FASCC – 120508 FASCC0803/02

RAVENSBOURNE COLLEGE OF DESIGN AND COMMUNICATION

BA (HONS) FASHION COURSE COMMITTEE

Minutes from the BA (Hons) Fashion Course Committee held on Friday 8 February 2008 at
12.00 in the Boardroom

Present: Chip Harris Subject Leader (Chair)

Gurmit Matharu Associate Subject Leader
Peter Pilgrim Acting Head of Faculty Design
Marilyn Rainey Associate Senior Lecturer
John O’Boyle Director of Quality and Academic Services
James Norman Business Support Officer
Dawn Jackson Business Support Assistant
Rachel Todd Library Services Officer
Hamed Folarin ICT Officer
Nick Ford Technical Tutor
Amy Addison Level 1 Student Representative, 3 year
Tom Crisp Level 1 Student Representative, 3 year
James Coyne Level 3 Student Representative, 3 year
Jenny Roberts Level 3 Student Representative, Fast Track
Siobhan Farrar Level 3 Student Representative, Fast Track
Paul Jeffery Quality Officer (Secretary)

08.16 WELCOMES AND APOLOGIES

Apologies: Dorota Watson Associate Subject Leader

Hywel Davies Associate Senior Lecturer
Jenny Udale Associate Senior Lecturer
Val Furphy Associate Senior Lecturer
Max Gower Level 1 Student Representative, 3 year
Jess Au Level 3 Student Representative, 3 year
Ruth Green Level 2 Student Representative, 3 year
Hannah Taylor Level 2 Student Representative, 3 year

08.17 MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING

Approved: The minutes of the last meeting of the Committee held on 29

October 2007 (FASCC08/02/02) were approved by the Committee.

08.18 MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES

08.18.01 Student Feedback (min 08.08 – 29/10/07 refers)

Noted: a) Ventilation in the knit room was now improved as the key for the
shutters is now housed in Fashion, and they could be opened as

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necessary in warm weather. The Subject Leader thanked the

Technical Tutor for his assistance.

b) Cost quotations had been requested for solutions to the problem of

lighting in the knit room. Discussions with the staff concerned had
identified two alternatives for achieving a significant improvement. A
decision would be made soon and action would follow shortly
afterwards.

c) There was still a need for more flexibility for students to have access
to the premises in the early mornings and evenings. This was
especially necessary at peak times for the course. The department
could ensure safety and staff cover for extended days when
necessary.

d) The Department now has three memory cards for the digital camera
and steps would be taken soon to acquire a fourth card.

Agreed: The Subject Leader would resume discussions with Estates to seek
agreement on extended access for Fashion students.

08.19 STUDENT COURSE REPRESENTATIVES

Received: Feedback from student course representatives.

a) In response to a query from Level 1 students about timetables, it

was explained that the ones on display in the Department were the
correct ones, but individual timetables hadn’t been distributed
because the information required on Personal and Professional
Development hadn’t yet been received. While changes would be
avoided as far as possible, there was still a possibility that some
adjustments would be needed.

b) Concern was expressed about inconsistency in the marking of some

projects and in the guidance on briefs given by some tutors. The
Chair responded that although some variation in marking and
feedback was legitimate, it should be limited, and checks would be
made to ensure co-working between staff was sufficient.

c) A Level 1 student felt s/he had insufficient time on pattern-cutting. It

was explained that now students are working in their specialisms,
they would get more opportunities in the relevant areas. If there
were still concerns, students should raise them with the Senior
Lecturer.

d) Level 3 students expressed appreciation for the events focussing on

Leather, the lecture given by Hilary Alexander and the sessions
given by Lyndsey May.

e) Fast track students mentioned some resourcing/support issues

which were receiving attention. Support for students will be

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improved significantly when the Prototype Development Tutor was

recruited. Interviews would take place in two weeks.

f) Students were inconvenienced by the lack of printer/copier in the

Emerald Lab. Although the Lab was a specialist facility, it was clear
that it should have a printer. ICT was not aware there was an issue
about equipment in the Emerald Lab, but the matter would be
investigated.

g) Some concern was expressed about the LRC service. There was a
view that, compared with experience at other academic libraries,
opening hours were limited, restricting opportunities for research. It
was also said that students sometimes found it difficult to get the
help they needed from LRC and IT desk staff.

h) Some problems had been experienced with configuring computers

with the wireless network, but it was explained it would not always
be able to resolve problems with machines owned by individuals and
that this could not be a priority for ICT staff.

j) Level 3 students raised a question about arrangements for inviting

visiting speakers, feeling disadvantaged by the arrangements for a
recent event. It was pointed out that the event in question was
intended for Level 2 students and came about as a result of a
specific award project. In general, however, it was not practical to
hold events for particular year groups. In this case, the invitation had
been extended at short notice beyond the students directly involved,
and it was simply unfortunate that Level 3 students had a summative
assessment deadline the following day. It was a special event
staged as part of the project concerned and could not be
rescheduled by the Department. Students were encouraged to take
advantage of the frequent college-wide events to which all students
were invited.

Agreed: i) The Subject Leader would look into the concerns raised about
consistency of marking and consider any associated issues for staff.

ii) ICT would consider the availability of equipment needed in the

Emerald Lab.

iii) The concerns of Fashion students about service in the LRC would
be passed on, and further measures to raise awareness of the
entitlement of students to use academic libraries in other institutions
would be considered.

08.20 EXTERNAL EXAMINERS

Received: Updated External Examiner Action Plans for 2006-2007:

BA (Hons) Fashion (Menswear/Womenswear) by Julie Pinches;
BA (Hon) Fashion (Promotion) by Eddie Newton;
BA (Hons) Fashion (Textiles) by Anne Smith.

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The Chair commented that the majority of the first report concerned
the Fast Track course, which had not recruited in 07-08 pending its
review and redevelopment. Otherwise the reports showed a series of
continuing developments, along with a number of completed actions.
In relation to item 1 in the action plan for Fashion Promotion, he said
plans were being made to introduce presentations in the Summer
term as part of the final project. The growth of the Fashion Promotion
course was a priority, and as the report showed, increases in take-up
were encouraging, with a year-on year increase over three years, and
18 students currently in Level 1.

08.21 ANNUAL COURSE MONITORING LOG

Received: Updates and progress from Annual Course Monitoring Logs for
BA (Hons) Fashion

The Chair drew attention to the improved arrangements for the early
period of the course, with the introduction of tutor groups that would
operate until specialist pathways were chosen. Progress had been
made with supplies of equipment and digital machinery needs were
under consideration. It was also reported that the lengthy procurement
process would be speeded up in the Autumn with the introduction of a
procurement card system.

08.22 COURSE UPDATE

Discussed: There were no updates on awards and achievements to report at this

point in the year. The Subject Leader reported on healthy recruitment
(especially in Fashion Promotion) and said there was a good balance
between the pathways. Work was in progress improve the balance
between print and knit by promoting knit. More than 20 interviews
would be held with applicants via Route A for next year’s course.
Experience showed, however, that Route A applicants were generally
not ready for the course, and needed more time to develop their work.
There was a discussion about the need to increase admissions in the
context of falling HE entry applications and the associated implications
for the admissions process. It was evident that more institutions were
recruiting more students without foundation course experience direct
to degree courses.

Noted: Improvements to the appearance and environment of the Fashion

corridor were in progress. Some excellent work was now on display
and the Subject Leader thanked colleagues who had arranged for the
installation of the new plotters.

Another positive development was that Rave on Air would include a

College Fashion show this year and preparations were now in
progress. It will show the work of all final year students, but would be
an organisational challenge, as the show was just three days before
Graduate Fashion Week.

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08.23 POSTGRADUATE DEVELOPMENT

Received: The draft programme specifications for the current postgraduate

developments relevant to the course – MA Fashion.

08.24 ANY OTHER BUSINESS

Noted: National Student Survey commenced on the 7 of January and is due

to finish at the end of April 2008. The survey is for final year
undergraduates and they can receive a £5 print credit when
completing the survey online and taking the proof of completion to
Finance. Students are encouraged to complete this survey.

The Senior Lecturer asked whether any Level 3 students would be

willing to volunteer to spend some time with the seven Level 0
Fashion students who could benefit from some additional guidance
and support. The Level 0 students needed to understand better the
demands of succeeding on the BA Fashion course and it was hoped
that exposure to the motivation and commitment of the Level 3
students would make an impact on their own approach to their
studies.

Noted: Interviews for the post of Digital Print Tutor would be held within the
next two weeks.

08.25 DATE AND TIME OF NEXT MEETING

The next meeting of the Committee will be held on Monday 12 May 2008 at 12.00
in the Boardroom.

Quality Team 5 Unconfirmed