ASTON UNIVERSITY

Minutes of the 259th COUNCIL meeting, Tuesday, 28th October 2008.

PRESENT: Mr Geoffrey John (in the Chair) Professor Julia King Dr Khurshid Ahmed Professor Robert BerryMr Guppy Dhariwal Mr Michael Farrell Dr John Fletcher Professor Martin GriffinProfessor Graham Hooley Dr Elspeth InschMr Richard Middleton Professor Pam MooresDr John Parnaby The Rt Hon The Lord RookerMr Mike Russell Mr Gurj SummanSir John Sunderland Mr Nick TamblynMr Andrew Williams Mr Paul WilliamsDr Caroline Witton

APOLOGIES: Dr Christine Braddock Dr Derek Harris Mr Paul Spooner (see Minute 08/113) Dr Perween Warsi Professor Mike West

IN ATTENDANCE: Mr Stewart Comfort Mr Gareth Evans

BY INVITATION: Mrs Liz Furey (for items 08/131-140)

WELCOME

08/107 The Chairman welcomed the following governors, each of whom was attending a meeting of the Council for the first time:

Class 1 [ex officio members]

Professor Robert Berry (appointed as Executive Dean of the School of Engineering and Applied Science, vice Professor Ashok Kochhar, on 1st September 2008)

Class 2 [lay members]

Dr Khurshid AhmedSir John SunderlandMr Nick Tamblyn

Class 3 [academic staff]

Dr Caroline Witton (elected by members of the Senate to serve on the Council for the period to 31st July 2010, vice Dr Peter Seville)

Class 4 [student representatives]

Mr Gurj Summan (President of the Guild, 2008/09)Mr Andrew Williams (Guild Vice-President (Education and Welfare), 2008/09)

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DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

08/108 The Council received Paper CO/08/30, together with an attached list of those interests which had been declared by governors and by lay members of Council committees at meetings held during the 2007/08 session.

08/109 It was reported that governors, lay members of Council committees and senior officers of the University had been requested to complete the annual Declaration of Interests form for the institutional Standing Register for 2008/09.

08/110 In connection with the meeting now to be held, there were no new declarations of interest from governors, or from those in attendance, with respect to any agenda items.

08/111 RESOLVED:

To approve the ‘signing off’, by the Chairman, of the list of interests declared by governors and lay members of Council committees at meetings held during session 2007/08.

CONSTITUTIONAL MATTERS

08/112 The Council received Paper CO/08/31, with reference to membership of the Council and of Council committees.

08/113 It was reported that Mr Paul Spooner, at present Regional Director of English Partnerships (the National Regeneration Agency), had confirmed to the University that he would no longer serve on the Council within Class 2 [lay members], following recent confirmation of his appointment to a senior position in the Government’s new Homes and Communities Agency.

08/114 It was further noted that the Chairman, acting on behalf of the Council under authority delegated to him at the meeting held on 12th December 2007 (Minute 07/205(v) refers), had, following consultation with other University Officers and the relevant committee Chairs, approved the following appointments or re-appointments to membership of the Council committees indicated:

Audit Committee

Mr Roger Hurley - re-appointed for three years, to 31st December 2011.

Finance and Major Projects Committee

Mr Michael Farrell - re-appointed for three years, to 31st July 2011;

Mr Glyn Pitchford - appointed for three years, to 31st July 2011 (vice Mr P M Wall);

Dr A D Owen - re-appointed for one year, to 31st July 2009.

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Nominations Committee

Sir John Sunderland - appointed for three years, to 31st July 2011 (vice Dr Tony Sweeten);

Mr P M Wall - re-appointed for three years, to 31st July 2011.

Remuneration Committee

Mr Paul Williams - appointed for three years, to 31st July 2011 (vice Dr Christine M Kenrick).

CHAIRMAN’S ACTION

08/115 It was reported that the Chairman, acting on behalf of the Council, and under authority delegated to him at the meeting held on 25th June 2008 (Minute 08/100 (ii) refers), had approved proposals from the University Executive for tuition fee levels:

to apply in session 2008/09 for ELQ (Equivalent or Lower Qualifications) undergraduate students; and

to apply in session 2009/10 with respect to international students and programmes carrying premium/non-standard fees.

Paper REG/08/337, detailing the fee levels thus approved, had been circulated for the information of the Council.

08/116 It was further noted that the Minutes of the most recent meeting of the Finance and Major Projects Committee (held on 14th October 2008), which had been circulated with the Agenda, included reference to action taken by the Chairman in giving authority to proceed with a capital investment, amounting to £710k, in a new ‘one-stop’ Student Services Centre (SSC). The SSC, which had been formally opened under the name of ‘Aston Student Advice Point’ (‘ASAP’) immediately prior to the Council’s meeting, brought together in a new location, on the ground floor of the Main Building, a wide range of student administrative and support services that had previously been dispersed in the Finance Department, the Accommodation Office, the Registry, Information Systems Aston and Student Support.

MINUTES

08/117 The Minutes of the 258th meeting of the Council, held on 25th June 2008, were approved, and were signed by the Chairman as an accurate record.

MATTERS ARISING

M08/98 Acceptance of indemnities in government contracts

08/118 It was reported that the Finance Department was in the process of consulting the University Insurers on the possibilities for insuring against the acceptance of indemnity clauses in contracts for substantive research projects with government departments.

ACTION: Director of Finance and Business Services

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VICE-CHANCELLOR’S REPORT

08/119 The Council received Paper CO/08/33, together with an oral report from the Vice-Chancellor.

08/120 The following points, additional to those covered in the pre-circulated Paper, were noted:

(i) The most recent student recruitment data for the new academic year indicated that, while the University had achieved a significant improvement in undergraduate entrants’ ‘A’-level scores, and most areas were showing strong growth in overseas student numbers, it was likely that the overall ‘home’/EU admissions targets at Aston would not be met for 2008/09. The Vice-Chancellor added that this position would now need to be analysed within the University, and decisions taken on how best to address any shortfall in the light of such analysis. A further update, including finalised student numbers and details of their impact on the University Budget, would be provided to the Council at its next meeting (on 10th December 2008).

(ii) Governors would be most welcome to attend any of the current session’s series of Inaugural Lectures. Following the successful reinstatement of these Lectures in the previous academic year, which had featured a stimulating and well-attended set of presentations, another wide-ranging programme, with contributions from all of the four Schools at Aston, was in place for 2008/09.

(iii) A Search Committee of the University had appointed Dr Phil Extance, at present Director of Innovation at Advantage West Midlands, to take up the position of Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Business Partnerships and Knowledge Transfer), in succession to Mr John Bailey, who would retire from the University on 31st December 2008.

(iv) The University was working closely with the Aston Science Park, in consultation with ASP’s newly-appointed Chief Executive, Mr John Cronin, who, with effect from 8th October 2008, had succeeded Dr Derek Harris, now retired after leading the development of the Park for the twenty-five years since its launch in 1983 by the University, Birmingham City Council and Lloyds TSB Bank.

(v) The Vice-Chancellor, together with some other university leaders, had attended a meeting in the previous week with the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills in order to discuss ways in which the higher education and business sectors might work still more effectively together, particularly in the context of the ongoing economic downturn. Possibilities here could include the mentoring of small businesses by university business schools and the extension, on a national basis, of a scheme such as Aston’s successful INDEX (Innovation Delivers Expansion) innovation voucher programme.

(vi) A major focus of the University’s work during the current session would be to improve the quality - and hence the success rate - of research grant applications, with a view to seeking to meet the objective in the University Strategy (‘Aston 2012’) of increasing the income from Aston’s research threefold within five years. A new

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structure for the University’s Research Support Office had been designed to assist with this work, which would need to be further supplemented by School-based initiatives such as internal peer review prior to submission, grant-writing ‘retreats’, and other measures.

(vii) The University’s ‘Annual Aston Fund’ initiative for 2009 had been launched on 27th October 2008. This fundraising campaign engaged student callers to establish or re-establish links with alumni and to enquire as to whether Aston graduates might wish financially to contribute towards the University’s future. Governors were issued at the meeting with some literature relating to the Fund, and the Council was advised that a report on the campaign’s eventual outcome would be provided when it next met.

(viii) Work on installing a temporary replacement for the all-weather sports pitch on campus had been successfully completed in September 2008, and the new facility was now enjoying regular and popular use.

REPORT FROM THE EXECUTIVE OF THE GUILD OF STUDENTS 08/121 The Council received Paper CO/08/34, together with an oral report from the

Guild’s President.

08/122 In response to a question from Dr Insch, the President of the Guild stated that the Guild’s Widening Participation Officer was giving active consideration to ways in which students who lived at home might most helpfully benefit from facilities and activities offered by the Guild.

OVERVIEW OF UNIVERSITY STRATEGY PROGRESS AND PLANS

08/123 A presentation was given by the Vice-Chancellor by way of an overview for the Council on progress made to date, and plans for the coming year, in relation to the ‘Aston 2012’ Strategy. Governors had also received with the Agenda for the meeting some more detailed summaries, which had been presented at the University’s Senior Management ‘Advance’ (on 22nd and 23rd September 2008), in connection with the Strategy’s six institutional objectives: of delivering excellence in Learning and Teaching; in Research; and in Community Engagement; underpinned by strengthening the Culture and Values at Aston; achieving Sustainable Growth; and developing the University’s physical and communications Infrastructure.

08/124 Reference was made in the course of discussion to promotional material which had been produced by the University with a view to publicising externally the research strengths and foci at Aston. A pack of this material would be sent to each governor following the meeting. (Note - At present, the materials are not quite complete, as the research overviews for Languages and Social Sciences are awaited. These will be circulated under separate cover as soon as they become available.)

ACTION: Senior Pro-Vice-Chancellor/Deputy Secretary

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REPORT ON PROGRESS AGAINST COUNCIL KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

08/125 The Council received and discussed Paper CO/08/36, comprising an inaugural formal progress report with respect to the ‘high-level’ Key Performance Indicator targets, against which the Council, at its meeting on 25th June 2008, had agreed that implementation of ‘Aston 2012’ should be measured and reviewed by the institutional governing body.

08/126 Governors were provided at the meeting with an oral report from the Senior Pro-Vice-Chancellor, updating information, which had not been available at the time of circulating the Council Agenda, concerning a small number of the KPIs. A subsequently-finalised version of Paper CO/08/36 is now appended to these Minutes.

08/127 It was noted that, in accordance with arrangements previously agreed by the Council for the formal reporting of progress against the ‘high-level’ KPI targets, a second half-yearly report would be prepared for the meeting to be held on 18th March 2009.

ACTION: Senior Pro-Vice-Chancellor

PREPARATION OF AN ESTATES STRATEGY

08/128 It was reported that work was in progress to prepare an Estates Strategy for the University, consistent with the ambitious vision, encapsulated in ‘Aston 2012’, for a world-class physical infrastructure which would provide outstanding facilities for learning, for research and for other areas of activity.

08/129 The Council further noted that discussions concerning this vision, as well as the key ideas which might underpin its achievement, had taken place at the recent Senior Management ‘Advance’, and that, with a view further to informing the Estate Strategy’s formulation, the four Schools at Aston were currently considering, and reporting on, the accommodation needs which best reflected their aspirations. Work on drafting the Strategy would be completed by the end of the current calendar year, for onward transmission to the Council at its meeting scheduled for 4th February 2009.

ACTION: Chief Operating Officer

REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES OF THE COUNCIL

FINANCE AND MAJOR PROJECTS COMMITTEE

08/130 The Minutes of the meeting of the Finance and Major Projects Committee held on 14th October 2008 were accepted.

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Accounts of Conference Aston Limited

08/131 RESOLVED:

That, on the recommendation of the Finance and Major Projects Committee, the audited accounts of Conference Aston Limited for the year ended 31st July 2008, as detailed in Paper CO/08/37, be approved.

ACTION: Director of Finance and Business Services

Accounts of Aston Academy of Life Sciences Limited

08/132 RESOLVED:

That, on the recommendation of the Finance and Major Projects Committee, the audited accounts of Aston Academy of Life Sciences Limited for the year ended 31st July 2008, as detailed in Paper CO/07/38, be approved.

ACTION: Director of Finance and Business Services

Accounts of the Guild of Students

08/133 RESOLVED:

That, on the recommendation of the Finance and Major Projects Committee, the audited accounts of the Guild of Students for the year ended 31st July 2008, as detailed in Paper CO/08/39, be approved.

ACTION: Director of Finance and Business Services

The University’s Accounts for the Year ended 31 st July 2008

08/134 The Council had received, with the Agenda for the meeting:

the University’s audited accounts for the year ended 31st July 2008 (Paper CO/08/40);

the Highlights Memorandum and Management Letter from the External Auditors to the University (KPMG LLP);

a draft letter of representation to KPMG (Paper CO/08/41); and

the Finance Director’s Report - Period 12 (July 2008) (Paper CO/08/42).

08/135 It was noted that the University’s accounts showed an operational surplus of £3.7M and, following the disposal of fixed assets to Aston Student Villages under the first phase of the Student Residences redevelopment, a historical cost surplus for the year of £16.7M. As in previous years, the financial statements comprised the results for the whole University, other than those for the Guild of Students which had been audited and reported separately.

08/136 RESOLVED:

(i) That the University’s accounts, together with the External Audit Management Letter, for the year ended 31st July 2008 be approved.

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(ii) That the letter of representation to KPMG be approved, and that it be duly signed by the Vice-Chancellor on behalf of the University.

ACTION: Director of Finance and Business Services

The University’s Five-year Financial Forecast

08/137 The Council had received Paper CO/08/43 with the Agenda for the meeting, accompanied by the five-year Financial Forecast, which covered the period up to 2012/13 and comprised a commentary and related schedules.

08/138 It was noted that the Financial Forecast, compared with that of a year previously, incorporated a number of previously-unforeseen costs, as follows:

October 2008 increases in salary costs, which, in accordance with the National Pay Agreement for the higher education sector, were based on the higher of 2.5% or the annual increase in the Retail Prices Index (RPI) - the base-point for settlement of the pay award having been the September 2008 RPI figure, now confirmed at 5%;

further uplift in budgeted increases for utility costs;

additional charges arising from past and present service costs in respect of the Aston University Pension Scheme (AUPS) for the financial year 2008/09, which would amount to £1.7M; and

for the financial year 2009/10, a 2% increase in Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS) pension contributions, which was anticipated in the light of the Scheme’s March 2008 valuation.

These costs had been included in a ‘break-even’ operational Forecast for 2008/09. The University was, however, anxious to avoid damaging progress towards the achievement of its strategic objectives, and, with this in mind, it was proposed that, in addition to the current financial year’s operational expenditure, there be a sum of £1M from premium surplus funds, which were available to the University as a consequence of the agreed Student Residences redevelopment, for strategic investment.

08/139 The Council further noted that the Financial Forecast, once approved, would need to be sent to the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) as part of the University’s annual institutional planning submission.

08/140 RESOLVED:

That the Financial Forecast be approved, and that it be submitted to HEFCE by the Funding Council’s deadline of 30th November 2008.

ACTION: Director of Finance and Business Services

Major Projects

08/141 The Council received, for information, Paper CO/08/44, detailing current issues in relation to the agreed redevelopment of the University’s residential

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estate, and Paper CO/08/45, which provided governors with an update on a number of potential capital projects at present under consideration.

08/142 With reference to Paper CO/08/45, it was noted that any major projects which might subsequently be developed by the University into firm proposals would require submission to the Finance and Major Projects Committee and, subsequently, the Council for consideration and approval.

AUDIT COMMITTEE

08/143 The Minutes of the meetings of the Audit Committee held on 24th September and 21st October 2008 were accepted.

Annual Report of the Audit Committee

08/144 It was noted that the Audit Committee Annual Report for 2007/08, which, together with its constituent Annexes, had been circulated to governors in advance of the Council’s meeting, confirmed the Committee’s opinion that there were no matters of major concern or weakness arising from either internal or external audit during the year in need of report to the Council.

08/145 RESOLVED:

That the Committee’s Annual Report to the Council be approved, and that it be forwarded, as required, to HEFCE.

ACTION: Secretary to the Committee

USE OF THE UNIVERSITY SEAL

08/146 RESOLVED:

To approve the use of the University Seal in sealing documents 2759 to 2766 inclusive, as detailed in Paper CO/08/46.

DIRECTORSHIP OF HUMAN RESOURCES

08/147 The Council was informed that the University had, earlier in the week, agreed to a request from its HR Director, Mr Keith Thomas, enabling him to retire at the end of September 2009. It was further noted that the University would be commencing a search for his successor immediately, and that, once a new Director had been appointed, Mr Thomas would continue, until his date of retirement, to lead on work already started with respect to an Aston staff volunteering scheme and associated, community-related activities.

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KPIS FOR COUNCIL

FACTOR MEASURES TARGET 2012 PREVIOUS FULL PERIOD

LAST FULL PERIOD

TARGET THIS PERIOD

PERFORMANCE TO DATE

ON TRACK?

OBJECTIVE 1: LEARNING & TEACHING

Non-continuation ratesi (percent full time first degree entrants not proceeding to next year)

Better than benchmarkii

Benchmk 7.0%Actual 6.9%

(2004-5)iii

Benchmk 6.6%Actual 4.8%

(2005-6)iv

< 4.8% (2006-7)v

Results due June 2009

Percent 1st/2i degrees awarded (replace with Value Added scorevi)

Within UK top 10 >74%

61.3% (2005-06)

65.2% (2006-07)

>68%(2007-08)

63% (Internal estimate

2007-08vii)

Employability – % in graduate level employment or further study within 6 monthsviii

Within UK top 5 >82%

76% (Rank 12th)

(Times 2008ix)

76% (Rank 14th)

(Times 2009)

>80% (Times 2010)

83% in graduate level jobs

(Sunday Times Sept 2008). 8th in

UK. Formal Times Results

(using same data but different

measure) due June 2009

National Student Survey average satisfaction

Within UK top 10Minimum score

Rank 23rd, mean 3.9

Rank 26th

Score 76%Times top 20, Score > 78%

80.6% (Sunday Times Sept 08) –

i Refer to ‘year of entry’ – the latest set is the current period, (2006_07 PIs) which look at 2005-06 entrants, previous period is the 2005-06 PIs, looking at 2004-05 entrants

ii Benchmarks change year on year, some years we are going to be looking at targets which are lower (higher for non-continuation rates) than the previous year when ideally we would be looking to improve on figures year on year as well as meeting/exceeding benchmarks

iii Based on 2004-05 intake

iv Based on 2005-06 intake

v (Actual not available till June 2009)

vi Aston will develop their own ‘Value Added’ methodology – to be developed

vii Draft version of 2007-08 HESA return, therefore may be subject to change

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ranking across all 22 questions

79% (Times 2008x) (Times 2009xi) 11th in UK. Times Results available June 2009 (using

same data but average over 2

years). Expected to be top 20.

OBJECTIVE 2: RESEARCH

RAE 2008 outcome (% submitted as research active and percent output graded ‘internationally excellent’ or ‘world leading’ - 3*/4*)

Submission>80% Not available Not available Submission >80%

Submission 86%

percent 3*or above >60%

RAE2008xii

Not available Not available Percent 3* or above > 60%

Results due in December 2008

Research Grants Won during Yearxiii

>£20m £9.6m*xiv

(2006-07)£8.3m

(2007-08)Target for

2008-09 £12.5m

£1m (2 out of 12 months)

Research Grant Applicationsxv

>£80mxvi £40,248K (2006-2007)

£86,212K (2007-2008)

Target for 2008-09 £50m

£7,814K (2 out of 12 months)

OBJECTIVE 3: COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Total 3rd Stream Income from patents, spin outs, CPD, Consultancy xvii

£4,955k Full Year Actual £3,413k

(2006-07)

Full year actual £2,999k

(2007-08)

Full Year - June Budget

£3,040k (2008-09)

Full Year - Revised Budget

£3,390k (2008-09)

Percent of eligible 3rd year students on placement

>80% 61.5% (2006-07)

65.8%(2007-08)

>70% (2008-09)

Results due November 2008

Stakeholder awareness and satisfaction surveyxviii

To be determined (see notes)

Visibility and influence on local and national policy bodiesxix

To be determined (see notes)

Widening ParticipationPercent UGs from lower Socio-Economic Groupsxx

Exceed Benchmark

Benchmk29.1%

actual 35.2%(2005-06)

Benchmk 29.8%

actual 36.2% (2006-07)

Benchmk 30.1%

>36.2% (2007-08

Above benchmark

OBJECTIVE 4: CULTURE AND VALUES

Student Satisfaction with university services

Average >4.0All units >4.0

Ave 3.87 5/19 units >4.0

(2006)

Ave 3.82 4/19 Units >4.0

(2007)

Ave> 3.908 of 19 Units

>4.0(2008)

Results due end of 2008

Staff Satisfaction with university services

Average of >4.0All Units >4.0

Ave 3.71 9/29 Units >4.0

(2007)

Ave 3.8611/36 Units >4.0 (2008)

Ave > 4.0 18/36 Units >

4.0 (2009)

Next results June 2009

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Staff job satisfaction (from CAPITA surveys)xxi

To be determined Not Available (new survey)

Not Available (new survey)

Results due February 2009

OBJECTIVE 5: FINANCIAL

Performance against Budget

Total University Turnover xxii

>£118m

Full year actual £86,124k

(2006-07)

Full year actual

£93,060k(2007-08)

Full year(June budget)

£95,268k(2008-09)

Full year forecast

£95,976k(2008-09)

Surplus >£3.5m Full year actual £1,293k

(2006-07)

Full year actual

£4,408k(2007-08) xxiii

Full year (June Budget)

£1,021k(2008-09)

Full year (Revised budget)

£25k(2008-09)

Gearing - Debt as a percentage of total Funds less endowments

41% 44%(Actual

2006-7)

58%xxiv

(Actual 2007-08)

49%(June Budget

2007-08)

57%(Revised Budget

2008-09)

OBJECTIVE 6: INFRASTRUCTURE

Condition of the Estate(percent of facilities in categories A&B)xxv

75% (2005-06 median)

50% (2006-07)

NB: last official figures

55% best estimate

(2007-08)

60% – target to aim (2008-09)

Estates expect to reach 60% with a

further 5% each year (2008-09)

Safe & Healthy Environment – Injury Rate per 1000 staff at risk (National HE rate in bracketsxxvi)

22.07(Lower quartile

2007)xxvii

27.9 (34.9)(2006)

29.4 (33.3)(2007)

27.96 Interim target (2008)

Data available in March 2009

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viii Times league tables

ix Based on 2006 DLHE returns

xi Times 2009 league tables (published in 2008). Please note change in methodology from 1 to 5 scale to % satisfaction score.

xii Review following outcome of RAE2008 (results due in December 2008)

xiii “Research contracts awarded and signed”

xiv £9.6M with large one-off awards removed: EPSRC SUPERGEN (Bridgwater, £1.2M), EPSRC platform (Bennion, £800k), NHS staff survey (West, £1M)

xx We aim to exceed our institutional benchmark (rather than the UK average) - this takes account of the subject mix and entry qualifications

xv There is an approximate 6 month lag between application and outcome/signing the contract

xvi Applications based on 25% grants won

xvii Services rendered in the schools which includes CPD courses, some consultancy (but not all, as some goes to personal earnings accounts and is not identified as turnover), some short courses and language testing. Temodal income in 2006/07, 2007/08 and 2008/09 but none assumed in the plan thereafter, this is for a drug patent which is running out

xviii Stakeholder satisfaction will be measured by BPU satisfaction survey of Links to Business contacts. Stakeholder awareness will initially be measured by a pilot survey of public and private sector bodies

xix BPU to identify Aston representation on external bodies in the region – BPU will identify influential bodies/key stakeholders, professional bodies and other bodies

x Times 2008 league tables (published in 2007)

xxi Note: This survey will be run for the first time in November 2008 (to date it has only covered ABS). Ref: ABS figures: At least nine in ten respondents agree that ‘Generally work is enjoyed’ (96%), ‘Motivation and satisfaction at work is generally high’ (90%, cf. 80% across other universities), ‘Aston Business School is a good place to work (93%, cf. 86% across other universities)

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xxii Financial figures for actuals 06/07 and 07/08 have been sourced from Aston Management Accounts (Periods 1-12, 2008), Summary of Income & Expenditure, pg 6, June budget and revised budget from paper to Finance Committee paper FIN0841.

xxiii Excludes exceptional item e.g. residences disposal

xxiv Gearing has increased from July 2007 to July 2008 due mainly to the Barclays loan and BCU purchase (30%) and increased AUPS pension liability (9%), offset by repaying Yorkshire loans on Lakeside (17%) and the sale of the Residences (7%)

xxv Based on last full period 2006-07

xxvi The National Higher Education Accident Statistics are prepared from returns from over 110 UK Universities & Colleges by the University of Kent on behalf of Universities’ Safety & Health Association

xxvii Please note figures based on ‘Reportable Accidents’ only – number of staff:accidents may vary according to Institution. Only a small dispersion exists between Lower Quartile and Aston (Aston 29.43 – Lower Quartile 22.07 = 7.36). Inter-quartile range: Upper Quartile 43.22 – Lower Quartile 22.07 = 21.15)

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