Court news

The capital programme and the development of the City Campus were the main items on the Court's agenda at its meeting on 25 April.

Capital Projects

Foremost amongst the capital developments discussed was a definitive proposal for the much heralded new building on the Heathfield site, which would serve the dual purpose of providing dedicated teaching space for the Faculty of Education & Social Work (following disposal of the Gardyne Road campus) and high quality, centrally booked teaching accommodation for other faculties.

The gross area of the building would be 7,000m2 and the total projected cost was £15.6m. It was emphasised that this landmark edifice would provide teaching space only, not offices. Computer-based timetabling would deliver efficiency in usage of the new facilities, ensuring optimal occupancy from the outset, while future expansion had been catered for in room capacities. The Court gave full authority for the development to proceed.

The Court had already approved, at its meeting in December 2003, the establishment of a Clinical Research Centre at Ninewells at a total estimated cost of £5.5m. It was now reported that the funding requirement for this development had risen to £8.8m. The main factor in the escalation of costs was the University’s success in attracting additional investment in imaging facilities and a significant increase in building size required to accommodate them. The imaging suite now envisaged would be unique within the UK. While it was expected that the additional funding needed could be raised from external sources, underwriting from the University was sought at this stage to avoid a delay in starting the project and a consequent loss of research impetus. Having evaluated the risks involved, the Court agreed that the development should proceed on the revised cost basis.

Framework Agreement

The Court received a report on progress in negotiations with the recognised unions regarding implementation of the Framework Agreement. It was expected that discussions on harmonisation of hours of work would be concluded in time to allow implementation in August 2005, while the parties were moving closer to agreement on a unified pay and grading structure. A total of 50 staff were being trained in use of the HERA job evaluation system and detailed planning was under way on how this exercise would be carried out. The University was on track to implement the new structure by August 2006.

Corporate Governance

The Court received a supplementary report to the recent review of Court and corporate governance, responding to further issues arising from the revised Guide for Members of Higher Education Governing Bodies in the UK. The Court duly approved proposed amendments to its Statement of Primary Responsibilities (http://www.dundee.ac.uk/academic/) and adopted a proposed Code of Practice on Conflict of Interest for all University employees (http://www.dundee.ac.uk/academic/).

Membership of Graduates' Council

Subject to ratification at its next meeting and to subsequent endorsement by the Privy Council, the Court approved proposed amendments to Statute 20 concerning the Graduates' Council. These amendments addressed the issue of admission to membership of the Graduates' Council for alumni of all the institutions with which the University had merged over the last ten years or so. Specific provision had been made in 1994 for assimilating some of the alumni of Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art, but until now there had been practical difficulties in making similar arrangements in relation to subsequent mergers. Under the revised Statute, automatic membership of the Graduates’ Council would be afforded to graduates and diplomates of the former Duncan of Jordanstone College, Tayside College of Nursing & Midwifery, Fife College of Health Studies and the Dundee campus of Northern College (including its predecessor institution, Dundee College of Education).

Guardian League Table

The Principal commented on the University's poor showing in a recent university league table published by The Guardian newspaper. On investigation it had been found that there were flaws with both the original data used in the survey and the way in which they had been interpreted by the newspaper's researchers. This had produced some bizarre results, which were explained to the Court in detail. The University had made vociferous complaint to The Guardian and in response its executive editor had offered to visit the University. Such league tables were ephemeral, but were read by large numbers of people including potential students and the Court agreed that it was important to counteract this negative publicity.

Campus Masterplan

For the final part of its meeting the Court adjourned to the Cooper Gallery, Duncan of Jordanstone College, to receive a presentation by Sir Terry Farrell as part of the consultation process associated with the City Campus 'masterplanning' exercise. Members were apprised of the progress made so far and had the opportunity to comment and ask questions. The Director of Campus Services gave a complementary presentation, providing an overview of the capital programme.