UNIVERSITY OF ABERDEEN UNIVERSITY COURT TUESDAY, 11 DECEMBER 2018 THE FOLLOWING PAPERS HAVE BEEN WITHHELD ON THE GROUNDS OF CONFIDENTIALITY: Item 5.1 Borrowing and Medium Term Financial Strategy Item 5.2 Science Teaching Hub Item 6 Student Recruitment Item 9 Update on REF Item 11.5 Going Concern Report Item 12.1 Korea Campus Update Item 12.2 Proposed TNE Project in Sri Lanka - Update Item 12.3 Qatar Campus Update Item 15.4 Strategic Investment for Academic Growth Item 15.8 Development Trust Activity Item 15.9 Health, Wellbeing and Safety Report Item 15.10 Financial Management Report THE FOLLOWING PAPERS HAVE BEEN REDACTED ON THE GROUNDS OF CONFIDENTIALITY: Item 11.3 Audit Committee Annual Report There will be a meeting of the UNIVERSITY COURT on Tuesday 11 December 2018 at 9am to 3pm in the Linklater Rooms, Elphinstone Hall. BUSINESS DECLARATION OF INTEREST: Any member or individual in attendance (including officers) who has a clear interest in a matter on the agenda must declare that interest at the meeting. BUSINESS FOR DISCUSSION 1 9am DECLARATION OF INTEREST AND CONSIDERATION OF FORMAL BUSINESS 2 9am MINUTES Note: An Action Log is enclosed with the minutes. 3 9.05am REPORT FROM THE PRINCIPAL 4 9.15am INSTITUTIONAL STRATEGY: NEXT STEPS Presentation from the Principal 5 9.45am CAPITAL INVESTMENT AND FINANCIAL STRATEGY (Strictly Confidential) 5.1 Borrowing and Medium Term Financial Strategy 5.2 Science Teaching Hub 6 10.30am STUDENT RECRUITMENT 2018/19 (Strictly Confidential) 11.00am Coffee 7 11.15am PROCESS FOR THE APPOINTMENT OF THE SENIOR GOVERNOR (Strictly Confidential) 8 12.00pm ORAL REPORT FROM EXTRAORDINARY MEETING OF REMUNERATION COMMITTEE 9 12.15pm UPDATE ON REF (Strictly Confidential) 10 12.30pm KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS AND RISK REGISTER 10.1 Key Performance Indicators Report for 2017/18 10.2 Risk Management Update (Strictly Confidential) 1.00pm Lunch 11 1.30pm FINANCE AND ANNUAL REPORTS 11.1 Annual Report and Accounts for Year End 31 July 2018 11.2 External Auditors’ Report & Representation Letter 11.3 Audit Committee Annual Report 11.4 Internal Auditors’ Annual Report 11.5 Going Concern Report (Strictly Confidential) 11.6 Update on USS 12 2.15pm INTERNATIONALISATION (Strictly Confidential) 12.1 Korea Campus Update 12.2 Proposed TNE Project in Sri Lanka – Update 12.3 Qatar Campus Update BUSINESS NOT PROPOSED FOR DISCUSSION MEMBERS ARE REMINDED THAT THEY CAN RAISE THESE ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION AND TO DO SO BY ADVISING THE CLERK ONE CLEAR WORKING DAY IN ADVANCE OF THE MEETING 13 OPERATING BOARD REPORT 14 REPORTS FROM COURT COMMITTEES AND JOINT COMMITTEES OF COURT AND SENATE 15 ROUTINE BUSINESS NOT PROPOSED FOR DISCUSSION 16 DATE OF NEXT MEETING: Tuesday 26 March 2018 UNIVERSITY COURT 11 December 2018 DECLARATION OF INTEREST AND CONSIDERATION OF FORMAL BUSINESS DECLARATION OF INTEREST: Any member or individual in attendance (including officers) who has a clear interest in a matter on the agenda must declare that interest at the meeting. BUSINESS FOR DISCUSSION: Items 2-12 are items of business proposed for discussion. BUSINESS NOT PROPOSED FOR DISCUSSION: Items 13 onward are to be considered as routine business for approval or for information without discussion. Members are reminded that they can raise these items for discussion and to do so by advising the clerk one clear working day in advance of the meeting. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Supplementary information is available at the foot of today’s agenda in Meeting Squared. Page 1 of 1 Item 1 Declaration of Interest.docx - Page 1 of 1 Overall Page 6 of 323 November 2018 UNIVERSITY COURT: LOG OF FOLLOW UP ACTIONS FROM COURT MEETINGS Court Date Minute Action Arising Action By:- Status Ref June 2018 243 Student Occupation University Secretary The Court agreed that the working group report should be strictly confidential but to endorse and minute its recommendations on lessons learned, being: - A review of all current policies which relate to incidents on campus (i.e. those outwith existing statutory legislation, Complete: review included in the codes of practice and/or locally agreed policies and Internal Audit Plan for 2018/19. procedures) should be included as an urgent priority in the ongoing programme of internal Audits which are conducted by PricewaterhouseCoopers as the University’s internal auditors; - All members of the University’s management team Complete: a training session has been undertake mandatory Conflict Resolution & Management provided by an external specialist training to support them in effectively managing future (September 2018). situations of a similar nature. In discussion, it was noted that this recommendation did not arise from a criticism of how senior management had handled a challenging situation but to recognise that all members of senior management might be called upon to respond to similar future situations should they arise and, therefore, should be trained to do so. - A review of existing security arrangements be undertaken with a view to ensuring that appropriately resourced and Complete: procurement process concluded for provision of additional trained staff are available to ensure the security and security support when required on a ‘call safety of the University community. It was suggested that off contract’ basis. Conflict Management the training for these staff should include reference to Training provided by an external examples of professionalism, good interpersonal skills specialist to over 100 staff engaged in and positive behaviours already exhibited by current student facing areas. members of University staff. In discussion, it was emphasised that this was not intended to suggest any criticism of the performance of security staff but to recognise, as a matter of good practice, the importance of such training being undertaken on an ongoing basis. Item 2a Action Log.docx - Page 1 of 3 Page 1 of 3 Overall Page 15 of 323 The importance of such training being appropriately funded was emphasised. In addition, the Court noted that there were currently vacancies for security staff and was assured that these would be addressed to ensure appropriate cover for normal operations was in place. - Discussions take place with the Sabbatical Officers and Complete Chief Executive of the Aberdeen University Students’ Association to explore how relations between it and the University could be enhanced with regard to ensuring the safety and security of staff and students on campus; Complete: The Working Group is - Cognisance should be taken of the work of the Values & engaging with the new Senior Cultures Working Group to raise awareness of the Management Team and is continuing to standards of reasonable behaviours of staff and students engage the University community more and the potential consequences should these not be widely with its work. It is anticipated that observed (which may involve formal staffing and/or a report will be presented to the Senate student conduct policies being invoked). in January 2019. June 2018 244 Research Excellence Framework Vice-Principal for Recurring: Report Scheduled for each Research Court The Court agreed: 1) that achievement of an enhanced performance in REF 2021 was a key strategic priority and as such, it should be included as a standing item on the Court’s agenda going forward; and Oct 2018 5 Minutes and Action Log: ‘AGM’ Proposal University Complete: The date of 26 January was Secretary confirmed by circulation to Court The Court noted that two potential dates for a new University ‘AGM’, to members in October. be held in partnership with the General Council, were under consideration. Members would be advised of the confirmed date as soon as practicable. Oct 2018 13 Report on League Tables Senior-Vice Complete: The information requested is Principal available at the foot of today’s agenda The Court requested further information on the ranking of Business in meeting squared. Schools in Scotland. Oct 2018 15 Update on REF Vice-Principal Complete: An update on this point is Item 2a Action Log.docx - Page 2 of 3 Page 2 of 3 Overall Page 16 of 323 Research included in the paper on today’s The Court was assured that Heads of Schools had been asked to agenda. ensure that staff were aware of where they were in terms of the assessed quality of their REF papers, however, Heads of Schools would be reminded of the importance of this Oct 2018 17 Governance and Nominations Committee: Amendments to Convener of Complete: The input of members has Standing Orders G&N/University been received and considered by the Secretary Governance & Nominations Committee It was agreed that queries from two members regarding proposals at an extraordinary meeting held on 12 for the amendment of Standing Orders would be considered by the November and is reported on as part of Convener of the Committee in consultation with the relevant its report to today’s meeting. members out-with the meeting. If, following those discussions, amendments to the proposals were required these would, if practical, be considered by the Governance and Nominations Committee by circulation before being presented to Court. Oct 2018 19 Report on Decisions taken under Vacation Powers University In progress: The matter will be Secretary considered by the Governance & It was agreed that the Governance and Nominations Committee Nominations Committee as part of its should review whether the procedure for taking such decisions next formal scheduled meeting on 1 should be expanded to involve a wider representation of Court February 2019. members. Oct 2018 41 Senior Governor University Complete: A report is included in the Secretary papers for today’s agenda and the The Court agreed that the Governance and Nominations Committee has recommended to Court Committee, with appropriate adjustments to ensure gender adjustments to gender balance its balance, should oversee the process and provide an initial report to membership.