Terms of Reference

The Student Recruitment Strategy Group (SRSG) is a strategic committee reporting to the Central Management Group and liaising closely with the Senatus Learning and Teaching Committee on all strategic matters relating to student recruitment and admissions. The Group is responsible for overseeing implementation of the University’s Student Recruitment Strategy. Its scope encompasses UK, EU and international, online distance and on-campus, undergraduate and postgraduate study, recruitment marketing, admissions, outreach and widening participation.

(SRSG replaced the previous Recruitment and Admissions Strategy Group (RASG), 2010 -2016. For access to agendas and papers from this committees or its precursors, contact Jane Johnston in SRA - Jane.Johnston@ed.ac.uk) 

Remit

To provide strategic direction and guidance for student recruitment in order to progress the University’s strategic aims and objectives.

Purpose

• To ensure that student recruitment and admissions strategy and policy supports and delivers the University’s strategic aims
• To evaluate existing approaches to admissions and recruitment and to identify new opportunities and innovations
• On behalf of Central Management Group, to agree and monitor progress towards student number targets over the medium to long term
• To ensure, via its operational subgroups, that admissions policies and procedures are coherent, compliant with relevant legislation and regulations, and are implemented consistently
• To receive and consider regular market intelligence and insight from Governance and Strategic Planning; Student Recruitment & Admissions; International Office, Communications & Marketing and the Colleges, ensuring it is used to shape recruitment strategy, policy and practice
• To assess internal and external initiatives, legislation and developments relating to student recruitment and admissions
• To report regularly to the Central Management Group and Learning and Teaching Committee on all matters relating to the recruitment and admission of students.

Governance

The Group will act with authority, as delegated by the Central Management Group and the Senatus, in order to take decisions regarding the University’s admissions and recruitment strategy and policy.

In taking forward its remit, the Group will seek consistency and common approaches, whilst supporting and encourage diversity in operation where this is in the University’s best interests.

The Group shall report direct to the Central Management Group as necessary, but at least annually.

The Group shall liaise with relevant Court and Senatus Committees and with specific managers and offices in respect of issues or instances where matters of admissions and recruitment strategy and policy intersect with academic issues and other areas of University business.

The Group shall identify and agree the ways in which it will periodically interact and exchange information with relevant committees and academic and student services in matters relating to student recruitment.

Operation

The Group will meet normally meet four times a year, in September, November, February and June. The Group will also interact electronically, as is necessary for its business to be effectively progressed.

Working Groups and limited life Task Groups will take forward as relevant the detailed examination of, and consultation on, the strategic issues which make up the majority of the Group’s work. A Student Recruitment Management Group will report on in-year progress towards student number targets, recruitment and admissions policy, and other operational management issues that have strategic relevance.

Any Task Groups will be given a clear brief and will consult as appropriate during their work in order to ensure the confidence of the Group, the Central Management Group, the Senatus, and the wider University community in the resulting conclusions and recommendations.

Information on any activities will be made available electronically to ensure that members of the University Community are kept informed and can contribute to specific developments.

Agenda, papers and approved minutes will be published on the University’s web pages in accordance with the University’s agreed publication scheme and the status of the above listed in respect of freedom of information legislation. This will include details of the membership of the Group.