Department Committees

Terms of Reference

It is recommended that the Department Committees have the following responsibilities:

Planning

  • Prepares the Departmental Plan for approval by Curriculum Strategy Committee and Senate
  • Monitors the implementation of the Departmental Plan.
  • Implements and monitors local application of relevant University strategies including the University's Strategic Plan and the Learning, Teaching and Assessment Plan.

 Academic and Research Management and Strategy

  • Oversees the development, delivery and review of taught and postgraduate research programmes within the purview of the Department by:
    • considering proposals for the development of programmes;
    • ensuring that appropriate arrangements are put in place for the delivery of programmes, taking account of the resources and facilities available locally and elsewhere in the University;
    • ensuring that the requirements of relevant professional bodies are met and overseeing the University’s relationship with such bodies;
    • implementing appropriate strategies and arrangements for quality enhancement, and for improving and keeping under review the experience of students within the Department;
    • considering and, as appropriate, acting on the outcomes of reviews of programmes and of the Department;
    • ensuring that University procedures for quality assurance are implemented within the Department
  • Advises the Head of Department, as requested, on the priorities in setting the Department budget
  • Advises the Head of Department and University committees as required on University policy and strategies related to teaching, research and scholarly activity as they apply to the Department
  • Advises the Head of Department, as requested, on research, enterprise and other scholarly activities within the Department

Communication and Consultation

  • Promotes awareness and understanding within the Department of decisions, proposals and developments at Departmental, University, national and international levels that have significance for the academic life of the Department;
  • Reports annually to Senate on:
    • Implementation of Department Plans
    • Progress in addressing University Annual Priorities (e.g. retention, student experience)
    • Other significant items of note
  • Acts as a vehicle for Senate to consult with academic staff on a range of issues.

Composition

  • Head of Department (Chair)
  • All academic staff
  • Department Officer
  • Head Technician (where appropriate)
  • Undergraduate and Postgraduate Student representatives
  • Others to be invited to attend as required (e.g. technical staff, account managers)

Meeting Frequency

Department Committees will normally meet at least five times during the academic year

Servicing

Member of administrative staff appointed by the Academic Registrar.

It is also recommended that:

  • Meetings should be scheduled with reference to the University planning and budgetary process and the University quality calendar.
  • Formal agendas and minutes must be produced for each meeting, distributed to all members of the Department and made available to the wider University.
  • Committee secretaries should undertake committee servicing training, which will be provided by University Secretariat.
  • An annual review of the Terms of Reference will be carried out by the Committee, making recommendations of appropriate changes to Senate, for its consideration.