| Description | Minutes of meetings of a committee established on the recommendation of the report of a committee appointed jointly by Senate and the Finance Committee which set out a provisional scheme for Physical Education, approved by Council and Senate
Membership initially consisted of the Vice-Chancellor (chair); Vice-Principal; and members of academic staff. The committee was reconstituted in 1953 and membership from that date consisted of the Vice-Chancellor; Pro-Chancellor; Dean of the Faculty of Arts; Senior Tutor to Women Students; University Medical Officer; three representatives nominated by Senate; and the Director of Physical Education.
Membership of the committee by the early 1970s included students, following the implementation of the recommendations of the Review Body set up to examine university governance and student representation. The University Librarian also attended meetings, and the committee was chaired by the Deputy Principal. The committee usually met yearly or twice yearly
The first meeting of the committee was held on 9 March 1940, and the minutes record measures already taken in relation to the Physical Education scheme, including the appointment of gymnasium instructors and other staff; the establishment of separate men's and women's activities; and the establishment of relationships with the Athletic Club and Guild of Undergraduates, including some joint coaching. There are also references to the use of the recently built gymnasium by staff, and the appointment of a Gymnasium sub-committee.
Minutes of the meeting held on 6 February 1941 mention the appointment of Edith M. Potter as Assistant Lecturer in Physical Education. A. D. Munrow was already Director of Physical Education and a member of the committee. Minutes of the meeting held on 31 March 1942 record the appointment of a University Medical Office to undertake the medical inspection of first year students and to perform other duties as an integral part of the scheme of Physical Education. There was evidently already a Medical Officer for women students of the University including the Education department. The Medical Officer became a member of the Physical Education Committee in 1947
Committee minutes regularly record details about staff appointments, and recommendations for salary increases for staff. From 1972 onwards, there was a reserved business section of the minutes for staff appointments, increments, and study leave applications. Some personal information including copies of curriculum vitae is included. Some minutes also contain minutes of the Staffing sub-committee
Minutes of meetings held in the 1940s contain some discussion about the structure and content of courses in Physical Education as an addition to degree courses; as a certificate; and the introduction of Physical Education as a new degree course is mentioned in minutes of the meeting held on 12 February 1943. Minutes of the meeting held on 19 October 1943 record that the Faculty of Arts would recognise Physical Education as the principal subject for the ordinary degree of BA but that the other Faculties were not yet prepared to include the subject in their degree courses. These minutes also mention the inclusion of Physical Education as an advanced course for Two Year Education students. Minutes of the meeting held on 19 February 1946 mention the acceptance of Physical Education as a subject for the General Degree in the Faculty of Arts from October 1946
Minutes of committee meetings held in the immediate post-war period contain discussion of arrangements for students from different Faculties to take Physical Education as part of their timetable.
There is a reference to the annual report of the Director of Physical Education in minutes of the meeting held on 22 October 1942, but the report itself is not included. Copies of the Director's annual reports from 1939 are included with minutes of Council (UB/COU/1) and there are also copies of some reports in the series of Senate Reports (UB/SEN/4). A copy of the annual report of the Director of Physical Education is included with the Committee minutes from February 1947 onwards. These reports contain detailed information about physical education activities offered to men and women students; students' attitudes to the compulsory scheme of physical education; the provision of facilities within and outside the University; and to summer camps and vacation activities.
It was compulsory for first year students to undertake the Physical Education scheme. Minutes of the meeting held on 14 February 1957 include a copy of a Memorandum based on a discussion by the staff of the Physical Education Department of Senate Committee's report on Broader Education, in which the committee considered that the department had always played some part in broader education, through the compulsory first year scheme for physical education, and through continuing contact with student clubs and societies as well as offering Physical Education as part of the Faculty of Arts General Degree. Minutes of the meeting held on 7 March 1962 contain comment on the Inter-Faculty Studies Programme which would reduce the period free from academic commitments of some students, and the increasing difficulties faced by the Department of Physical Education in fulfilling its obligations to provide courses of compulsory physical education for first year students. These minutes include a paper on timetabling problems, and a copy of a memorandum written by the Director of Physical Education to Southampton and Monash Universities giving a detailed overview of the compulsory physical education scheme at Birmingham. Minutes of the meeting held on 17 May 1967 include a paper on the Implementation of the First Year Requirement in Physical Education written by A. D. Munrow. Minutes of the meeting held on 13 December 1967 include a paper on The Physical Education Requirement - A Report and Some Recommendations from the Staff of the Department comprising a review of the compulsory scheme, and student feedback
The Physical Education scheme for first year students continued into the 1970s, though it was no longer compulsory from the 1969-1970 academic session onwards. Minutes of meetings held in November each year from 1971 onwards include copies of the programme of Physical Recreation courses for first year students.
Minutes of the meeting held on 27 November 1980 discuss the publicity and advertising of 'leisure facilities' at the University, and include a copy of an illustrated booklet entitled 'Opportunities for Leisure Studies at the University of Birmingham', covering Physical Education, the Centre for Urban and Regional Studies and Leisure and Tourism, Drama and Theatre Arts, Geography, Music, the Television and Film Unit, the Centre for Contemporary Cultural Studies, the Sports Documentation Centre, the Department of Economic History, the Barber Institute of Fine Arts, the Institute of Local Government Studies, and the Athletic Union
Minutes of early meetings contain occasional references to the restrictions of black-out arrangements on the physical education activities that could be held. The committee discussed the maintenance of the gymnasium building, and there is a reference to damage from an air raid in October 1940, and the establishment of a roof watching rota. Minutes of the meeting held on 1 July 1941 state that it had not been possible to provide an extra storey for the gymnasium but that the Great Hall was to be used for additional classes in physical training. Once more students were enrolled on each year of the Physical Education course as part of the Faculty of Arts General Degree in the late 1940s there was heavier use of the gymnasium and squash courts, and the committee became more concerned about the maintenance of the building.
Minutes of the meeting held on 26 April 1955 contain information about building projects, as well as proposals for the Quinquennium 1957-1962, in the context of the planned expansion of the University, and the funding of new buildings. These minutes set out the committee's wishes for a swimming pool, small gymnasium, changing facilities, and a 'laboratory lecture room'. Minutes of the meeting held on 29 November 1955 include a copy of a Memorandum on Quinquennial Developments, including capital expenditure figures and a statement of priorities. MInutes of the meeting held on 2 March 1966 refer to quinquennial estimates for the 1967-1972 period, and minutes of the meeting held on 17 November 1966 include a copy of a supporting statement for quinquennial estimates written by the Physical Education Department. There is a further memorandum on quinquennial developments included with minutes of the meeting held on 12 November 1970
Minutes of the meeting held on 9 November 1972 include comments of the Physical Education Committee on the Report of the University Centre Committee to the Council on the development of University Centre, as well as the Committee's comments on the Report of the University Review Body
Minutes of the meeting held on 11 November 1974 include a report on the Quinquennial visitation 1975 and the effect of the 1972-1977 Quinquennial Settlement on the Physical Education Department. Minutes of meetings held on 9 November 1978 and 26 February 1979 contain papers on the University Grants Committee Visitation 1979. Minutes of the meeting held on 12 November 1981 contain references to the University's financial situation, and discuss ways to make economies and increase income in the Sports Centre
Minutes of the committee contain some information about the planning and construction of the Sports Centre. Minutes of the meeting held on 11 November 1958 contain discussion of a progress report on the development of the Physical Education Centre following the architects' proposals, and minutes of the meeting held on 17 November 1959 mention a memorandum submitted by the Director of Physical Education, A. D. Munrow, on the use of the new sports centre and administrative arrangements for its oversight, though the memorandum itself is not included. There is also a reference to the impending loss of accommodation for Physical Education once premises at Edmund Street are vacated, and the urgent need for alternative accommodation at Edgbaston until the new sports centre was available. Minutes of the meeting held on 1 March 1960 mention the use of temporary accommodation at Edgbaston including the hall of University House; indoor practice cricket nets at Warwickshire County Cricket Club; and the use of a wooden hut behind Chemical Engineering Department. They also include a copy of a Memorandum on University Expansion in relation to the Physical Education Department, covering student intake for courses; University sport; and Inter-Faculty sport. Minutes of the meeting held on 16 November 1960 include a copy of a Memorandum on Quinquennial Expansion which addresses the projected increased intake of students, the growing reputation of the course of study including amongst overseas students; and raises issues relating to likely increased interest and capacity once the new sports centre opens, including by recreational users, staff and their families. These minutes also include a copy of the Report of the Physical Education Committee to the Senate
Minutes of the meeting held on 7 March 1961 include a copy of Rules for use of Physical Education Department premises, with particular reference to the building of the new sports centre. Minutes of the meeting held on 14 November 1961 mention revisions to the scheme for building the new sports centre, amended estimates, and continued negotiations are recorded in minutes of meetings held in 1962 concerning reductions in the scale of sports centre due to lack of funds. Minutes of the meeting held on 13 November 1962 include a paper on administrative control of the new sports centre, setting out a scheme for use. These minutes also contain copy of a printed booklet 'Central Government Aid to Sport and Physical Recreation in Countries of Western Europe' by D. D. Molyneux, published by the Physical Education Department, University of Birmingham
Minutes of meetings held in 1963 document the committee's anxiety about administrative facilities at the new sports centre, as funds did not provide for an administrative wing in stage one plans for the new building. The Committee's report to Senate, included with minutes of the meeting held on 12 November 1963 recommends that urgent consideration be given to the completion of the new sports centre in view of the likely increase in the number of students following the recommendations of the Robbins Report, and includes a copy of a memorandum on University Expansion in the light of the Robbins Report and its implications for the Department of Physical Education
Minutes of meetings held in 1964 record discussion about the use of the new sports centre, including opening hours, fees for associate membership, and applications for use by outside groups. There is also some information about the construction of the building in the form of brief progress reports which continue to be included in minutes of meetings held in 1965. Minutes of the meeting held on 17 November 1966 refer to the completion of the new sports centre and its official opening by Denis Howell, MP on 5 November 1966, but also to faults in the building identified since it had been occupied.
Committee meetings held in 1970 record discussion about the completion of phase two of the sports centre, including the construction of a swimming pool. This construction work appears to have been delayed, and discussions were still taking place in 1975 before approval was granted by the Planning and Priorities Committee. Minutes of the meeting held on 19 February 1976 contain discussion papers about proposals for the operation of the swimming pool, and the official opening, as well as proposals to name the sports centre after A. D. Munrow as a memorial.
Minutes of meetings held in 1974 contain references to a fundraising appeal for the establishment of the Raymond Priestley Outdoor Centre in Coniston, and minutes of the meeting held on 10 November 1977 refer to the composition of the Priestley Centre Advisory Committee. Minutes of the meeting held on 12 November 1981 mention the completion of phase three, the Prietley Centre, and minutes of the meeting held on 22 February 1982 include minutes of a Priestley Centre Advisory Committee meeting discussing the programme of use, finance, and development of the Centre
The last meeting of the Committee was held on 11 November 1982, following a recommendation from the Committee of Principals and Deans that the Physical Education department should remain responsible to Senate for providing physical recreation services for the University at large and the Director would report to the Seante annually on this aspect of the Department's work. The Physical Education Committee was disbanded, and responsibility for the Department was passed to the Faculty of Arts. It would be represented on the Faculty Board and the Boards of Study.
The first volume of minutes of the Physical Education Committee also contains minutes of meetings of the Board of Chemical Studies covering the period from 1920 to 1938, though the Board only met regularly from 1920 to the end of 1927 and only held three meetings after that date, in 1928, 1932, and 1938. The Board was a committee of the Faculty of Science, and minutes were read at meetings of the Faculty Board. Meetings were held at least once a term between 1920 and 1927 but much more sporadically after that. Membership consisted of Professorial staff, with two members elected annually from the junior lecturers in the Chemistry Department. The Board of Chemical Studies discussed amendments to regulations governing the award of degrees and other qualification; the design of courses; the enrolment of students on courses and the acceptance of candidates for PhD study; the extension of scholarships and the terms of newly established scholarships in Chemistry. It also made recommendations about whether individual students could continue to study for undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications when they had failed examinations or not met the requirements in other ways, and the names of individual students are usually given. There are also references to recommendations for increases to wages and the appointment of 'laboratory boys', laboratory attendants, and student demonstrators, and to the terms of newly established scholarships in Chemistry and the recommendation of individual students for awards. It is not clear whether the Board continued to meet after 1938 or whether its responsibilities were passed to another Faculty of Science committee |