Summary from the June Board

You can download this as a one page summary document here

Digital Story

Krishin Ramchandani, Student Communications graduate intern shared his digital story with the Board. Krishin spoke of his experience of being an international student and the challenges of adapting to the different culture (and the weather) and drawing on the support of fellow students, academic and professional services to succeed at Hallam.

Delivering the step change programme – Highly Skilled Employment (HSE)

Conor Moss, Group Director for Business Engagement, Skills and Employability presented a paper providing a progress update on implementing the university wide HSE step change commitments and the plans for taking the project forward in 19/20. A huge amount of work has been completed for level 4 and further thought and focus now needs to be given to level 5 and 6, and the graduating class of 2019.

Delivering the step change programme – Student Experience and Teaching Quality

Neil McKay, Dean of Students provided a progress update and sought approval from the Board on one new policy and revisions to two existing policies, as detailed in the board paper.

• The Board approved the new Academic Advising Policy and Neil confirmed student attendance of appointments is being captured in the CRM system.
• The Board approved both revisions to the Peer Review and Enhancement Policy and the Assessment Policy with just one minor amendment to the latter concerning assessment taught sessions and screencasts.

The Hallam Model

Kevin Kerrigan, PVC Business Engagement and Enterprise and SBS and Elaine Buckley, Interim Assistant Dean for Academic Development, presented a paper and verbal update to the Board. The Hallam Model principles have been agreed by the Vice-Chancellor and University Leadership Team and will ensure that every student will Engage, Challenge, Collaborate and Thrive. Detailed work is now taking place on how to implement each of the Hallam Model principles including a detailed equality, diversity and inclusion analysis and an ambitious but realistic timeline.

Access and Participation Plan

Linda Mason, Director of Strategy, Planning and Insight provided the latest draft and sought input from the Board on the strategic direction, focus and level of ambition for our new Access and Participation plan ahead of finalising it for the end of June to submit to the Office for Students by the 1 July deadline.

Current recruitment position

Phil Bloor, Head of Admissions, provided an update on 2019 full-time undergraduate recruitment as of the May acceptance deadline. Whilst the university has increased offer making and maintained conversion in an increasingly competitive market we are in a weaker position compared with the same point last year – leading to an increasingly challenging target for Clearing.  The drop in the number of firm acceptances is a result of the fall in applications as the proportion of applicants accepting our offer as their firm choice has remained the same as last year.  There has been an increase in applicants choosing us as their insurance choice.

This is the first cycle in which the University has offered a wide range of ‘with Foundation Year’ courses in the main cycle which have attracted large numbers of applications – projected to convert into over 700 enrolments.

Academic Writing                                  

Mary Dawson, Director of Library Services and Neil McKay, Dean of Students presented an update on the use and success of Studiosity and outlined the options for transitioning to the future academic writing support offer. The Board approved the preferred option of all students continuing to have the option to use Studiosity but with the total minutes being divided into tranches and released at pre-determined dates in the academic year, in addition to promoting the service to priority groups of students.

Academic Advising

Melissa Jacobi Academic Director for Academic Advising and Neil McKay, Dean of Students gave a summary of progress, success and impact to date, alongside the comprehensive summary paper provided. The board discussed the challenges around ensuring students engage with their Academic Advisers and the need to change student perceptions from a deficit model of someone they see when they have a problem to someone they have regular conversations with celebrating their success or mentoring their continuing academic development.   It was noted that the training aimed at helping Advisers to have better discussions with their students is valued.

You can download this as a one page summary document here