Present: Ian Carradice, Convenor (IC) (St Andrews), Helen Rawson (St Andrews), Valerie Fairweather (Stirling), Ewen Smith (ESm) (Glasgow), Evelyn Silber (ESi) (Glasgow), Peter Trowles (PT) (Glasgow School of Art), Alastair Ramage (Glasgow Caledonian), Matthew Jarron (MJ) (Dundee), Alan Knox (Aberdeen), Neil Curtis (NC) (Aberdeen), John Reid (Aberdeen)
In attendance : Marta Lourenaça (ML)
1. Apologies: Laura Adam (LA) (Dundee), David Thompson (Dundee), Graeme Roberts (Aberdeen/SMC), Jonathan Armitage (St Andrews), Malcolm Mcleod (Glasgow), Janet Sprent (Dundee)
2. Minutes of 2001 AGM approved
3. Convenor's report
One committee meeting had taken place since the last AGM, but the committee had been in regular email contact.
National Audit
At the last AGM it was agreed that the data submitted to the National Audit should be shared amongst UMIS members. This could be particularly valuable when writing joint funding applications. Some institutions had passed copies their returns to NC - everyone else was urged to do so.
Strategic Change Fund
The SUSIE (scientific instruments) bid for funding from the Strategic Change Fund had been unsuccessful, though it was noted that another bid from a group of universities had been, focusing on textiles.
Scotland's Museums - an Action Plan
It was agreed that a submission be presented from UMIS. This would be drafted by NC on the basis of comments from others, notably notes put together by ESi. The need for a response to the Registrayion Phase 3 consultation in spring 2003 was also raised.
Web site
MJ had been web-mounting information about members, but requested details from all members. He also noted that there had been some progress towards the web-mounting of collecting policies. LA had offered to produce a printed version in conjunction with MJ.
Conference
It was felt to be too soon for a full discussion of the conference that had ended that morning, but it was noted that the papers had been very mixed. Possible publication was discussed, with a web-based publication being suggested as most appropriate. IC will contact speakers.
4. Treasurer's report
A report was tabled, showing that the balance available to UMIS as at 30 October 2002 totalled £1,641.74. This was without current year membership subscriptions, which had been delayed pending a view from the AGM as to whether or not the subscription should remain at £50. It was considered that as the conference deficit would not exceed the available funds, the membership fee should be unchanged once more. The Treasurer undertook to send subscription invoices to member institutions shortly. RGU and Abertay would be invited to join
5. Elections to committee
IC had expressed his willingness to step down, but was willing to continue for a final 3-year term. Office bearers for 2001-2 are therefore:
Ian Carradice (Convenor)
Ewen Smith (Treasurer)
Neil Curtis (Secretary)
Matthew Jarron (Web editor)
Evelyn Silber (UMG / UMIS liaison)
Mungo Campbell (SMC / UMIS liaison)
6. UMG report
ESi reported on the University Musuems group (UMG) meeting of 18th September. She had reported UMIS activities to them (SUSIE, conference, National Audit etc.), while they had praised the quality of the UMIS newsletter and website. She noted various activities, notably the Human Remains Working Group, 'Renaissance in the Regions', the Spoliation and Restitution Working Party , Designation Challenge Fund and the UMG Advocacy Document. While the latter was a UK-wide UMG initiative with research undertaken by Laura Drysdale, the others would also have a wide impact, even if they do not explicitly deal with Scotland. She also reported that the Treasury had not responded positively to the request for waiving VAT on university museums, though this issue had been raised in a Westminster parliamentary debate.
7. UMAC report
ESm reported that the 2003 UMAC conference would be in Oklahoma, while the 2004 conference would be held in Seoul to coincide with ICOM. The next edition of the ICOM special study series would be published early in 2003 and would be about university museums, with 12 papers about university museums around the world. ML reported on the 2002 conference which had been held in Sydney. She noted that similar topics had been discussed as in the UMIS conference, notably the disparate nature of university collections and their role in the broader community. The proceedings of the UMAC Sydney conference would be published.
IC had to leave for part of the meeting. In his absence the meeting was chaired by PT. The meeting closed at 4pm.
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