Academic Policy & Governance

Appendix 3

Pattern of Meetings and Nature of Discussions

The normal pattern of meetings and the nature of the discussions in those meetings on the visit to the Subject(s) under review are detailed below.

Individuals/Group	Types of Issues to be discussed
Panel Meeting	Introductions. Summary timetable for the day and confirm main issues for discussion.
Heads of Subject(s)/School	General discussion of the Reflective Analysis [who drafted this document and how staff and students contributed to its development?] Use of the Subject Benchmark Statement; application of the Credit and Qualifications Framework for Scotland, including use of qualification and level descriptors. How does the School/Subject convey what is expected of students? How are academic standards verified and maintained? Perceived strengths and weaknesses? Enhancement plans. How is feedback elicited from students on the quality of the learning experience, and what are the mechanisms and processes in place to feed back to students actions take. Specific issues arising from the RA and background documentation identified by the Panel.
Meetings with Students	Introductions. Student perceptions of the effectiveness and quality of teaching. Student perceptions of the learning experience. How do they find staff in the Subject/School - friendly, approachable, supportive? How do they engage with the subject and other University activities? Awareness of the aims and intended learning outcomes of programmes and match with the students' expectations. Quality and usefulness of course documents. Adequacy of information on assessment (criteria, methods, weightings, coursework deadlines, feedback opportunities, etc). Student feedback opportunities and mechanisms. Views on admission and induction procedures. Have any students changed their original degree route to the subject under review in the light of their experience in the Subject? Awareness or use of student support services. Availability of learning resources - Library, IT, MOODLE, etc. Issues which the students wish to discuss with the Panel. Specific issues arising from the RA and background documentation identified by the Panel.
Academic staff and others who support students	General discussion of RA and background documentation and any issues arising. Enhancement Plans. Issues arising out of and feedback from the meetings with students and from student surveys.
Hourly-paid staff (GTAs, tutors, etc)	General discussion of the training provided centrally and by the School. Mechanisms in place in the School to support and monitor the work of hourly paid staff. Issues arising out of and feedback from the meetings with students.
Early career staff	General discussion of the training provided centrally and by the School. Mentoring arrangements. Issues arising out of and feedback from the meetings with students.
Panel Meeting	Summary of the day's events. The Panel is to: evaluate the quality of the provision under review and of quality enhancement strategies; evaluate the School/Subject’s procedures for assuring the standards of awards and the quality of provision; identify good practices for dissemination across the University, as appropriate; identify recommendations for action to address any identified weaknesses and to further strengthen provision.
Heads of Subject(s)/School and Dean (Learning & Teaching)/Vice Principal & Head of College	Opportunity to follow-up on any outstanding issues. General feedback from Panel. The Dean’s perception of strengths/weaknesses of the School/Subject provision. The College strategy in regard to the subject provision. College management of quality, including resource allocation. Any issues which the Dean or the Heads of Subject/School wish to discuss with the Panel. Timetable for completion of Report.
Dean (Learning & Teaching)/Vice Principal & Head of College	A further private meeting with the Dean (Learning & Teaching) and/or Vice Principal & Head of College may be held if requested.