University Executive Board minutes - 18 April 2023

On

Date:

18 April 2023

Present:

Professor S Hartley (SH) (in the Chair), Professor A Blom, Professor S Fitzmaurice (SF), J Jones (JJ), Professor M Vincent (MV), Professor C Watkins (CW), I Wright (IW)

In attendance:

T Wray (TW)

Apologies:

Professor K Lamberts, Professor J Derrick, J Strachan, R Sykes, Professor G Valentine, Professor J Litster

Secretary:

K Sullivan

  1. Closed Minute and Paper

  2. Report of the UEB Strategic Advisory Group: Student Recruitment and Population

    • UEB received and approved the report of the UEB Strategic Advisory Group Student Recruitment and Population (SAG SRP), noting updates on University-Level Tuition Fee Setting, the QS Top 100 Rankings Task Forces, Inclusive Fees and Additional Costs and the new programmes approval process.

    • During discussion the following was highlighted:

      • In approving proposed tuition fee increases for 2024-2025, UEB noted that the recommendations followed consultation with relevant PS departments and was based on comparison of Sheffield’s 2023-24 fees with those of the Russel Group.
      • SAG SRP had considered increasing fees further but felt there was a risk.
      • SAG SRP acknowledged the importance of reviewing overseas agents' commission; a separate report was expected to come forward on this.
      • SAG SRP recognised that in terms of disclosing ‘inclusive fees and additional costs’ , SAG SRP agreed that action would be taken to ensure consistency and understanding. UEB noted that it was important to have clear oversight of these actions.
      • With regard to the new Programme Approval Process, UEB supported the principle that approval could only be considered if programmes were expected to reach the minimal viable cohort number and it was important this approach was understood across Faculties.
      • UEB suggested that further detail on the actions outlined in the report would be helpful.

  3. Round Table

    • Open Day:  SF shared feedback about issues with some of the rooms at the recent offer holder day; some rooms had not been accessible to visitors and some areas did not appear to have been cleaned; this would be shared with the Director of Estates and Facilities