Minutes of the Staff-Student Joint Committee Meeting held on
Monday 27th October 2003 in the Board Room

Present:	Ms H. Dong Mrs C.B. Drummond Mr S. Elia Mr C.J. Knowles Mr P.W. Konopka	Dr J. Lasenby Dr R.J. Miller Dr C.T. Morley Dr P.A. Robertson
Absent:	Mrs S. Collins-Taylor	Mr J.E. Lindop

03.22  Apologies for absence

Apologies for absence were received from Mr T.R.P. Bishop and Mr P.W.T. Mash.

03.23  Minutes of the meeting held on 13th May 2003

The minutes of the meeting held on 13th May 2003 were approved.

03.24  Matters arising form the Minutes

03.21(iv) 3F6 Software Engineering and Design

Dr Robertson reported that the matter of the examination format for the above module had, as requested, been raised at the last EISGC meeting.  The EISGC felt that the current format of a 1.5 hour written examination was appropriate, since this module is not intended to be a programming course.

03.25  Tables of manually calculated figures in laboratory experiments

Mr Bishop (by e-mail) raised the point that a number of his peers who took the 1B course last year had commented that, during some labs, it was necessary to do a large number of repetitive manual calculations during the experiment, which detracted from the learning experience. This was particularly relevant to the 1B long experiment on energy conservation (mechanics).  He suggests that an Excel spreadsheet might be provided, set up for the particular experiment, to improve matters, although it was felt at the meeting that this may not be feasible where PCs are not available in sufficient numbers close to the experiment concerned.  Dr Miller reported that there is a 4th year turbomachinery experiment in which students do some calculations once through and are then issued with a floppy disc containing a spreadsheet to assist with  further repetitive calculations required  offline.  It was agreed that the point raised would be brought to the attention of the laboratory leader concerned (Prof. Stronge). 

03.26  Graduate social events

Ms Dong had received an enquiry over the summer about the possibility of social events being organised on a departmental basis.  After some discussion relating to who might organise such events and what form they might take, it was decided that Ms Dong would, in consultation with Dr Morley regarding booking the Board Room, arrange an afternoon tea meeting for graduate students to see whether there would be significant support for organising and attending graduate social events.

03.27  Date of next meeting

The next meeting of the SSJC will take place on Monday 1^st December 2003, 2.15 pm, Board Room.  This will be the handover meeting for the new SSJC representatives.

03.28  Any other business

(i) Microwave oven for undergraduate use

A request has been received, via the Fast Feedback Facility, that a microwave oven be provided for undergraduate use.  Given the potential problems with hygiene, health and safety and the unclear level of demand for such an appliance, the Committee did not have sympathy with this request.

(ii)  First Aid courses for undergraduates

Mr Konopka asked whether it would be possible to arrange basic First Aid courses for interested undergraduates.  Dr Lasenby said that such courses were run at Fenners, primarily for University sports clubs, but that she would look into the possibility of access to these courses for a limited number of engineering students.