Agenda and Papers - University of Edinburgh

The University of Edinburgh
Senate Quality Assurance Committee – 25 May 2011
QAC 10/11 6 O Appendix
Amendment to Quality Assurance Committee Terms of Reference – Establishment of
Sub-committee
This paper sets out the establishment of a Quality Assurance Committee (QAC) Subcommittee
for the review of the Student Support Services in the new quality assurance
reporting and reviewing system, known as the Student Support Services (Services) Quality
Assurance Framework (SSSQAF).
Background
The existing Service review system was the subject of a QAC Task Group in 2009/10 which
made a number of recommendations to improve the system. These included the
recommendation that the interests of the Services would be best served by the reports being
reviewed by a dedicated Sub-committee.
The proposal is that the Sub-committee will meet twice a year, at which time, the Heads of
Services of 10 Services, and/or their representatives, would submit Annual Quality
Assurance Reports and the Periodic Enhanced and Thematic Review Panels would submit
their findings on any periodic or enhanced reviews that had been carried out. The dedicated
meetings will facilitate the sharing of common experiences, issues and good practice and
give a greater amount of time to properly address the issues raised by the Services. The
Sub-committee will give feedback on the quality assurances processes of the Services and
make commendations and recommendations to the Services for quality enhancement.
Purpose and role
The QAC Sub-committee, with delegated authority from QAC, is responsible for the
monitoring of the Services’ service provision from the perspective of quality assurance.
It reports an overview of its findings to the QAC including commendation and
recommendations.
Remit
• To monitor and review the quality of the Student Support Services by consideration of
Annual Quality Assurance and Accreditation Reports and Periodic Enhanced and
Thematic Review findings.
• To make commendations regarding areas of good practice and to disseminate this
good practice arising from reports and reviews.
• To make recommendations aimed at enhancing the student experience as appropriate.
• To ensure that the procedures and process of the SSSQAF remain fit for purpose.
Governance
• The Sub-committee will act with authority, as delegated by QAC, in order to monitor
and review the quality assurance of Student Support Services in relation to the student
learning experience.
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