At its March 2021 meeting, EdPSC endorsed the changes agreed by ASC, meaning that the operation of 'discretion' in the award of degree classifications would be replaced by the application of firm boundaries and an algorithm to be applied in the borderline zones.  

In follow up to the point noted in the Social Sciences Annual Monitoring Summary regarding the perceived poor quality of IT hardware at the Dumfries campus, it was reported that staff were primarily supported by UWS but this would shortly be changing so that support would in future be provided by Glasgow. All members of staff would be provided with a laptop and would then access Glasgow systems and desktop support directly. 

It had been confirmed that, in view of the continuing heavy workload for staff, temporary changes to courses made for session 2020-21 in response to the pandemic, which were now intended to continue into future sessions, did not need to be confirmed through the full approval process for 2021-22. 

The MSc Medical Visualisation and Human Anatomy was a GSA joint programme with the University of Glasgow, and at its January 2021 meeting ASC had asked for an extra statement to be added to the review report about the scrutiny process before revalidation could be confirmed. That statement was in preparation. 

ASC/2020/43.1.1 College of Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences

Mr Rogerson introduced the Annual Report from MVLS. The report mirrored some of the issues and concerns raised in the other PGT college AMRs. Mr Rogerson highlighted the success of online delivery of teaching and application of the No Detriment policy. One item raised in the report concerned plagiarism in online exams and student misunderstanding of this. It was also noted that, despite such concerns, overall results had been similar to those achieved in previous sessions.

There was a question around whether weekly Covid testing was to be introduced, in order to allow students to return to campus. Professor Morrison advised that this was under review, with in-principle agreement for twice weekly testing, though this would take time to roll out. There was discussion of the concerns around timetabling. Ms Broad noted that the scale of the changes to teaching delivery in the last twelve months had created significant challenges in relation to timetabling and that this was on-going. Central timetabling was also conducting a review of courses that could be withdrawn.

Members noted that there were important issues around the format of teaching delivery for future years, such as whether all lectures should be available for remote as well as in-person attendance, and whether the appropriate technology would always be available to support this, to allow real-time remote participation as well as simply recording sessions. Professor Morrison noted that blended learning was a prominent feature of the Learning & Teaching Strategy but there were various principles around what this meant that needed further discussion.

ASC/2020/43.1.2 Overview

The following were identified as having worked well: response of staff to the challenges of online delivery; online exams processes; No Detriment policy; staff support; use of Zoom for lectures.

The following were identified as themes for the University's attention:

• IT/Remote Delivery: There were many comments pertaining to various aspects of IT provision for staff and students, including in relation to remote and blended-learning as noted in the discussion above.
• Staffing/Staff Workloads: the significant additional workload that the pandemic had created for staff was evident, with concerns around staff wellbeing. While staffing and workload issues were matters for College resourcing, the following comment was noted: 'Adapt PDR expectations for all staff, at all levels, engaged in the teaching process.'
• Timetabling: As noted above there were significant concerns around timetabling where the pandemic had resulted in substantially revised teaching schedules.
• Student Support/Mental Health: while there was acknowledgement of the support and information now being provided by the University, concerns were raised around the time taken for registration with the Disability Service and for mental health support to be obtained. Professor Morrison noted that a review of the Disability Service had just been published and it was anticipated that the recommendations would lead to some significant improvements in the Service's processes.
• Communication of policy: Concerns had been expressed by students regarding communication about the No Detriment policy (particularly for the MRes programmes).
• Masters programmes without independent work: demand had been expressed for the development of entirely taught Masters degree programmes. ASC agreed that the College should be asked to provide more information on this.

ASC agreed that the above themes were an accurate reflection of the issues raised by the College and that the Senate Office should seek updates and responses from the relevant sources to these University-wide matters.

Action: Senate Office

ASC/2020/44.1.1 Politics

ASC received updated responses to five recommendations. The committee was satisfied with the responses and agreed that no further updates were required. 

ASC/2020/44.1.2 School of Engineering

ASC received updated responses to three recommendations. The committee commended the very comprehensive responses and agreed that no further updates were required. It was noted that important work was being undertaken in relation to the use of GTAs in marking honours assessment, and this should be highlighted to Professor Wendy Anderson who was developing the GTA Code of Practice.

Action: Clerk

ASC approved:

• The remit and membership of the Joint Board for 2020-21
• The appointment of ETS staff members as Associate University Lecturers.
It was noted that the gender balance of the Board membership continued to be an issue but this was an on-going challenge that the Seminary were aware of and were working to address.
The remainder of the report was noted.

ASC agreed to give in-principle approval for the proposed introduction of the

BDes/MDes Design for Health & Wellbeing programme at the GSA commencing in September 2022. It was noted that when the final degree title was confirmed, Education Policy and Strategy Committee would be asked for formal approval as this would be the first time that an integrated masters 'MDes' award title had been introduced.

ASC agreed to give in-principle approval for the proposed introduction of the PGT programme MDes Design Innovation & Circular Economy commencing in September 2022. It was noted that clarification on the listed exit awards was required, as there was an indication that a PG Diploma exit would be available with specialisation, and that an MDes Design Innovation would be available, but no detail was given on what the requirements for these awards would be.  

ASC agreed to give in-principle approval for the proposed introduction of the PGT programme MDes Design Innovation & Future Heritage commencing in September 2022. The same queries as above arose in relation to the proposed exit awards. 

ASC agreed to give in-principle approval for the proposed major amendment to the BDes/MEDes Product Design to take effect in September 2022. Clarification was required on the proposed exit award from Year 4 MEDes which was described as 'BDes Hons (unclassified)'. ASC noted that if the requirements for an honours degree were satisfied then the degree should be classified. 

ASC agreed to give in-principle approval for the proposed major amendment to the PGT MDes Design Innovation suite of programmes to take effect in September 2022. The same queries arose in relation to exit awards as noted at ASC/2020/46.2.

It was also agreed that there should be dialogue between the Academic Collaborations Office and GSA around the documentation that should be presented for ASC's consideration when in-principle approval was being sought. In addition to the Programme Proposal or Major Programme or Course Amendment Proposal, an overview of the structure of the programme and the various exit awards would be particularly valuable.

Action: Clerk/ACO

ASC agreed to give in-principle approval for the introduction of a BSc (Honours) Animal Welfare Science programme by SRUC, commencing in September 2022. It was noted that there appeared to be significant resource issues to be addressed, e.g. in relation to the availability of labs and teaching space which required consultation, and of Library resources which was currently under consultation with Edinburgh University. The business case had identified issues around student numbers required to make the programme viable. 

ASC agreed to give in-principle approval for the introduction of a BSc (Honours) Equine Science & Management programme by SRUC, commencing in September 2022. As above, there were resource issues to be addressed, with additional staff requirements having been identified and the likely need for additional stabling and horses.