Financial Sustainability Strategy Group
(formerly TRAC Strategy Group)
The Financial Sustainability Strategy Group (FSSG) is a high-level forum that considers the strategic, policy, cultural and technical issues around the use and development of the Transparent Approach to Costing (TRAC). It aims to meet institutions' needs for management information for decision-making, and to satisfy accountability requirements, and inform public policy and funding decisions.
Latest letter from the Chair
The FSSG is chaired by Professor Steve Smith, Vice-Chancellor, University of Exeter. The latest letter from Professor Smith examines current issues affecting financial sustainability in the higher education sector, the outcomes from the Research Council UK’s review of the Quality Assurance and Validation of TRAC, responses to the FSSG report below, and the TRAC Development Group’s planned programme to meet the needs of institutions and satisfy funders.
Letter from the Chair of FSSG (26 June 2009)
[ Download Letter from the Chair of FSSG Adobe PDF 693K | Download Letter from the Chair of FSSG MS Word 31K ]
FSSG report: The sustainability of learning and teaching in English higher education
The FSSG has published a report on the sustainability of learning and teaching in English higher education (HE). The work was led by a sub-group of the FSSG, chaired by Professor Geoffrey Crossick, Warden, Goldsmiths, University of London.
The report reviews the 'state of health' of learning and teaching. It looks at the cost pressures which impact on the sustainability and fitness-for-purpose of teaching, and the distinctive UK student learning experience. A range of evidence informed the report, including case studies at six English universities.
The report highlights actions for institutions and the HE sector collectively. This includes recommendations for funding the English HE sector if it is to maintain its reputation and international market position against increasing competition.
Letter from the Chair of FSSG (12 February 2009)
[ Download Letter from the Chair of FSSG Adobe PDF 33K | Download Letter from the Chair of FSSG MS Word 690K ]
FSSG report: The sustainability of learning and teaching in English higher education
[ Adobe PDF 467K ]
Membership and communication
FSSG membership
[ Download FSSG membership Adobe PDF 6K | Download FSSG membership MS Word 56K ]
FSSG terms of reference
[ Download FSSG terms of reference Adobe PDF 8K | Download FSSG terms of reference MS Word 61K ]
FSSG aims and objectives
[ Download FSSG aims and objectives Adobe PDF 8K | Download FSSG aims and objectives MS Word 41K ]
Further information about the group's programme of work is available in a letter from the chair, Professor Steve Smith issued under Circular letter 10/2008.
Letter from the chair of the Financial Sustainability Strategy Group (1 December 2008)
[ Download Letter from the chair of the Financial Sustainability Strategy Group Adobe PDF 36K | Download Letter from the chair of the Financial Sustainability Strategy Group MS Word 713K ]
Letter from the chair of the TRAC Strategy Group (16 July 2008)
[ Download letter from the chair of the TRAC Strategy Group (16 July 2008) Adobe PDF 24K | Download letter from the chair of the TRAC Strategy Group (16 July 2008) MS Word 122K ]
Letter from the chair of the TRAC Strategy Group (7 May 2008)
[ Download letter from the chair of the TRAC Strategy Group (7 May 2008) Adobe PDF 41K | Download letter from the chair of the TRAC Strategy Group (7 May 2008) MS Word 110K ]
TRAC Development Group
The FSSG forms part of a two-tier governance structure for TRAC. The TRAC Development Group oversees the various strands of TRAC development and reports to the FSSG.
Last updated 22 June 2010