Terms of Reference – Faculty Directors’ Meeting (FDM)

Context

Faculty Directors are responsible for maintaining and promoting teaching, learning and research excellence in the academic disciplines within their respective remits at Northeastern University London (the University). Each Faculty contributes to Academic Board (AcB) on matters of strategy via their Faculty Director, who is responsible to the Teaching, Learning and Enhancement Committee (TLEC) for overseeing the management of the day to day academic quality and standards of the programmes within their remit, and the Research and Knowledge Exchange Committee for matters of research, knowledge exchange and innovation. Each Faculty also ensures effective engagement with students on programme-related matters and engagement with other Faculties on matters of common interest in teaching and research.

Terms of Reference

1. To proactively monitor compliance with ongoing conditions of registration.
2. To proactively engage with the strategic aims of the University.
3. To proactively lead their Faculty to meet the objectives of the University’s National Student Survey (NSS) Enhancement Plan, and the key drivers of the University’s Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) strategy.
4. To ensure that programmes within their remit are operating in accordance with the University’s academic policies and regulatory framework, modified according to AQF4 Programme and Course Approval and Modification when required.
5. To serve as a channel of consultation between faculty and students relating to the operation of their Faculty’s programmes.
6. To ensure a robust academic quality, standards and student learning experience by considering the on-going development, curriculum, design and delivery of the programmes, including research activities of the Faculty.
7. To propose enhancement of the curriculum, teaching, delivery, assessment and feedback for the programmes to TLEC.
8. Annual Programme Monitoring:
   1. To generate the Faculty Annual Academic Standards Report, in line with AQF5 Annual Monitoring and Reporting, for scrutiny by TLEC and approval by Academic Board.
   2. To update the action plan(s) as issues arise during the year. To track progress of all action points within its remit as a standing item.
   3. To ensure effective communication on action outcomes with the student body.
9. To consider all student feedback on the programmes arising from surveys and focus groups, and to ensure that appropriate actions are recorded and enacted.
10. To keep under review the student profile of their programmes, including retention and progression.
11. To respond to TLEC requests for input to consultations on academic policy and regulation.
12. To propose External Examiner nominations to TLEC for scrutiny and to Academic Board for approval.
13. To consider External Examiner Reports and to draft responses to TLEC for scrutiny and to Academic Board for approval.
14. To monitor and report on research activities to the research committee, including new collaborations, non-academic/public engagement, conference attendance, international travel and internal funding awards.
15. To ensure research integrity and compliance, in accordance with guidance from Research Services.
16. To promote research activities within and outside the University.

Membership

Dean of Northeastern University London (Optional)

Faculty Director (Chair) [or nominee]

Associate Directors (currently there are six)

Heads of Disciplines

Student Representatives: one per level

Quorum

Meetings are quorate when the Chair and 50% of the membership are present, and at least two student representatives.

Frequency

Each Faculty will meet at least once per semester.

Reports to

Academic Board

Reports from

Student Engagement Committee

Communicates with

Teaching, Learning and Enhancement Committee

Research and Knowledge Exchange Committee

Rolling Agenda Items

Action plan from the Annual Programme Monitoring Review

Student feedback

Faculty research activities