University Teaching Committee

Terms

Terms of reference

  1. To develop the University's Learning and Teaching Strategy (subject to Senate approval), and to monitor its implementation;
  2. To support the enhancement of learning, teaching and student research, through the development and dissemination of good practice and innovation, and by raising the profile of teaching and learning;
  3. Within the context of the University's Learning and Teaching Strategy, to develop relevant policy, and monitor its implementation, including:
    • The academic framework (subject to Senate approval)
    • Collaborative provision (subject to Senate approval)
    • Assessment and external examining (primarily through the work of the Standing Committee on Assessment)
    • Programme approval, monitoring and review
  4. In association with relevant committees and offices, to develop, and monitor the implementation of, policy at the interface between the University's Learning and Teaching Strategy and other relevant strategies including the Widening Participation Strategy, HR Strategy, Information Strategy, Employability Strategy and Student Wellbeing Strategy. Examples include:
    • The support, development and recognition of achievement of those involved in teaching and learning (in conjunction with Professional and Organisational Development, and HR Policy Committee)
    • Academic support and development for taught and research students, including supervisory practices and personal development planning (in conjunction with the Researcher Development Team and Student Services Committee)
    • Admissions and widening participation at undergraduate and postgraduate level (in conjunction with Student Recruitment and Admissions). The Committee is also responsible for monitoring the implementation of the Widening Participation Strategy (on behalf of Senate)
    • Learning and student research resources (in conjunction with the Research Committee and Information Strategy Group)
    • Teaching and learning infrastructure (in conjunction with Campus Development Stragegy Group, Campus Services and the Timetabling Office)
  5. To approve proposals for new taught and research degree programmes (under powers delegated by Senate), for collaborative provision involving taught or research degree programmes (with reference to Senate as per policy), and for modifications to existing taught programmes
  6. To monitor the standards of taught and research degree programmes and the quality of students' academic experience on those programmes through:
    • Consideration of reports from the Quality Assurance Agency, Professional Statutory and Regulatory Bodies and other external bodies
    • Periodic reviews and other visits
    • Consideration of annual programme review reports and overview reports of all external examiners' reports for programmes of study
    • Consideration of data from internal and external surveys of student opinion, including the National Student Survey, Postgraduate Taught Experience and Postgraduate Research Experience Survey
    • Consideration of data on employability 
    • Consideration of data on student progression and academic achievement, and on appeals and complaints in terms of their impact on the student experience (primarily undertaken by the Standing Committee on Assessment and the Equality and Diversity Committee)
    and to ensure that, where necessary, appropriate action is taken in response.
  7. To promote student engagement on matters relating to the standards and quality of taught and research degree programmes and the academic experience of students on those programmes (in conjunction with York University Students' Union and the Graduate Students' Association)
  8. To consider any matters concerning taught and research programmes and the academic experience of students on those programmes that may be referred to it by Senate, Boards of Studies or other committees
  9. To refer to Planning Committee any resource matters arising from its work
  10. To establish fora* and working groups to facilitate its work
  11. To consider ways of promoting equal opportunties and diversity in relation to all the above.

Notes

* The following fora/groups currently report to Teaching Committee:

  • Coordinating Group for Supplementary Programmes
  • Distance Learning Forum
  • Employability Co-ordination Group

Membership

Membership

  • Deputy-Vice-Chancellor for Learning and Teaching (ex officio) (Chair)
    • Professor Trevor Sheldon
      Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Learning and Teaching
  • Chair of the Standing Committee for Assessment (ex officio) (from January 2012) 
    • Dr Steve King
      Computer Science
  • Academic Registrar (ex officio)
    • Mrs Kate Dodd
      Academic Registrar
  • Senior Assistant Registrar, Academic Support Office (ex officio)
    • Mr Nigel Dandy
      Academic Support Office
  • Fourteen members, with at least four members from each of the three main subject areas, of whom at least nine should normally be of the status of present or former Heads of Department or Chairs of Boards of Studies or Graduate School Boards. Twelve of the members to be appointed by the Senate and two co-opted by the Committee without reference to Senate
    • Dr Henrice Altink (until July 2012)
      History
    • Dr Andy Parsons (until July 2012)
      Chemistry
    • Ms Ellen Roberts (until July 2012)
      Social Policy and Social Work
    • Dr Michael White (until July 2013)
      History of Art
    • Dr Helen Smith (until July 2013)
      English
    • Dr Luigi Siciliani (until July 2013)
      Economics
    • Dr Richard Waites (until July 2013)
      Biology
    • Mrs Lesley Booth (until July 2013)
      Centre for Lifelong Learning 
    • Dr Roddy Vann (Until July 2013, co-opted)
      Physics
    • Dr Richard Ogden (until July 2013)
      Language and Linguistic Science
    • Professor Werner Bonefeld (until July 2014)
      Politics
    • Professor Paul Drew (until July 2014)
      Sociology
    • Professor Carl Thompson (until July 2014)
      Health Sciences
    • Dr T T Arvind (until July 2014)
      Law
  • One undergraduate student (or alternate) for unreserved business*
    • Graeme Osborn *
      Students' Union Academic Officer
  • One graduate student (or alternate) for unreserved business*
    • Beatrice Akua-Sakyiwah*
      Graduate Students' Association Academic Officer

In attendance

  • Assistant Registrar (secretary)
    • Ms Cathy Moore
      Academic Support Office

Observer

  • York College Representative
    • Mr Bob Saynor
      York College

* The Students' Union and Graduate Students' Association are permitted to designate alternates to student members of the committee.

Meetings

Meeting dates

The meeting dates for 2011/12 academic year are as follows:

  • Monday 17 October 2011
  • Monday 07 November 2011
  • Monday 12 December 2011
  • Monday 16 January 2012
  • Monday 12 March 2012
  • Monday 21 May 2012
  • Monday 25 June 2012

There will be a meeting on Monday 19 December 2011 at 12:15 (including lunch) to consider Departmental APR reports.   

Programme approvals

The Planning Committee must approve new programmes prior to UTC approval. Programme approvals should be sent to the UTC secretary after approval has been granted.

For more information:

Minutes

Meeting minutes

2011 - 2012

 2010 - 2011

2009 - 2010

2008 - 2009

2007 - 2008

2006 - 2007

2005 - 2006

2004 - 2005

2003 - 2004

2002 - 2003

    Additional minutes

    For minutes relating to committee meetings from previous academic years, please contact the Academic Support Office.

     

    Chair

    Who to contact

    Departmental contacts

    For academic advice on programme proposals/modifications, contacts must also attend departmental APR meetings.