Welcome Open Staff Meeting November 2007 Professor Caroline Gipps Vice-Chancellor

Student Enrolments Full Time student numbers remain strong –Slight decrease in UG numbers –Increase in PG(T) numbers –Essential that Schools check all students are enrolled otherwise we are supporting students for no funding 2007/82006/7Dif UG PG(T) Total

Student Enrolments Part Time student enrolments causing concern –5% decrease in UG part-time numbers –9% decrease in PG(T) part-time numbers –Part-time students are essential represents over 30% of our total student numbers 2007/82006/7Dif UG PG(T) Total

Student Enrolments International student enrolment has improved 2007/82006/7Dif UG PG Total

Retention and Progression

Retention and Progression

Top up Fees Income/Expenditure £6.6m, but new expenditure on: Student bursaries (£1.2m) IT and AV (£1m) Pay modernisation (£2.5m) National pay award (£1m) Pension costs (£2m) New academic posts (£0.5m) Maintenance and repairs (£1.5m)

National Student Survey National response rate 59% (56% last year) UoW response rate 53% (55% last year) The proportion of (UoW) students who stated they were satisfied overall with the quality of their course was: »2007: 75% »2006: 72% Good position with Assessment & Feedback and Learning Resources

National Student Survey Assessment Category No of subjects Scoring above National Median No of Subjects Scoring equal to National Median No of Subjects Scoring below National Median Teaching6213 Assessment & feedback1407 Academic support6213 Organisation & management6213 Learning Resources1704 Personal development9111 Overall satisfaction6213

Retention and Progression A critical issue for this year Planning will provide a “Students at Risk” report to Schools Week 10, checking mid-semester results Highlight students that have failed to submit any / minimal work Available to Schools pre-Christmas Schools can use to follow up with students Similar process for Semester 2 First Year Experience Project

Regulation Review “Firsts and 2:1s” Undergraduate regulations being reviewed –Introduced in 2002/3. –To ensure regulations are broadly similar to other HEI’s –Checking whether regulations are the cause of a falling number of “Good Awards” (1 st class and 2:1 Honours) –Aim to reduce number of regulatory exemptions (National guidance by OIA) Some changes proposed this current year.

Institute of Learning Enhancement From 1 January 2008 CELT will be renamed the Institute of Learning Enhancement The Institute will work in partnership with Schools using a consultancy approach Director post advertised November 16 th

Transforming Timetabling Wide-ranging consultation New timetabling & rooming policy and procedures Meet the requirements of students and staff Improve room utilisation

WOLF 2 and PebblePad Piloting of WOLF 2, with its exciting new learning tools, will commence in Semester 2. Each School will be asked to offer three modules. Opportunities for staff development will be available over the summer months WOLF 2 will be fully implemented in Semester All current materials will be transferred for staff. The University has also recently invested in PebblePad and will continue to use this platform as long as it is needed Use of a commercial VLE will be investigated

Pay Modernisation A draft agreement has now been given positive support by our recognised unions (UCU and UNISON) both locally and nationally with agreement to move forward to formal ballots of their members Information packs are being issued to staff with effect from 22 November 2008 Communication meetings for staff, run by the pay modernisation team, 26th Nov- 7th Dec Both unions will be running ballots in the period 26th November to 13th December and also holding members’ meetings.

Environmental Issues Environmental Policy to be drawn up Actions that would involve all staff include: –Promoting Fair Trade products to reduce food miles. –Waste segregation and recycling –Integrated transport policy Actions for University management include : Appointing an Energy Manager Possible Combined Heat and Power for Performing Arts Centre at Walsall.

Thank you & Questions?