Education Committee
Standing Orders (approved by Senate 9 October 2012)
(Strategy committee of Senate)
These Standing Orders should be read in conjunction with the General Committee section of Standing Orders available on the University's website.
Membership
The Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Education) (Chair)
The Dean for Postgraduate and Undergraduate Education (Deputy Chair)
The Colleges’ Deputy Head for Student Experience
Six Deputy Heads of Faculty, who Chair Faculty UG and PG Education Committees (or nominated alternatives if Chairs are unable to attend)
Durham Students’ Union Education and Welfare Officer
Chair of Durham Students’ Union’s Academic Affairs Committee (Undergraduate) or Academic Affairs Committee (Postgraduate)
The Academic Registrar
Co-option (tbc)
Invitation to attend meetings (tbc)
Secretariat
The Secretary to be appointed by the Registrar in consultation with the Chair.
Meetings
The Committee shall normally meet up to eight times a year.
Terms of reference
The Committee shall:
a) develop and recommend to UEC, Senate and Council, as appropriate, policy and sub-strategies in support of the University’s Strategy 2010-2020 for excellence in research-led education; ensure that the University’s education provision is continually developed and enhanced in response to changes in external markets and environments; support all aspects of learning, teaching, assessment, and the student experience for both postgraduates and undergraduates;
b) monitor and report on progress with implementation of agreed policies, strategies and sub-strategies;
c) develop and embed policies and practices which ensure all our students receive an education as a global citizen and that all our students are considered ‘international’ regardless of their country of origin;
d) oversee the University’s physical learning environments (lecture theatres, libraries laboratories, College learning spaces, etc) to continually enhance learning opportunities and the student experience (to facilitate this, the Chair – PVC (Education) - will be a member of the Capital Planning Group);
e) develop and recommend policies to UEC, Senate and Council on student recruitment and admissions and monitor and implement the outcomes of such policies;
f) advise and recommend to UEC, Senate and Council as appropriate, policies and procedures for assuring the quality and standards of undergraduate and postgraduate provision and systematically enhancing the quality of learning opportunities and student experience;
g) develop, recommend and monitor implementation of policies designed to enhance student employability, nationally and globally;
h) develop and recommend University responses to external consultations on education and the student experience;
i) take responsibility for devising, recommending, and monitoring implementation of policies to ensure continual improvement in the student experience ( NSS or similar), and to be responsible for the management and oversight of the University’s engagement with external accrediting and validating bodies, such as the QAA;
j) advise and make recommendations on policies and procedures for the development, management and delivery of training and development opportunities for PhD students, particularly through the establishment and operation of Durham Doctoral Training Centres
k) under delegated authority, and within the existing approved frameworks, approve on behalf of Senate proposals for:
i) new undergraduate and postgraduate programmes;
ii) revisions to existing undergraduate and postgraduate programmes;
iii) the withdrawal of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes.
The Committee shall report to UEC and Senate on all action taken under this delegated authority;
l) make recommendations to UEC (through the PVC(Education) as Chair) on collaborative partnerships and validation of external qualifications.
m) review on an annual basis the number, membership and remit of sub-committees which the Education Committee needs to carry out its business effectively.