed an approach to timed online examinations, and welcomed
the proposed model for managing breaches of permitted time but noted that students
might systematically take advantage of the extra 10-minute upload window to
continue writing without penalty. The Committee asked to receive a further revised
version of the model at a later meeting. The ‘next steps’ also proposed in the paper
were approved and it was agreed that it should form the basis of a general exams
communication to Faculties, Departments and students.
5
Action: Officers to present a revised model for managing breaches of timed online
exams at a later meeting.
Action: Officers to develop a general exams communication to Faculties,
Departments and students based on the paper.
555.3.2
Foundation Year admissions proposal
The Committee considered the proposed principles of admission to the Foundation
Year Programme (
E6287). The course, an Undergraduate Certificate in Higher
Education in Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, is due to launch in January 2021
with the first cohort of students matriculating in Michaelmas 2022. The Committee
considered and was reassured that while not all applicant markers would apply to
mature students, the use of UCAS tariff points would ensure the programme was
sufficiently accessible to them.
The Committee
agreed the principles of admission to the Foundation Year
programme, and the proposed model for students’ eligibility.
555.3.3
Skills survey and action plan
The Access and Participation Plan specified a review of skills provision during 2019-
20 in order to develop a new strategy for academic, employability and life skills. The
Committee received a draft strategy, developed by an Advisory Group, and which
was also subject to approval at the Senior Tutors’ Committee (
E6288). The strategy
would be developed iteratively and reviewed annually.
The Committee agreed with the premise that knowledge and skills were dependent
but that the term ‘skills’ was a broad concept that could be further defined, with
further discussion of employability skills and academic skills. It was also agreed that
the strategy should cover both sub-degree students and postgraduate-taught
students. A number of Schools already provided support for students’ skills
development at postgraduate level and it was suggested that the strategy should
incorporate how those resources could be developed.
Action: CCTL officers to revise the draft strategy in response to the Committee’s
comments.
555.3.4
Office for Students Coronavirus monitoring and reporting
The Committee noted a letter from the Office for Students (OfS) to universities to
inform them that they can expect the OfS to contact them should they change from
the Department of Education’s coronavirus management tier 3 to tier 4 (
E6288a).
The Committee considered how the University would inform students of any changes
to teaching that could result from changing tier and noted that some universities had
not needed to make changes to teaching provision even though they had changed
tier, since much depended on local circumstances and the advice of local health
officials. The Committee agreed that staff and students would welcome greater
clarity on how teaching might differ in each tier.
6
Action: Officers to ensure that further guidance is issued to staff and students on the
relationship between Covid management tiers and teaching arrangements.
555.4
Business items
555.4.1
Proposals from Institute of Continuing Education (ICE)
The Committee considered proposals from ICE to change programme delivery for
2020-21 and 2021-22 (
E6289). It noted that ICE was already receiving queries from
students about whether they would be required to travel to Cambridge for study in
Lent and Easter term in 2021, and it was the Institute’s intention that it would provide
in person-teaching to those who preferred it. Students who continued to learn online
would be the first to graduate with an online-only MSt from the University. There
were reservations about the adequacy of online resources available to non-
matriculated students and it was agreed that ICE should work with Cambridge
University Library to confirm appropriate materials and access. The Committee
agreed that all postgraduate programmes offered by ICE should provide students
with the option for fully remote study during 2020-21 only.
The Institute also proposed that its undergraduate programmes should be taught
both online and in person in 2021-22, with students able to study entirely by either
means or switch between the two. The Committee
agreed to the proposals on the
proviso that is should receive monitoring reports about the quality of provision.
Action: EQPO officers to agree an appropriate monitoring report format and
frequency with ICE for undergraduate programmes in 2021-22.
555.4.2
PGR supervisors
555.4.2.1
Proposal for Supervisor Training Working Group
The Committee considered proposals for the creation of a Working Group to
investigate internal and external requirements for PGR supervisor training as
recommended by a recent internal audit, and to recommend models for delivery
(
E6290). The Group would explore how other universities train supervisors, and
develop a set of options for the University. The new Postgraduate Committee had
agreed to support the working group.
The Committee
approved the proposals for a Supervisor Training working group
reporting to the Postgraduate Committee and
agreed it should consider the working
group’s final proposals.
555.4.2.2
Guidance for Degree Committees
The Committee received revised guidance for Degree Committees updated following
the recent review of governance arrangements for postgraduate students and in light
of the internal audit in PGR supervision (
E6291). The changes related to student
supervisor ratios, contact and reporting.
7
The Committee
approved the revised sections of the guidance
555.4.3
Guidance for Undergraduate Exams
The Committee considered updates to the Guide for Undergraduate Exams in
response to a requests from the Office of the Independent Adjudicator following a
complaint that revealed irregular retention of exam data and a record of exam
processes (
E6292).
While the Committee appreciated that suggestion that the ‘guide’ could become
requirements, it declined the proposal because the guide had been intended to have
a different function.
The Committee advised that it welcomed clarification on data retention requirements
but asked for further specificity about the records to be created and retained. It was
suggested that a University-wide exam-data retention policy might be welcomed.
Data retention should continue to focus on maintaining records of the exam process,
and less so records of academic judgement. Members noted that the Guide’s
suggestions that examiners place a mark on each page of a script was inappropriate
for online exams and would welcome further guidance on this.
Members
agreed to a minor update to the Guide that departmental responses to
external examiner reports should be provided to Exams and Assessment Committee
for oversight, instead of to GBEC.
Action: Officers to further revise the Guide and recirculate it to members for sign-off.
555.4.4
Time limits on the availability of recorded lectures
The Committee received a paper from the Teaching, Learning and Assessment
2020-21 Working Group discussing the appropriateness of time-limiting the
availability of recorded lectures (
E6293). Members acknowledged the desire of a
minority of Faculties and Departments to limit availability to lectures to encourage
students to pace their learning across the term, but agreed strongly with the principle
that learning resources should be appropriately accessible.
The Committee
agreed that recordings should be assumed to be available for the
whole year, save if the Faculty or Department determined to limit availability for a
minimum of a term and two additional weeks.
Action: Officers in EQPO should inform Faculties and Departments, encouraging
those with any concerns to provide advice and support to students on pacing their
studies.
555.4.5
Guardian University Guide 2021
The Committee determined that the Participation Data Advisory Group (PDAG)
should provide detailed advice on the results of the Guardian University Guide 2021
(
E6294).
8
Action: Officers in EQPO to gather advice from PDAG on the Guardian University
Guide 2021.
555.4.6
Academic Standards and Enhancement Committee Revised
Terms of Reference
The Committee
approved the revised terms of reference for the Academic
Standards and Enhancement Committee (
E6295).
555.5
Minutes of other committees
555.5.1
Foundation Year project board
The Committee noted the minutes of the Foundation Year project board held on 15
July, 16 September, and 12 October 2020 (
E6296a-c).
555.5.2
Postgraduate Committee
The minutes of the Postgraduate Committee held on 13 October 2020 were not yet
available and would be presented to the next meeting.
555.5.3
Academic Standards and Enhancement Committee
The minutes of the Academic Standards and Enhancement Committee held on 13
October 2020 were not yet available and would be presented to the next meeting.
Date of Next Meeting
The next meeting of the Committee will be on19 November 2020.
9
556
General Board of the Faculties
Education Committee
A meeting of this Committee was held at 14.00 on Wednesday 18th November 2020,
via Zoom.
Declarations of interest
No declarations were made.
556.1 Minutes
The minutes of the meeting held on 21 October 2020 were approved with
amendments to clarify that Item 555.3.1.1 related to the Physical and Natural
Science Tripos. It was agreed that the model for managing breaches, as detailed in
Item 5.5.5.3.1.3, would be re-circulated to the Committee.
556.1.1***Matters arising
Items since last meeting agreed by circulation or Chair’s action
Postgraduate Certificate in Sustainable Business
The Chair approved a request for the second and final residential period for the
Postgraduate Certificate in Sustainable Business to be delivered wholly online for
2020-21. This period was scheduled for late November and inappropriate given
lockdown conditions.
Proposals for assessment 2020/21
Contingency arrangements for the following examinations were approved by either
Chair’s or Officers’ action:
• AMES Tripos beginners’ language papers
• Veterinary Science Tripos papers
• Education Tripos
• NST Earth Sciences practical exams
556.1.3
Chair’s report
Student workload
The Chair referred to discussions with Cambridge Student Union about student
workload. The Student Union has voiced concerns about the impact of the
pandemic on students’ mental health and capacity to work and have requested
greater flexibility with regards to workload and submission deadlines. The
Committee recognised that Colleges are already providing support to students.
agreed to discuss this with Senior Tutors and
representatives from Schools agreed to reflect on whether localised communications
would be helpful.
Action:
(i)
to refer this matter to the Senior Tutors
(ii)
School representatives to reflect on the need for School level
communications.
OfS consultation
The Chair reported that the OfS has very recently published plans for a significant
consultation about assessment of quality, which includes a proposal to change a
number of conditions of OfS registration. As the deadline for submission of a
response is before its next meeting, the Committee agreed to consider a draft
response by electronic circulation. The consultation and its outcome will inform the
Committee’s work, including in relation to Learning and Teaching Reviews.
highlighted the need for part-time and mature students to be considered in
the consultation response.
556.2 Starred items The Committee approved the starred items.
556.3 Strategic discussion
556.3.1
Teaching and Assessment 2020-21
556.3.1.1
Proposal for an Online Proctoring pilot
The Committee considered a report on online proctoring and recommendations
made therein (E6297). The Committee noted that where in-person exams are
scheduled, any decision to move to online examinations (Plan B) will be made by the
COVID Gold Team, taking account of a change in tier, which in turn will be made in
consultation with PHE. The Gold Team recognises the need for a lead time to
implement Plan B arrangements. As things stand, the in-person examinations for
Physics scheduled to take place in mid-January will take place, although the Gold
Team will review this in early January if necessary.
The Committee approved the proposals to trial online proctoring solutions for the
Maths PtIII/MAst and formative Engineering examinations in January 2021 (E6298A
and 6298B), noting the need for resource in UIS to be available to support the trials.
The Committee agreed to review the results of the trials and consider further use of
online proctoring solutions at its meeting in February 2021.
2
556.3.1.2
Proposal for revised modes of assessment for 2020/2021
Following concerns raised by the Disability Resource Centre, the Committee
revisited the framework for assessment for 2020/21. These concerns involve the
use of open book examinations lasting 3 or 6 hours, as all students taking these
examinations will have the same amount of time with no additional time provided to
disabled students. It was recognised that a large number of examinations this year
are expected to be 6 hour examinations and students are likely already to have been
informed of the mode of examination. After much discussion, the Committee agreed
the following:
(i)
3 and 6 hour open book examinations will remain.
(ii)
Students who need additional time will be given it. For 3 hour examinations the
additional time window will be 5 hours and for 6 hour examinations the
additional time window will be 9 hours.
(iii) Students who are given additional time can apply for an alternative mode of
assessment if they feel unable to take the examination within the extended time
window.
commented that a nine hour window would extend beyond the opening
hours of the Moodle helpdesk. A similar issue was raised about the availability of the
helpdesk to support examination activity over weekends and on bank holidays.
agreed to take this forward with UIS.
Action:
to liaise with UIS regarding availability of Moodle support
556.3.1.3
Academic misconduct
The Committee supported a proposal to review current policy and process relating to
academic misconduct in the light of changes to modes of assessment in 2020/21.
Action:
the Education Quality and Policy team to conduct the review.
556.3.1.4
Consideration of arrangements for captioning for online lectures
The Remote Teaching Learning and Assessment Working Group referred a number
of matters relating to captioning for online lectures to the Committee, seeking a
definitive position on the use of captioning (E6301). It was recognised that some
students, particularly students with disabilities, might benefit from captioning, and
this was already being provided to some students by the DRC. However, the system
used to capture the captions, Panopto, is very limited, often resulting in captions that
are inaccurate. Some academic members of the Committee voiced unhappiness
with the low quality of the captions; the Committee was clear in its view that
academic staff should not be expected to review and correct captions.
The Committee held a long discussion but was not able to reach a unanimous
conclusion as to whether captioning should be mandatory for all online lectures.
Through a vote the Committee decided that captioning should not be made
mandatory, and that lecturers should be free to decide whether to use the captioning
software.
3
The Committee also agreed that the wider use of software which provides captions
to individual students, currently being trialled through the Disability Resource Centre,
should be explored.
Action:
to investigate wider use of the individual caption software.
556.3.2
Strategic review of mental health services across the Collegiate
University
The Vice-Chancellor has commissioned a strategic review of mental health provision
to consider what services should be available and how those services should be
made available (E6302). The Committee agreed to nominate
to
represent the Committee on the Steering Group overseeing the review. Following a
question from
, the Chair confirmed that non-matriculated students were
outside the scope of the review.
556.4 Business items
556.4.1
Approval and recommendation to General Board of a Master’s in
Architecture
For its part, the Committee approved the establishment of a Master’s in Architecture,
to replace the current MPhil in Architecture and Urban Design (E6303), and agreed
to recommend this to the General Board, noting that this would bring the University
in line with other provision within the sector.
556.4.2
Approval and recommendation to General Board of a Certificate in
Higher Education in Pre-Medical Studies
The Committee considered a proposal for the establishment of a Certificate in Pre-
medical Studies (E6305). Although supportive in principle, members asked for
assurance that students taking the course will be eligible for admission to the
University’s MB programme, and will be eligible to receive funds from the Student
Loan Company for both programmes. The Committee agreed to approve the
proposal subject to confirmation of these matters.
556.4.3
Changes to the external quality assurance of degree apprenticeship
gave a brief report on the impact of changes to the regulatory oversight
of apprenticeships, which now come under the remit of Ofsted, and agreed to
provide a more detailed plan at the next meeting.
556.4.4
Proposal to move to online course delivery from the Cambridge
Institute for Sustainability Leadership
The Committee approved a proposal from the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability
Leadership to move to online course delivery for 2020/2021, noting that if possible
some elements of the MSt might also be held in person (E6307).
556.4.5
Guidance for undergraduate exams
The Committee considered further revisions to the Guidance for undergraduate
Exams, taking account of feedback provided at the previous meeting (E6308).
Members agreed that further clarity was needed about the expectations for Faculty
Boards on annotated scripts and retention of materials containing commentary on
4
academic judgement. Recognising that the revision of the guidance follows a
recommendation from the Office of the Independent Adjudicator (OIA), to which a
response is required, the Committee agreed to ask the Head of the Education Policy
and Quality Office to respond to the OIA and to consider the guidance again at its
next meeting.
Action:
to prepare a response to the OIA
556.4.6
Student Skills Project: Strategy and Action plan
The Committee approved the strategy and action plan (E6309) and noted the
establishment of a Working Group.
556.4.7
Proposal to extend pause LTR until 30/9/2022
outlined the proposal from the Academic Standards and
Enhancement Committee to extend the pause in Learning and Teaching Reviews.
Consultation with Faculties and Departments was impacted by the pandemic, and
the pause will allow a full consultation to take place, taking account of necessary
changes in place this year. In the meantime the Academic Standards and
Enhancement Committee will continue to monitor quality, primarily through review of
External Examiner reports. The Committee approved the proposal.
556.4.8
Admissions and Outreach Review
The Committee received an interim report on the review of undergraduate
admissions and outreach (E6311).
556.4.9
***Office for Students’ Business Plan 2020-21
The Committee noted the Office for Students’ Business Plan 2020/2021 (E6312).
556.4.10
***National Student Survey – review response
The Committee noted the University’s response to a recent review of the National
Student Survey (E6313).
556.4.11
***Changes to student immigration matters
The Committee noted the update on student immigration provided by the
International Student Office (E6314).
556.4.12
*** Amendment to DRC recording agreement
The Committee approved an addition to the recording agreement, to enable courses
to seek explicit consent if required (E6315).
556.4.13
*** NST Annual Report
The Committee noted the Annual Report from the Committee of Management for the
National Sciences Tripos (E6316).
556.4.14
*** Changes to Statutes and Ordinances
The Committee approved changes to the regulations for the Diploma in Theology
and the Ministry, Modern and Medieval Languages, History and Modern Languages
and Linguistics Triposes (E6317).
5
556.5***
Minutes of other committees
556.5.1
Senior Tutors’ Committee
The Committee noted the unconfirmed minutes from the meeting of the Senior
Tutors’ Committee on 30 October 2020
(E6318).
556.5.2
Academic Standards and Enhancement Committee
The Committee noted the unconfirmed minutes from the meeting of the Academic
Standards and Enhancement Committee on 14 October 2020
(E6319).
556.5.3
Postgraduate Committee
The Committee noted the unconfirmed minutes from the meeting of the
Postgraduate Committee on 13 October 2020
(E6320).
556.5.4
Postgraduate Admissions Committee
The Committee noted the unconfirmed minutes from the meeting of the
Postgraduate Admissions Committee on 14 October 2020 and revised Terms of
Reference for this Committee
(E6321) and approved the revised Terms of Reference
for the Postgraduate Admissions Committee are circulated for approval
(E6322).
556.5.5
Strategic Working Group on Access and Participation
The Committee noted the unconfirmed minutes from the meeting of the Strategic
Working Group on Access and Participation meeting on 6 October 2020
(E6323).
556.5.6
Undergraduate Admissions Committee
The Committee noted the unconfirmed minutes from the meeting of the
Undergraduate Admissions Committee meeting on 5 October 2020
(E6324).
556.6 Any other business
556.6.1
Students leaving Cambridge for the winter break
queried the application of the recent Department for Education guidance
about travel during the winter break on in-person laboratory teaching scheduled to
take place in December. The Chair confirmed that all in-person teaching must stop
on 9th December 2020, and alternative arrangements for the laboratory teaching will
need to be made. It was noted that the position of PGCE and Veterinary students on
placement had not yet been confirmed.
556.6.2
Arrangements for remote study during Lent Term 2021 for PGR
students.
The Chair reported that three Schools have requested greater flexibility of current
rules to allow PGR students to study remotely (work away) if they do not need to be
in Cambridge. Guidance is being prepared and further consultation with Schools
and Colleges will follow.
Date of Next Meeting
The next meeting of the Committee will be on Wednesday 3 February 2021 at 2pm.
6
557
General Board of the Faculties
Education Committee
A meeting of this Committee was held at 14.00 on Wednesday 3 February 2021, via Zoom.
Declarations of interest
No declarations were made.
557.1
Minutes
The minutes of the meeting held on 18 November 2020 were approved.
557.1.1
Matters arising
The Committee noted the reported business:
Officer action: change to the length of four pre-clinical Veterinary Sciences examinations to
restore the “normal” examination length. Proposed by the School of Biological Sciences,
endorsed by
, confirmed by
.
Coursework assessments for the optional
British Psychological Society accreditation in the
Faculty of Education’s
MPhil/MEd Psychology and Education pathway endorsed by
approved by
on behalf of the Committee.
557.1.2
Chair’s report
GBEC membership
The Chair welcomed
to the Committee as the new representative of the
School of Clinical Medicine, and noted the Committee’s thanks to
for her
significant contribution to the Committee. The Chair congratulated
on their renewed appointment to the Committee and congratulated
on
his appointment to the Academic Standards and Enhancement Committee.
Items agreed by correspondence and Chair’s action
The Chair noted that members had approved the introduction of a ‘No Detriment’ policy for
final year Tripos students of Modern and Medieval Languages and Linguistics (MMLL), and
of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies (AMES) because of the availability of classed marks
from the year prior to their year abroad.
The Chair had approved via Chair’s action in-person vivas for the two students of the
Diploma in Conservation of Easel Paintings.
Updated Department for Education guidance on
Students returning to, and starting higher
education, in Spring Term 2021
The Chair advised members that the Department for Education had recently reissued its
guidance which advised universities that very few students should return before 8 March and
that it remained the Government’s advice that the movement of students to higher education
institutions should be kept to a minimum. The management of the possible return of students
from 8 March was being considered. The University continued to consider options for the
return of students in Easter Term and was considering whether students might have the
option to remain away from Cambridge.
557.2
Starred items
The Committee approved the starred items.
2
557.3
Strategic discussion
557.3.1
Assessment 2020-21
The Committee reviewed the proposed package of mitigation measures on which Schools,
student representatives and central offices had recently been consulted (E6325). The
proposed measures were endorsed, with further clarity being provided about aspects of the
cohort equity proposal – that boundaries would be altered if only the mark profile is lower
than in previous years and that greater flexibility will be afforded to Examiners of small
student cohorts. The Committee
agreed to allow Faculties and Departments to consider
discounting marks, provided the student passed the assessment. The proposal for dropping
marks, petitioned by the representatives of the Students’ Union, was not endorsed on the
grounds that it might impact on students meeting learning objectives. It was agreed that
other measures could be used to address concerns about student workload.
The need for clear communication to Faculties, Departments and students was understood.
It was
agreed that
a paper detailing the package of measures will be circulated to Faculties
and Departments early the following week, and communication to students will follow. A
clear message around the no detriment policy for students on the AMES and MMLL Triposes
will also be provided.
Members considered proposals to change the Framework for Assessment 2020-21 to
enable exams to take place in Easter Term (E6326). The changes were necessary to
accommodate students who may not return to Cambridge and who may need to sit their
exams from other time zones. As such, there would likely be an increase in the number of
exams held within a 24 hour window. Points to consider included whether there should be a
single release time for exams, or whether they should be staggered to support Moodle;
whether students could sit exams on consecutive days if both used 24 hour windows; and
whether the exam timetable might be extended into early July, with finalists prioritised for
scheduling purposes.
The Committee
approved the proposals. Members expressed a preference not to defer any
exams until September. They noted the importance of supporting Moodle stability by holding
the exams to an established set of procedures. The Committee agreed to defer taking a view
on whether in-person exams should be cancelled and be held remotely until guidance from
the Government became clearer on the likelihood of students being able to return to
residence. While holding exams in-person might be done in Covid-secure ways, it remained
important to continue to observe the Government guidance on the movement of students.
Members agreed that it may be necessary to hold a further meeting after the anticipated
further government announcement on 22 February.
Online Proctoring Pilot
The Committee received a report detailing the online proctoring pilot conducted by the
Faculty of Mathematics and the Faculty of Physics and Chemistry (E6327). The pilot had
been regarded as successful and feedback from students generally positive. One lesson
learned was that the number of invigilators required for large cohorts was substantial: further
use of online proctoring would possibly require financial support from the central University.
The Committee noted that online proctoring could not be integrated with Moodle and that
control of exams using this method would be devolved to faculties and departments. While
useful, online proctoring should be considered a short-term solution only.
Given the limited amount of support available, the Committee
agreed that only subjects that
had taken part in the pilot or had been approved to assess in person would be permitted to
use online proctoring during the Easter Term examination period, excepting the Department
of Veterinary Medicine whose accrediting body recommends online proctoring.
3
557.3.2
University Risk Register
The Committee received updates to the University Risk Register on risks related to
education
(E6328) and members were invited to send comments to
.
557.3.3
Matters from the Joint Working Group on Size and Shape
The Committee received an update on discussions relating to residency requirements for
part-time postgraduate courses, and proposals for a review of the quality of postgraduate
taught courses (E6329).
Residency requirements for part-time postgraduate courses
The Committee noted the work of previous groups, including the
Residency Requirements
Working Group,
in developing the approach outlined in the paper. The paper proposed to
distinguish between groups of postgraduate part-time students, such as those who currently
commute to teaching (such as the MEd students) and those who attend weekend
residentials. The paper proposed that the former might not require a residency requirement,
while there might be a range of options for the latter. It was clear that encouraging student
engagement with the wider Cambridge community was critical.
The Committee agreed that this was an important area of work. However, it was agreed that
a reframing of the issues towards student and educational needs was required. The
Committee considered that the current proposals did not emphasise the importance of part-
time postgraduate courses, nor their breadth and their significance the University’s widening
participation agenda. It was noted that a more fundamental review of the issues, in the
context of the changes to education and learning which had taken place due to Covid-19,
might inform further discussions, and the distinction between residency and attendance was
also highlighted. It was
agreed that the Chair and
should take the issue
forward with a small group of Committee members.
Review of the quality of postgraduate taught courses
The Committee noted that a review of the quality of postgraduate taught courses would be
undertaken which would review a range of course-level information (from admissions to
attrition). While important, the Committee noted that it could not be a priority at present, and
that work would begin on the review in the future. The Committee
endorsed the review of
the quality of postgraduate taught courses.
557.4
Business items
557.4.1
Global Executive MBA
The Committee received a proposal from the Cambridge Judge Business School to provide
a Global Executive Masters of Business Administration to be taught in both Cambridge and
China (E6330). The proposal had been significantly revised from earlier versions, and
represented a 50/50 delivery model on both sides. Both the Senior Tutors’ Standing
Committee on Education and the Academic Standards and Enhancement Committee had
approved the proposals, but with both bodies highlighting issues around the amount of travel
and its implication for both environmental sustainability and feasibility in times of travel
restrictions, such as the pandemic. However, it was considered that this was the best current
model to establish meaningful residency, and that there was no desire at this time to hold
back the establishment of the programme. The Committee
agreed that the Business School
4
should reflect on the impact of the level of movement, and be permitted to consider evolution
in line with University changes in due course.
The Committee
approved the proposal to introduce the Global Executive MBA pathway.
557.4.2
Proposals for University-wide student surveys
The Committee noted that the University’s three-year contract with i-graduate for use of the
Student Barometer survey has expired and was asked to advise on proposals for surveys
which it may use (E6331). The Committee
agreed that under the present circumstances, a
pulse survey, similar to the one used in Michaelmas Term, would be the best option for this
year.
557.4.3
Michaelmas Term Pulse survey results
The Committee received the quantitative and interim qualitative results of the Michaelmas
Pulse survey (E6332). The Committee noted that, despite the relatively low response rate,
the results are mostly encouraging and that the free-text comments could be useful in
addressing some concerns. The Committee also heard that the comments summary and the
quantitative results will be disseminated to Faculties and Departments.
557.4.4
Cambridge University Medical Education Group
The Committee considered a proposal for Cambridge University Medical Education Group
(CUMEG) to work in partnership with Sunway University on the design of its medical degree
curriculum (E6333). CUMEG has not yet begun negotiations with Sunway University on the
terms of the agreement. CUMEG sought to understand what GBEC might consider
permissible. Members welcomed the proposals with the possible licensed use of the
CUMEG logo on course literature but raised concerns about the potential use of it on
Sunway University degree certificates which might be misinterpreted as being a joint degree.
On this basis the Committee declined to approve the proposals.
557.4.5
International Recruitment Strategy
The Committee received a draft copy of an International Recruitment Strategy (E6334) and
members were invited to send comments to the Chair or
.
557.4.6
Changes to the Guide on Examinations Data, Records, and Scripts
The Committee received a series of options for the retention of notes of academic judgement
and an overview of practice in the sector (E6335). Members
agreed to send feedback by
correspondence and asked to receive recommendations at the next meeting.
557.4.7
Course length policy
The Committee received a draft course length policy (E6336) outlining how published course
length should be calculated, and specific cases which may affect that calculation.
Consistency of course length is necessary for the University’s Tier 4 visa licence. While
supportive of the principles in the policy, the Committee noted that implementation may
5
prove difficult for some subjects, and requested that Officers support Faculties and
Departments in making course amendments. The Committee
approved the policy, noting
the comment above.
557.4.8
Safety Net report
The Committee noted a report on the use of the assessment safety net in 2019-20 in
response to the Covid-19 pandemic (E6337). It recognised the noteworthy increase in the
number of students receiving a first class or upper second.
557.4.9
External regulation update
Members received and noted a significant number of external policy developments from both
the Government and the regulator (E6338). The committee welcomed the announcement
that the Government has abandoned its proposals for the Teaching Excellence Framework
to be applied at subject level, but noted that proposals for monitoring subject-level data had
featured in the recent Office for Students’ (OfS) consultation on quality assurance. The OfS
had also asked all universities to review their compliance with consumer law which would
form the basis of a report which officers would prepare for University Council. The
Committee noted that the OfS had relaunched its arrangements for students to make
‘Notifications’ directly to the OfS
557.4.10
Changes to Statutes and Ordinances
The Committee approved the changes to Statutes and Ordinances (E6339).
557.5
Minutes of other committees
557.5.1
Examination and Assessment Committee
The Committee noted the confirmed minutes of the Examinations and Assessment
Committee on 28 October (E6340).
557.5.2
Doctoral Training Partnerships Committee
The Committee noted the unconfirmed minutes of the Doctoral Training Partnerships
Committee on 11 November 2020 (E6341).
557.5.3
Undergraduate Admissions Committee
The Committee noted the unconfirmed minutes of the Undergraduate Admissions
Committee on 16 November 2020 (E6342).
557.5.4
Participation Data Advisory Group
The Committee noted the unconfirmed minutes of the Participation Data Advisory Group
meeting on 20 November 2020 (E6343). The Committee noted:
• the low ranking of Medicine, Veterinary Science, Music, History and English in the
Guardian University Guide
6
• that the University has dropped in rankings in the Industry and Income section of the
Times Higher Education World University Rankings.
The Committee was also asked to clarify and support expectations of who would be
available to support the evaluation of student data in Faculties and Departments and asked
for a description of what will be required of each Faculty before considering it. The
Committee, however, made it clear that this is not currently a priority.
557.5.5
Board of Executive and Professional Education
The Committee noted the unconfirmed minutes of the Board of Executive and Professional
Education of 26 November 2020 (E6344).
557.5.6
Senior Tutors’ Committee
The Committee noted the unconfirmed minutes of the Senior Tutors’ Committee on 27
November 2020 (E6345).
557.5.7
Health and Wellbeing Committee
The Committee noted the unconfirmed minutes of the Health and Wellbeing Committee on 4
December 2020 (E6346).
Date of Next Meeting
14.00 Wednesday 10 March 2021
7
558
General Board of the Faculties
Education Committee
A meeting of this Committee was held at 10.00 on Wednesday 10 March 2021, via
Zoom.
Declarations of interest
No declarations were made.
558.1
Minutes
The minutes of the meeting held on 3 February 2021 were approved
(E6347).
Matters arising
Assessment 2020/21
Following the Committee’s approval of a revised framework for assessment for
2020/21 (Minute 557.3.1) and taking account of Government guidance on COVID-
19, Faculties and Departments submitted alternative assessment proposals. Where
necessary these were approved by the Chair on behalf of the Committee
(E6348).
Changes that did not require the Committee’s approval were approved by the
Education Quality and Policy Office (EQPO).
Reported business
Items since last meeting agreed by circulation or Chair’s action
On behalf of the Committee, the Chair and
endorsed changes to the
Final MB which were made to reduce the number of times students would be brought
together for in-person examinations. The School of Clinical Medicine had consulted
widely with the General Medical Council, external examiners, other UK medical
schools and the student body, as well as with EQPO and the Exams Office.
On behalf of the Committee,
exceptionally approved the
use of Zoom as an invigilation tool for the Lent term professionally accredited
examinations in the Veterinary Sciences Tripos.
Chair’s report
Students on certain courses were permitted to return in March and more will return in
April. Further Government guidance is expected after Easter which may inform future
plans on the return of students for in-person teaching. Students are permitted to
return home for one trip over the Easter vacation. Students who wish to travel
overseas cannot rely on University testing but will need to arrange officially
recognised testing. Further messaging about international travel will be provided via
Colleges shortly.
The University libraries are starting to make bookable study spaces available.
558.2
Starred items
The Committee approved the starred items.
558.3
Strategic discussion
558.3.1
Education Provision in 2021/22
introduced this item. The situation for 2021/22 is not yet clear but it
is likely that international travel will still be restricted and social distancing measures
may well remain in place. There is also a possibly of repeated waves of infection.
The Committee agreed that planning should take place on a termly basis with
contingency plans made for in-person arrangements if possible. It is likely that large
scale in-person lectures will not be possible in Michaelmas Term; guidance on use of
education space will be updated to reflect current thinking on social distancing and
ventilation.
Concerns remain about education provision for students who are unable to travel to
Cambridge and the impact of social distancing measures on students taking courses
which require use of particular facilities, such as laboratories. These will need to be
factored into plans and it may be necessary to prioritise courses with practical
components.
Guidance will be drafted by EQPO and circulated to the Committee for review before
being distributed to Faculties and Departments during Easter term.
558.3.2
Framework for assessment 2021/2022
provided an update on the work of the Examinations and
Assessment Committee (EAC) on diversification of assessment and its impact on
narrowing awarding gaps. He explained how the work of the Committee dovetailed
with that of Cambridge Centre for Teaching and Learning and with various groups
working towards the University’s Access and Participation Plan goals for 2025
relating to awarding gaps.
2
introduced the draft framework within which the options for assessment in
2021-22 were set out. In the longer term, amendments to the Statutes and
Ordinances and strengthening of the wider infrastructure supporting assessment
may be required; the framework will facilitate a transition period. There continue to
be concerns within the University Information Service about the stability,
performance, and configuration of the Moodle platform. The timeline during which
assessment plans will be submitted and approved has not yet been confirmed.
The Committee welcomed the work of EAC, offered broad support to the framework,
and noted that following a consultation period a final version of the framework would
be submitted for approval by GBEC in April 2021.
558.3.3
Monitoring and Review
558.3.3.1
Education Monitoring and Review
The Committee agreed that an extension of the current pause in the
Learning and
Teaching Review process should be mitigated by a light-touch and risk-based interim
monitoring and review process.
The Committee reviewed a proposed interim process
(E6350) to replace the
Learning and Teaching Review and
Annual Programme Review processes,
recommended by the Academic Standards and Enhancement Committee (ASEC).
The process is a reflective exercise grounded in annual review of a well-defined
body of data, and would be implemented formally from Michaelmas 2022 with
optional piloting from Michaelmas 2021. Deeper-dive enhanced monitoring would be
enacted after triggers, reflecting concerns or risks in the data or reflective exercise.
The process would be led in partnership between EQPO and Schools and tied to the
annual planning round. Targeted consultation was taken with some departments,
which welcomed the proposal.
ASEC anticipates that the interim process would in time become the standard and
replace the Learning and Teaching Review process in full; the interim process will be
less burdensome and provide more effective, timely support for departmental
development. Ultimately the process could take place biennially. Providing
appropriate follow-up actions within a reasonable timescale will be essential to make
the process meaningful and effective.
The Committee agreed that training for student representatives as outlined in the
paper would need further development. Officers will work with Sabbatical Officers to
develop this, along with guidance on how best to incorporate student feedback as
part of the review process.
Whilst supporting the data-rich model, the Committee noted concerns about the
administrative support required and the risk of shifting resource burden onto the
Schools. Further work will take place to outline the most effective and least
burdensome process, noting that this may vary by School. The Committee
welcomed the opportunity to delve more deeply and reflectively into thematic issues
across the institution, embedded within planning processes. The risk of reactive,
3
rather than proactive, enhancement was noted but the Committee did not believe it
outweighed the wider benefits.
The Committee approved the interim process, to take effect from Michaelmas
Term 2022. Volunteers will be sought for piloting during 2021/22.
3.3.2 Exceptional monitoring and review exercise
The Committee received a proposal
(E6351) for EQPO to undertake an exceptional
desk-based review of academic quality and standards during 2019/20, in place of the
Annual Programme Review exercise. This recognises that many decisions made
during the year were taken after detailed institutional oversight and extensive
dialogue between Faculties, Departments and EQPO. The process would be light-
touch and provide an audit trail along with reassurance in the actions taken, in
preparation for the interim process described in 3.3.1 above. Discussion took place
about seeking feedback from student representatives to be included in this exercise.
Ultimately it was agreed this was not appropriate because of the need to collect and
parse such data, adding to the resource burden, as well as risking a mixed economy
where some responses were provided and others not; in particular it would be
impossible to incorporate 1-year course feedback in this way. Student survey data
would be included, both from national and pulse surveys.
The Committee agreed to implement the review exercise for 2019/20. 558.4
Business items
558.4.1
Academic Integrity
The Committee was invited to discuss the draft guidance for Faculties and
Departments on managing issues related to academic integrity in online or revised
assessment methods
(E6352).
It was reported that the guidance responded to queries and concerns raised by
Faculties and Departments. The light-touch guidance included prompts to support
Faculties and Departments in reflecting on their academic integrity policies and
communication with students.
The Committee welcomed the paper and noted the plans for further work including
reviewing the operational aspects of Turnitin.
The Committee
approved the
Academic integrity and misconduct in digital delivery
of assessment guidance.
558.4.2
Consumer Compliance review
The Committee received a paper
(E6353) providing the Stage 1 report of a
consumer compliance review conducted following the request from the Office for
Students that universities should review how they conducted their compliance
activities in Michaelmas Term 2020. The Stage 1 review found that at an institutional
level, the University was compliant with consumer protection requirements but, since
4
there was lower satisfaction among students regarding their access to physical
resources, this would justify a Stage 2 sampling review of certain Faculties and
Departments. The Committee welcomed the report and the direction of the review
which would be presented to the University Council.
558.4.3
Proposals for University-wide student surveys 2021-22
The Committee received paper
(E6354) which presented available options for
University-wide surveys from 2021-2022 onwards. The Committee heard that from
the list of surveys reported, PTES and PRES would be the recommended ones to
run in conjunction with the compulsory NSS.
The Committee agreed to run PTES and PRES with effect from 2021-22
558.4.4
Pulse survey student comments analysis and updated quantitative
results
The Committee received the full analysis of the student comments of the
Michaelmas Pulse survey
(E6355) and an updated document of the quantitative
analysis
(E6356). The Committee noted that the comments analysis includes some
themes that have been highlighted through other surveys/groups as well and it is
hoped that its dissemination to Faculties and Departments would be helpful.
558.4.5
Progression models
The Committee received a framework for the adoption of a progression model for
flexible courses
(E6357). The framework was supported by ASEC. The framework
chosen is a stacked model, in which each component course stacks into a larger
whole. Only Cambridge credit will be involved in the creation of these courses, in
whole-course units only to ensure coherent exit awards from the flexible stack.
It was reported that there would be no implications for courses which already had a
progression structure but all new progression courses would be expected to use the
approved model. The Committee noted an area of concern around the fee
calculation, which would see a student who studied flexibly through a progression
structure pay more than a student who registered for and completed a Master’s
degree in the standard route.
The Committee agreed that the progression model should be
approved and the
issue relating to the overall fee should be referred to Fees Sub-Committee of the
Planning and Resources Committee for
discussion.
558.4.6
Data retention guidelines
The Committee received recommendations for the retention of notes of academic
judgement
(E6358), informed by the recommendations following the outcome of a
complaint to the Office of the Independent Adjudicator (OIA), the advice of the
University’s information compliance officer, and a review of practice at other Russell
5
Group Institutions. Members noted that the proposed change to the retention of
notes of academic judgement enhanced the ‘auditability’ of the assessment process
which was important for bodies like the OIA in its work to verify that assessment has
been conducted appropriately to inform their review of student cases, and noted too
that exam records retention was the focus of a further case from Cambridge
currently being considered by the OIA. The proposed retention period was ‘a
duration determined at the discretion of the Faculty or Department but taking into
account the need to retain records for exam reviews (which can be requested for up
to 28 days after results are released).’
Members discussed the options to either change the policy to get ahead of any
further judgement from the OIA, or to defer the decision until the OIA issues its
judgement. Members agreed to
approve the revised guidance subject to it being
edited to be consistent and clear in its expectation, and that this should be verified by
Chair’s action. The Committee also
agreed that the Guidance should be scheduled
for review in a year’s time.
558.4.7
STEM Smart Programme Proposal
provided an overview of the proposed pilot STEM Smart Programme,
designed to widen participation in STEM by providing students from
underrepresented schools and backgrounds an opportunity to gain key skills and
experience in order to strengthen their University applications. The programme,
which will be led by the School of the Physical Sciences with support from the
Schools of the Biological Sciences and Technology, aims to start in January 2022. It
is anticipated that around 750 students will start the programme and around 200 will
complete it. The programme will provide useful context as and when a foundation
year in STEM is developed.
The Committee endorsed the proposal and gave its support to endeavours to
confirm ongoing funding. It was recognised that such a programme might lend itself
to philanthropic funding. Some Colleges are supporting the programme by providing
free accommodation for residential periods.
558.4.8
Update on Online Proctoring Pilot
An update report on the pilot was received
(E6360).
558.4.9
Foundation Year Management Committee
The Committee approved the Terms of Reference of the Foundation Year
Management Committee
(E6361).
558.5
Minutes of other committees
558.5.1
Senior Tutors’ Committee
The Committee noted the unconfirmed minutes from the meeting of the Senior
Tutors’ Committee on 12 February 2021
(E6362).
558.5.2
Examinations and Assessment Committee
6
The Committee noted the confirmed minutes from the meetings of the Examinations
and Assessment Committee on 25 November 2020
(E6363) and 23 February 2021
(E6364).
558.5.3
Academic Standards and Enhancement Committee
The Committee noted the unconfirmed minutes from the meeting of the Academic
Standards and Enhancement Committee on 10 February 2021
(E6365).
558.5.4
Postgraduate Committee
The Committee noted the unconfirmed minutes from the meeting of the
Postgraduate Committee on 26 January 2021
(E6366).
558.5.5
Postgraduate Admissions Committee
The Committee noted the unconfirmed minutes from the meeting of the
Postgraduate Admissions Committee on 11 February 2021
(E6367).
558.5.6
Doctoral Training Programmes Committee
The Committee noted the unconfirmed minutes from the meeting of the
Postgraduate Admissions Committee on 17 February 2021
(E6368).
558.5.7
Student Support Initiative Steering Group
The Committee noted the unconfirmed minutes from the meeting of the Student
Support Initiative Steering Group (previously Strategic Working Group on Access
and Participation) meeting on 1 December 2020
(E6369) and 25 January 2021
(E6370).
558.5.8
Undergraduate Admissions Committee
The Committee noted the unconfirmed minutes from the meeting of the
Undergraduate Admissions Committee meeting on 1 February 2021
(E6371).
558.5.9
Board of Executive and Professional Education
The Committee noted the unconfirmed minutes from the meeting of the Board of
Executive and Professional Education on 25th February 2021
(E6372).
Date of Next Meeting
14.00 Friday 16 April 2021
7
559
General Board of the Faculties
Education Committee
A meeting of this Committee was held at 14.00 on Friday 16 April 2021, via Zoom.
Declarations of interest
No declarations were made.
559.1 Minutes
The minutes of the meeting held on 10 March 2021 were approved
(E6373).
559.1.1
Matters arising
Minute 558.4.1, March 2021: Academic Integrity
Since the last meeting, some minor changes had been made to the process for requesting
Turnitin access. Officers continued to work with the Office for Student Conduct, Complaints
and Appeals (OSCCA) on this policy area and implications for student cases, noting that
some minor revisions to the policy on use of Turnitin might be needed for 21-22 alongside
some minor changes to the terms and conditions for use of the University’s Turnitin licence,
about which the committee would be kept informed.
559.1.2
Reported business
It was reported that approval had been given by Chair’s Action to suspend recruitment to the
Advanced Diploma in Research Theory and Practice in English (Engineering or Business
Management) run by the Institute of Continuing Education for one year. No offers of places
had been made before the suspension.
559.1.3
Chair’s report
Return of students
The Department for Education had published guidance on the return of students to
universities after Easter which only differed minimally to guidance provided in January. The
Chair noted that the University shared the frustration of others at its inability to make in-
person teaching available to all students until at least the 17th of May 2021. All students that
already had permission to receive in person teaching would continue to receive it and some
additional students had been given permission to return since they fell within the definition of
practical and practice-based subjects. Any students that wanted to return would be expected
to contact their College to do so if they were able to meet the criteria for returning based
upon their health or needing access to study space or facilities.
Gravity Assist
The Office for Students has circulated to universities a copy of its Gravity Assist report which
summarised a survey on the shift to technology enabled learning during the pandemic. The
report identifies six actions that universities should consider taking. The Committee would
receive a paper for the next meeting on how the University might respond.
559.2
Starred items
The Committee approved the starred items.
559.3
Strategic discussion
559.3.1
Framework for assessment 2021/2022
The Committee received a draft framework for assessment for all taught students for
2021/22 which intended to support the diversification of assessment and maintain for a
further year some of the forms of exams being hosted on Moodle
(E6374). The Committee
noted that there have been several changes on the document based on consultation
feedback. The Committee discussed the framework and the following points were raised:
• That the Framework was not designed to enable programmes to cease delivering
papers set out in their ordinances on a temporary basis. It was centred on
assessment.
• That the 6-hour exam window was not retained as an option owing to concerns about
equality implications.
• Concern was raised about the deadline by which departments must specify their
modes of assessment for next year. They may be able to respond by the end of
August but not any earlier.
• That exams held within a 3 hour window could facilitate allowances for disabled
students.
• Whether small cohorts would be allowed to have in person online invigilated exams.
The Committee noted that this required further discussion as there could be issues,
with ventilation, noise, and both electrical and internet load.
• Concern was raised that the Framework prohibited different formats of assessment
other than the ones proposed (p.34). It was agreed that the Framework should not
preclude other modes if they were workable (e.g., students taking in person
invigilated exams who then scan and send their papers).
• More clarity was needed about the word count and consequences of exceeding it
(p.5).
• Whether the timetable for implementation of the Framework should indicate when
contingency plans should be provided.
• Concern as to how Faculties/Departments will support students if they have
unreliable internet.
• That within the 3-hour window 1-hour exams (and other variants) were allowed.
• Clarification as to what would be allowed in terms of setting exam start and end
times.
2
It was also agreed that a way of managing suggestions for assessment formats not explicitly
covered by the framework would need to be found. Notwithstanding this, it was
agreed to
support the framework in principle subject to amplifying and clarifying the points mentioned
above. A marked-up version would be circulated to the Committee with answers/clarification
for final approval.
559.4
Business items
559. 4.1
Assessment matters
559.4.1.1
COVID-19 Statement on University transcripts
The Committee considered whether a statement referring to the pandemic should be
included on transcripts for 2020/21 (
E6375). A statement had been added to transcripts last
year and was a useful means of helping those reading the transcripts to contextualise the
results. It was
agreed that a statement should be added this year that was generic but
should refer to a little detail, and link to a University webpage where further information could
be found.
559.4.1.2
Guidance on Impact Statements for Taught Students
Assessment arrangements agreed at the meeting in February included the option for
students to submit impact statements alongside dissertation, project or coursework on the
impact of lockdown on their access to resources. The Committee considered draft guidance
for taught students on these impact statements
(E6376).
Members noted that there was some difficulty where assessment had already taken place
without impact statements and where accommodations for the impact on students had been
made. Some argued that the package of assessment mitigation made impact statements
unnecessary, but there was an overriding concern about the unevenness with which
students had access to resources, based on whether they were in Cambridge or not. Impact
statements would go some way to mitigate the risk of equality issues being ignored and
related complaints given that academic judgement sometimes involved judging how students
have used and critically appraised sources and resources available to them.
The Committee
agreed with the principle of impact statements but asked for some changes
to the guidance. It advised that wording that implied maintaining a case-by-case record of
how the impact statement had affected a mark should be removed since a record at cohort
level should be sufficient and that it was important to record that the impact statement had
been considered as part of the assessment process. The Committee further agreed that the
guidance on impact statements should expect students to observe a word limit in their
statements. It asked that a further version of the guidance should be circulated to members
with tracked changes.
559.4.2
Postgraduate matters
559.4.2.1
Part-time postgraduate research study
The Postgraduate Committee and the Postgraduate Admissions Committee recommended
that part-time study should become an option for all postgraduate research (PGR)
programmes from 2023
(E6377). Exceptions could be made only for courses that contained
components (such as fieldwork) which would not be workable under that model. Introducing
part-time options would contribute to equality of opportunity.
The proposal was well received, and the Chair of the Postgraduate Committee noted that the
recommendation aligned with UKRI expectations and the University’s widening participation
3
goals. The Committee noted that there would be implications for colleges (particularly those
that are postgraduate-only) and that Senior Tutors should be consulted more widely, and it
agreed the recommendations should be shared with the Graduate Tutors’ Committee and
the Senior Tutors’ Committee. The Committee agreed that a blanket exemption for
Departments covering their entire offerings would be inappropriate and courses should be
considered individually.
The Committee
endorsed the recommendation and agreed that it should be referred to
colleges.
559.4.2.2
Postgraduate research supervisor training
A report from the Postgraduate Committee on PGR supervisor training recommended that
new supervisor training becomes mandatory, existing online resources enhanced and a
framework for local training developed
(E6378). The Chair of the Postgraduate Committee
noted the significance of the initiative, the importance of the supervisory relationship to
students, and thanked the Working Group. The Committee acknowledged that the internal
audit had recommended training became mandatory and it considered how much should be
mandatory, the proportion that would be provided centrally and resource implications.
Existing online resources would be further developed and the framework proposed central
and local training. Resource had been identified for an additional post in the Cambridge
Centre for Teaching and Learning and the existing Working Group would continue to meet to
further this work. Under the proposed training model, central training (including Equality and
Diversity training and Prevent training) would be mandatory for new supervisors who would
be asked to self-confirm that they had completed it.
Members considered whether Prevent training should become mandatory for all existing
supervisors. The internal audit clearly recommended it should be and therefore it had been
included within the proposal, although this gave rise to some ethical concerns about Prevent
and might encounter resistance from some staff. The Committee noted that the University
had put forward robust criticism of the Prevent duty in its response to the ongoing review of
Prevent and the Committee agreed to discuss Prevent training as an element of supervisory
training separately.
Members noted that local training was likely to be most helpful to new supervisors as it
would be tailored to their discipline and processes, and that local training would have
resource implications for Faculties and Departments. Members also noted that interest in
refresher training for existing supervisors might be low; and that it should be clarified
whether new supervisors needed to have completed the training before taking on students or
whether it was sufficient to have arrangements in place to take the training.
The Committee broadly
endorsed the recommendations on PGR supervisor training.
559.4.3
Consumer Compliance review
the University Council
(E6379). It noted that the review’s methodology had some similarity to
others in the sector that had since been published. Members noted the ongoing importance
of providing students with accurate information about their courses both in principle and
given the highly regulated nature of course information, and noted that it would need to
consider if any information already given to offer-holders would need to be changed before
the next academic year.
559.4.4
Updates from the Office for Student Conduct, Complaints and Appeals
559.4.4.1
Report and Support
The Head of OSCCA provided a briefing on its new Report and Support function
(E6380)
which would enable users to make reports in a user-friendly way, without requiring any
4
personal details from those reporting. It would also enable OSCCA to provide tailored
guidance to those reporting and would enhance its analytical capacity. The Committee noted
that it’s Health and Wellbeing sub-Committee would monitor the pilot use of the tool, and
agreed that GBEC should be kept informed about its implementation at a high level.
559.4.4.2
OSCCA Annual Report
The Committee noted the OSCCA Annual Report for 2019-20, particularly the analysis
presented for the first time on cases relating to black, Asian and minority ethnic students.
(E6381).
559.4.5
Disability Resource Centre Annual Report
The Committee noted the Disability Resource Centre annual report for 2019-20
(E6382).
559.4.6
Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology Tripos reform
The Committee approved a recommendation from the Academic Standards and
Enhancement Committee for the reform of the Chemical Engineering Tripos from October
2023, to form a new Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology Tripos
(E6383). The new
course will have direct entry to the Tripos in a four-year structure: Part IA/IB/II/III.
559.4.7
Changes to Statutes and Ordinances
The Committee approved a recommendation from the Postgraduate Committee for changes
to the Ordinances relating to the Master of Philosophy by Thesis: Special Regulations,
Biological Science
(E6384).
559.5
Minutes of other committees
559.5.1
Examinations and Assessment Committee
The Committee noted the unconfirmed minutes of the Examinations and Assessment
Committee of 3 March 2021
(E6385).
559.5.2
Senior Tutors’ Committee
The Committee noted the unconfirmed minutes of the Senior Tutors’ Committee of 12 March
2021
(E6386).
559.5.3
Undergraduate Admissions Committee
The Committee noted the unconfirmed minutes of the Undergraduate Admissions
Committee meeting of 15 March 2021
(E6387).
559.5.4
Health and Wellbeing Committee
The Committee noted the unconfirmed minutes of the Health and Wellbeing Committee of 19
March 2021
(E6388).
559.5.5
Academic Standards and Enhancement Committee
The Committee did not receive the unconfirmed minutes of the Academic Standards and
Enhancement Committee of 24 March 2021 which had been marked as to follow and would
be presented to the next meeting.
Date of Next Meeting
14.00 Wednesday 19 May 2021
5
560
General Board of the Faculties
Education Committee
A meeting of this Committee was held at 14.00 on Wednesday 19 May 2021, via
Zoom.
Declarations of interest
No declarations were made.
560.1 Minutes
The minutes of the meeting held on 16 April 2021 were approved
(E6388).
560.1.1
Matters arising
It was reported that approval had been given via electronic circulation to the
Framework for Assessment for 2021/2022.
The Chair had approved the use of Zoom as a contingency for the clinical veterinary
programme in cases where students cannot attend an in-person examination due to
being required to self-isolate.
560.1.2
Chair’s report
Framework for Assessment 2021/22
The framework was approved by the General Board and will be included in the
University Reporter and circulated to Faculties and Departments via the Bulletin later
this week.
Queen’s Speech
The recent Queen’s speech included proposals for two new pieces of legislation,
relating to Freedom of Speech and Post-16 Skills. The University and the Students’
Union plan to jointly lobby Parliamentarians regarding the Freedom of Speech
legislation and the University will also engage more publicly through the Russell
Group. The content of the Post-16 Skills Bill is not yet known.
Form and Conduct Notices
In a change from usual practice, Form and Conduct Notices will not be published in
the Reporter for the rest of this academic year. A Notice to this effect will appear in
the Reporter later this week and Faculties and Departments will be asked to include
this information on their websites.
In-person examinations
Covid Gold has authorised in-person exams taking place as previously agreed.
There is a risk however that Government guidance changes making in-person
exams impossible. Faculties and Departments are asked to bear in mind the need
for a lead time of two weeks to transfer from in-person to wholly online examinations.
Admissions statistics
The University has recently published admissions statistics for undergraduate entry
in 2020 which shows all relevant targets have been met or exceeded.
560.2 Starred items
The Committee approved the starred items.
560.3 Strategic discussion
560.3.1
Teaching and Learning 2021/2022
The Committee received a draft guidance document on plans for teaching and
learning in Michaelmas 2021
(E6389). The guidance was considered by Covid Gold,
which did not express any concerns, and will be considered by the Senior Tutors’
Committee later this week. The guidance is broadly in line with that issued by other
Russell Group institutions and with guidance recently published by UUK as regards
the need for contingency planning.
Residence and exemptions
The expectation for full-time matriculated students to be in residence, subject to
limited exceptions, was endorsed. Students with increased susceptibility to
infectious disease and who have not been vaccinated, and students who are unable
to attend due to travel restrictions may be permitted to study remotely. Discussions
are taking place regarding the possibility of students who need to quarantine
(including those from red list countries) being able to do so in College
accommodation. There is also a possibility that international students could be
vaccinated upon entry to the UK although this is the subject of continued discussion
with the Government. The Committee discussed whether the cost of travel should
be a consideration in students studying remotely, noting the likely impact on
2
available hardship funding if a large volume of applications is made to support high
travel costs.
agreed to take this forward outside of the meeting.
The Committee agreed that the same approach should be used for managing
applications for remote study as was in place for 2020/21. Further guidance will be
provided in due course.
In-person/online lectures
The Committee agreed that, whilst the aim should be for all teaching to be in –
person if at all possible, the prevailing public health situation is likely to mean that
most lectures will need to be recorded. Faculties and Departments will need to
determine the feasibility of in-person practical and lab teaching subject to risk
assessments and dependent on prevailing social distancing requirements.
Induction and Freshers events
Arrangements for induction, freshers and refreshers events (for current first year
students) will be considered by the Senior Tutors’ Committee.
Staggered start
The Committee recalled that a staggered start to Michaelmas term was not needed
last year as arrangements were managed by Colleges. It was agreed to adopt the
same approach this year unless a staggered start is a Government requirement.
Recorded lectures
The Committee agreed that recorded lectures from last year could be re-used if the
lecturer wished, unless lecturers were of the view that the technical quality of the
lecture was inadequate or the subject matter had changed. The importance of
continued interaction with students was agreed and colleagues should be
encouraged to consider the value of recorded material as a way of enhancing in-
person teaching. Guidance is being drafted by CCTL and the TEL Service. The
Chair and
agreed to raise with the Programme Board for Education Space
the need for technical facilities to allow recording of lectures as they are being
delivered in person. The Committee agreed on the need for clarity regarding
payments to non-UTOs for re-use of pre-recorded material. This will be considered
further and guidance on the re-use of recorded lectures would be prepared.
Online courses
The Committee endorsed the proposal that non-matriculated and non-degree
courses could be delivered wholly online in 2021/2022. This aligns with its earlier
decision to allow undergraduate non-matriculated courses delivered by the Institute
for Continuing Education to be delivered online for next year.
560.3.2
The future of assessment
, Chair of the Examinations and Assessment Committee (EAC)
introduced an overview of the Future of Assessment Programme which consisted of
three projects relating to the Framework for Assessment 2021-22, Diversifying
Assessment and Assessment Infrastructure
(E6390).
3
He explained that diversified approaches to assessment could contribute to closing
awarding gaps amongst different groups. The Examination and Assessment
Committee will act as a form of project board, meeting regularly, monitoring progress
and providing advocacy and sponsorship.
outlined two areas of risk: lack of resource and lack of
engagement. He was keen to stress that colleagues should not be overly stretched
by the work the programme will entail and agreed to report back to GBEC if that
became the case. With regard to the second point, the EAC terms of reference are
being amended in order to introduce new members who would be proactive in
liaising with faculties and departments.
confirmed that all permanent programme changes will continue to undergo
scrutiny by the relevant committees through the ordinary processes.
The Committee approved the programme.
560.3.3
Proposal for the introduction of a reading week.
(Undergraduate President for Cambridge Students’ Union)
presented a proposal for term dates to be altered to include a mid-term reading week
(
E6391). The proposal intended to address the issues faced by students including
loneliness, compressed terms, high workload, quick successions of deadlines and
feeling unable to closely engage with academic work due to time pressures.
extended his thanks to
for their constructive comments ahead of the meeting.
indicated a number of benefits of a reading week:
• Both staff and students would have a break in term time;
• Incoming cohorts disadvantaged by disruption caused by the pandemic would
also benefit from the new structure.
• Students would be able to engage more closely with extracurricular activities
and provide opportunities for the development of soft skills.
noted a concern that Faculties and Departments might fill the space
created by a reading week and suggested that this Committee could monitor
changes to courses to ensure the time was protected for staff and students. In
closing,
suggested that bold solutions were required to improve the
wellbeing of staff and students given that previous recommendations had yielded
minimal results.
The Chair invited the Committee to comment on the proposal and consider routes
forward.
was supportive of the initiative and what it aimed to
address but cautioned that this would be a significant reform that would change
University business. Concerns were raised about protections being ignored and the
reading week being filled as this would create a higher workload and a longer term.
noted that the proposal offered a blanket approach and that organising
on a local level could be more effective and had been well received in his own
Department. Heads of School had been largely in favour of the proposal but
4
concerns had been raised that any adjustment would be more complicated for
courses that need access to labs. Some committee members noted their own
positive experiences with reading weeks as both staff and students, citing the impact
it had on mental health and wellbeing as a particular benefit.
noted that
moving the start of term earlier and the end of term back would have an impact on
scheduling (including the arrival of PhD students).
noted that research
time was already squeezed and the University should be mindful of the pressure that
would be placed on academic staff. The Committee queried the timing of this work
and suggested that the introduction of post-qualification admissions might require
further consideration of term structure. A trial in a small number of Faculties and
Departments could help inform any larger decision and
suggested
that smaller changes (such as no lectures on a Saturday) could also be effective.
requested that operations be involved in any further conversations.
The Committee agreed to set up a working group to discuss the implications of the
proposals.
560.4
Business items
560.4.1
Matters relating to apprenticeships
The Committee received a proposal prepared by the Director of the Institute of
Continuing Education to apply for the University to become a registered End Point
Assessment Organisation. The Committee noted that this is a requirement of the
Education and Skills Funding Agency for institutions which offer or wish to offer
integrated apprenticeships, such as the MSt Architecture Apprenticeship
(E6392).
The Committee approved the proposal.
The Committee was also invited to consider the risk analysis and recommendations
relating to the recent transfer of quality oversight to Ofsted
(E6393). The Committee
approved the recommendations.
560.4.2
MPhil Residence Requirements
The Committee approved the proposed change to the regulations for the MPhil
degrees to allow greater flexibility for students to spend time away from Cambridge
where this is a mandatory or expected part of their course
(E6394). Taking account
of concerns that this will lead to increased numbers of students spending time away
from Cambridge, the Committee asked the Postgraduate Committee to monitor the
number of applications to work away over the next year.
560.4.3
Exam data retention guide
The Committee received a further draft of the guide that had been amended to
require examiners to place a mark on scripts which would provide a means of
ensuring that there was contemporaneous evidence of assessment for audit
purposes
(E6395). Members considered other practice, such as the use of mark
sheets, and agreed that the guide should not specify the format of contemporaneous
evidence but should provide examples. The Committee also agreed that marking
digital scripts would be an acceptable practice. In acknowledgement of concerns that
5
exams had already started, it was agreed that the Guide would be implemented from
2021/22 onwards. It remains unclear whether the Office of the Independent
Adjudicator will require examiners’ personal notes to be retained, and it was agreed
that until this was clarified it should not be an expectation within the University.
560.4.4
OfS Gravity assist letter and response
, Technology-Enabled Learning (TEL) Service, attended to speak to this
item. The Office for Students has written to all providers in light of its review of the
pivot to digital teaching and learning during the pandemic. While not representing
regulatory guidance, it recommends six core components of successful digital
teaching and learning and prompts institutions to use these components in reflecting
on their provision and future strategy
(E6396). Discussion took place around each of
the six themes, as well as the current workplan for the TEL Service
(E6397). The
Committee was supportive of the current direction of travel and had no further
comments or queries on proposed actions.
was invited to the next meeting
to discuss continued development of the TEL Service.
560.4.5
Changes to Statutes and Ordinances
The Committee approved the proposed changes to Statutes and Ordinances
(E6398).
560.4.6
Proposal to extend the Law exchange programme
The Committee approved the proposal to add partner institutions outside of Europe
to the year abroad exchange programme in Law, made in response to the institution
no longer being eligible to participate in the ERASMUS scheme
(E6399). The
proposal was recently endorsed by the Senior Tutors’ Education Committee.
560.4.7
Update on the application for the Turing Scheme
The Committee noted an update on the application for the Turing Scheme, a new
scheme established to support student mobility
(E6400). The results of the
University’s application will be known in July 2021.
560.4.8
Annual Report from the Study Away Risk Assessment Committee
The Committee is noted the annual report from the Study Away Risk Assessment
Committee
(E6401).
560.5 Minutes of other committees
560.5.1
Senior Tutors’ Committee
The Committee noted the unconfirmed minutes from the meeting of the Senior
Tutors’ Committee on 12 March 2021
(E6402).
560.5.2
Academic Standards and Enhancement Committee
The Committee noted the confirmed minutes from the meeting of the Academic
Standards and Enhancement Committee on 24 March 2021
(E6403).
560.5.3
Postgraduate Committee
6
The Committee noted the confirmed minutes from the meeting of the Postgraduate
Committee on 9 March 2021
(E6404) and the unconfirmed minutes from the meeting
on 4 May 2021
(E6405).
560.5.4
Examinations and Assessment Committee
The Committee noted the unconfirmed minutes from the meeting of the
Examinations and Assessment Committee on 29 April 2021
(E6406).
Date of Next Meeting
14.00 Wednesday 30 June 2021
7
561
General Board of the Faculties
Education Committee
A meeting of this Committee was held at 14.00 on Wednesday 30 June 2021, via
Zoom.
Declarations of interest
561.1
Minutes
The minutes of the meeting held on 19 May 2021 were approved subject to a
revision to minute 560.4.2.
Matters arising
Items since last meeting agreed by circulation or Chair’s action
• Approval of the AMES/MML Part II safety net being extended to 2021-22 to
cover students who intermitted in 2020-21.
Chair’s report
•
i.
The Chair reported the publication of case studies collated by UUK
(support-
for-new-students-case-studies.pdf (universitiesuk.ac.uk) relating to the transition of
students from school to university, and the impact of learning loss related to
the pandemic. Universities have some responsibility to assist in this transition
and, as well as Cambridge being included in the case studies it is useful to
see what other universities are doing. Committee members are requested to
disseminate the link to colleges and faculties and departments.
ii.
The Chair reported that this meeting would be the last attended by
of the Education Quality and Policy Office, whom he thanked. He also offered
sincere thanks to the outgoing Student Union representatives,
for their thoughtful and positive contributions over
the last year.
iii.
The Framework for Assessment for 2021-22 and 24hr exams. The Chair
reported that he had become aware of concerns around the impact of 24hr
exams from Senior Tutors and others. Some students preferred them, but
others either felt under pressure, or put themselves under pressure to work for
much longer than the recommended 3 hrs. While the 24hr option would
remain available for 2021-22 the Committee agreed that further consideration
should be given to whether other options might be made available, for
example 6hr or 8hr windows.
iv.
UUK Statement of Intent on Grade Inflation. In June 2019 GBEC agreed to a
piece of work in response to the UUK Statement of Intent on Grade Inflation in
order to understand more about awarding and examination practice in the
University alongside analysis of exam data. This work was paused in March
2020 because of Covid but emerging exam data shows some grade inflation,
some quite significant, so it is prudent to resume this work. This will be done
over the summer by the Education Quality and Policy Office.
v.
Education Monitoring and Review. The Chair gave an update on the
implementation of the new system of review. The immediate next steps are:
a. A meeting with the Schools of Arts and Humanities and Clinical
Medicine, and with the Institute of Continuing Education.
b. To agree the pilot departments (ideally one from each School).
c. To meet with colleagues working on the future of Strategic Research
Reviews for greater clarity on how the two processes will run side by
side.
d. To develop the operational side, including managing the data.
vi.
The Chair reported that the Teaching and Learning Easter Term Survey had
recently been circulated to students; results will be reported to the Committee.
561.2
Starred items
The Committee approved the starred items.
2
561.3
Strategic discussion
561.3.1
Arrangements for teaching and learning in Michaelmas Term 2021
The Committee held a brief discussion on arrangements for Michaelmas Term noting
that planning should assume that some social distancing arrangements would be in
place in the Autumn. Faculties and Departments will receive revised guidance on
making arrangements for teaching next term and the use of teaching space shortly.
The Committee heard that it will be difficult to provide definite guidance for next year
to Faculties and Departments as we will not have an announcement from the
Government regarding this until at least 12 July. Planning for in-person teaching
should be with 1 metre social distancing in mind. The Committee also heard that the
guidance is predicated on Faculties and Departments following the additional
guidance on teaching safety and that risk assessment will be an ongoing risk
assessment and that the teaching space guidance will be actively kept under review.
The Committee was also asked to note that Faculties and Departments should be
aware that there will not be central support for hybrid teaching and that no final
decision has been made on testing yet.
561.3.2
Residence requirements for part-time students
A brief discussion on residency requirements for part-time matriculated students took
place, with the Committee noting that work in this area had necessarily been placed
on hold due to COVID-19. The Committee
agreed to the recommendations
proposed by the Residency Requirements Review Group in the paper (
E6411)
pending further consultation and reconfirmed the need for students who are not
resident in Cambridge throughout the academic year to be able to engage with their
College. It was suggested that current part-time students be consulted as part of the
ongoing work in this area. The Secretary of the STC expressed concern on behalf of
the Colleges on the matter of part-time matriculated postgraduates, especially in light
of the current discussions about an increase in their numbers and the extension of
the part-time option to all postgraduate courses where this is compatible with their
nature, as well as the connection with possible non-residential courses (such as the
Global EMBA). Part-time postgraduates are as much of a commitment to college
resources as full-time postgraduates; moreover, discussion on residence
requirements for them and other postgraduate courses is likely to impact in the
character of the Collegiate University as a residential institution. The Chair thanked
for her work as Chair of the Residency Requirements Review
Group.
The Committee also
agreed a residence period of around 45 days per year for part-
time postgraduate research students, clarifying that this should be an expectation
and not a requirement.
561.3.3
Proposal for a new Design Tripos
The Committee received a proposal from the Faculty of Architecture and History of
Art for a new 4-year degree course in design leading to the award of a Master of
3
Design degree. The new course was intended to start from October 2024. The draft
Report and relevant minute from the Academic Standards and Enhancement
Committee were received as papers (
E6413) and (
E6414).
The Committee welcomed the proposal, agreed that it was an exciting development,
and thanked colleagues who had contributed to the development of the course.
The Committee noted the careful discussion of the Academic Standards and
Enhancement Committee (ASEC), and the other University and College committees
which had reviewed the proposal. ASEC had drawn the Committee’s attention to
concerns around the space needed to deliver the course. The Committee noted that
there were ongoing broader discussions about the use of the University’s teaching
estate, and the Committee also recorded concerns around the risk to the course if
appropriate teaching space was not available. The Committee agreed that the
current wording in the draft Report around the use of the James Dyson Building
should be amended.
The Committee, for its part,
endorsed the Design Tripos
to the General Board for
discussion and approval, noting the Committee’s concerns about space.
561.4
Business items
561.4.1
Education Tripos reform
Major modifications to the Education Tripos with effect from October 2023 were
received as paper
E6415. The modifications would provide greater flexibility to
students in developing specialisms. The Committee also received the relevant
minute of the Academic Standards and Enhancement Committee (ASEC), and
revised Tripos regulations.
The Committee thanked the Faculty of Education, and
who led the
original Tripos review, for all their work on the revisions. The Committee noted the
work of ASEC and the Education Quality and Policy Office in supporting the drafting
of the new regulations.
The revised Tripos would be simpler and more streamlined in structure. This would
increase student choice and decrease staff workload. The Committee noted the
discussion at ASEC and ASEC’s support for the revised Tripos.
The Committee, for its part,
endorsed the modification of the Education Tripos to the
General Board for discussion and approval.
561.4.2
Monitoring academic engagement for student visa holders
In light of a recent change in Home Office requirements the Committee was asked to
approve proposals for monitoring academic engagement of students on student
visas
(E6416).
4
The Committee
approved the proposals but
noted that further work is needed to
encourage improved submission rates using the Postgraduate Feedback and
Reporting System.
561.4.3
Matters relating to the Institute of Continuing Education (ICE)
561.4.3.1
edX expansion request
The Committee was asked to approve proposals to continue the use of edX and to
expand its use to new MSt programmes
(E6417). Members noted the news that edX
had recently been sold to a for-profit entity which had the potential to affect its
partnership with the University which should continue to be monitored and kept
under review. The Committee approved specifically that ICE could continue to
deliver the MicroMasters in Writing for Performance and Entertainment Industries to
2025, and that the Academic Standards and Enhancement Committee should have
delegated authority to approve the embedding of a MicroMasters module into non-
matriculated courses. This should, however, be kept under review by GBEC.
561.4.3.2
Proposal to continue remote delivery of ICE non-matriculated
undergraduate and postgraduate
Members noted the need to confirm the delivery mode for these programmes to
inform recruitment materials
(E6418). The Committee approved the continuation of
remote delivery for ICE non-matriculated UG and PG courses for 2022-23.
561.4.4
CSU Report on the Effectiveness of the Academic Representative
System
A report on the effectiveness of student representatives had been circulated.
presented the findings.
The report was informed by discussions with student representatives and some
written feedback. It revealed that some student representatives perceive that
baseline standards are not being met. The report raised concerns including a lack of
shared understanding of the Academic Representative role, communication and
workload. It was suggested that a set of standards should be mutually agreed
between faculties/departments and CSU, and that a review of the student
representative role should happen over the Long Vacation of 2021.
The Committee endorsed the report and supported further work involving EQPO and
CCTL.
561.4.5
Review of Hardship Funding
presented the results of a recent review on
hardship funding (
E6420) and the recommendations contained therein. Two
recommendations were key: the increase of Chest funding to reduce the reliance on
non-recurrent sources of funds, and streamlining of the application process. The
latter point was noted as critical for improved student experience and parallels
similar work in scholarship funding, although it was noted that this would require
significant work and investment to achieve.
5
For its part, the Committee warmly endorsed the recommendations in the report and
enthusiastically commended them to the Planning and Resources Committee. The
Committee further extended its thanks to all members of the Hardship Committee for
their work and commitment to improvement.
561.4.6
Review of the Terms of Reference of the Committee and sub-
committees
561.4.6.1
GBEC Terms of Reference
The Committee approved changes to the Terms of Reference to include a Deputy
Chair
(E6421). The changes were subject to approval at General Board.
561.4.6.2
***Terms of reference for the Examinations and Assessment
Committee
The Committee approved the revised terms of reference for the Examinations and
Assessment Committee and its sub-committee, the Examinations Access Mitigation
Committee
(E6422).
561.4.6.3
***Access and Participation Plan Scrutiny Group
The Committee approved the revised terms of reference for the Access and
Participation Plan Scrutiny (formerly Steering) Group
(E6423).
561.4.6.4
Technology-Enabled Learning, Teaching and Assessment Working
Group
The Committee approved the Terms of Reference for a new GBEC Working Group
(E6424) which will
replace the Digital Teaching & Learning Sub-committee, currently
in abeyance, and the Technology-Enabled Learning Development Board. It will also
pick up business currently being managed via the Teaching, Learning & Assessment
20-21 Working Group. The new Working Group will be constituted for three years in
the first instance. Membership will be taken forward over the summer and the
Committee approved appointments via Chair’s action as appropriate.
561.4.7
***Lessons learned in Digital Teaching and Learning: Progress Report
The Committee noted the update from the Cambridge Centre for Teaching and
Learning on the ongoing review of digital teaching and learning
(E6425).
561.4.8
***Re-use of recorded lecture material in AY2021-22
The Committee approved the final version of the Guidance for Re-use of Material
(E6426), following revisions made in response to members’ feedback, in particular to
amend the requirement to caption to a recommendation.
561.4.9
Review of recording policy
The Committee approved the revised Policy on Recording of Teaching
Materials/Lectures
(E6427),
with the inclusion of an appendix which would present
clarifying statements on the expectation to record and access to recordings, specific
to the 2021-22 academic year. While noting that these statements fell outside the
Policy itself and were exclusively in response to pandemic restrictions, the
Committee felt they should be presented alongside for greater transparency.
561.4.10
***Collaborative Postgraduate Provision Framework
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The Committee approved the final Framework for Collaborative Postgraduate
Provision, following changes made after the 18 March 2020 meeting (minute 549.3.3
applies)
(E6428).
561.4.11
***Code of Practice for Disabled Students
The Committee approved the revised Code of Practice which will take effect from
Michaelmas Term 2021
(E6429).
561.4.12
***Research Misconduct Policy
The Committee approved the Research Misconduct Policy
(E6430), noting that it has
been discussed by the HR Committee and approved by the Resource Planning
Committee.
561.4.13
***Academic Integrity Charter and Use of Turnitin Policy
The Committee noted the recommendation from the Academic Standards and
Enhancement Committee that the University signs the Quality Assurance Agency
Academic Integrity Charter, and approved the revised policy on the use of Turnitin
(E6431).
561.4.14
***Proposal to hold in-person oral examinations
The Committee approved the proposal to hold in-person oral examinations for the
Postgraduate Certificate of Professional Practice in Architecture which will take place
in September 2021
(E6432).
561.5
***Minutes of other committees
561.5.1
Senior Tutors’ Committee
The Committee noted the unconfirmed minutes from the meeting of the Senior
Tutors’ Committee on 21 May 2021
(E6433).
561.5.2
Academic Standards and Enhancement Committee
The Committee agreed to receive the confirmed minutes from the meeting of the
Academic Standards and Enhancement Committee on 12 May 2021
(E6434) and
the unconfirmed minutes from the meeting on 23 June 2021
(E6435) at a later date.
561.5.3
Access and Participation Plan Steering Group
The Committee noted the unconfirmed minutes from the meeting of the Strategic
Working Group on Access and Participation meeting on 29 March 2021
(E6436).
561.5.4
Board of Executive and Professional Education
The Committee noted the unconfirmed minutes from the meeting of the Board of
Executive and Professional Education on 13 May 2021
(E6437)
561.5.5
Doctoral Training Programmes Committee
The Committee noted the unconfirmed minutes from the meeting of the Doctoral
Training Programmes Committee on 16 June 2021
(E6438).
561.5.6
Examinations and Assessment Committee
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The Committee noted the unconfirmed minutes from the meeting of the
Examinations and Assessment Committee on 24 May 2021
(E6439).
561.5.7
Health and Wellbeing Committee
The Committee noted the unconfirmed minutes from the meeting of the Health and
Wellbeing Committee on 11 June 2021
(E6440) and agreed to recommend to
Faculties and Departments that they provide menstrual products in University
buildings.
561.5.8
Postgraduate Admissions Committee
The Committee noted the unconfirmed minutes from the meeting of the
Postgraduate Admissions Committee on 10 June 2021
(E6441). 561.5.9
Undergraduate Admissions Committee
The Committee noted the unconfirmed minutes from the meeting of the
Undergraduate Admissions Committee on 17 May 2021
(E6442).
561.5.10
Student Support Initiative Steering Group
The Committee noted the unconfirmed minutes from the meeting of the Student
Support Initiative Steering Group on 14 June 2021
(E6443).
Date of Next Meeting
14.00 Wednesday 14 September 2021
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