Author: Shaun Williams, Executive Director of Engagement and Advancement
Much of today’s UEB meeting focused on reviewing our current financial performance and the status of business planning for 2019-20. Financially, as always, it’s a complex picture with revenue increases in some areas, cost reductions being achieved in some areas, and some apparent gains actually as a result of underspending against agreed budgets – which isn’t always a good thing.
We know that we at times struggle to explain clearly the University’s finances. For example, the reasons why we need a surplus (without which we could not invest for our students and staff), and why we need at the same time to both make significant savings and ensure that we invest for growth and long-term sustainability. We are considering new ways of trying to shed greater light on this ahead.
UEB heard the current position with student numbers for 2019-20 is currently a mixed picture – overall a partial recovery in student applications, and 4,196 more offers made than this time last year. But there are considerable variations between faculties, and between UG and PGT. Clearing and confirmation will, as always, be important this year, and very targeted, and we will be refining potential scenarios over the coming weeks.
Three other papers were considered:
- A proposed change to the School structure in the Faculty of Medicine, with a proposal to merge Medical Education (MedEd) with Primary Care and Population Sciences (PCPS), which has been the subject of extensive consultation within the faculty. UEB approved the paper being sent to Senate, where the formal decision needs to be made.
- A request for temporary staff resource was approved to enable us to fulfil our commitment to the principles of the Concordat to support the Career Development of Researchers. Delivering the action plan is vital if the University is to retain the HR Excellence in Research award, which in turn is a key component of the environment section of the Research Excellence Framework (REF).
- A new CCTV and Observation Systems Policy was approved – this will ensure our CCTV security cameras and other technologies such as vehicle dashboard cameras and body-cams are fully compliant with Data Protection legislation.
Finally, Professor Mark Spearing updated UEB on issues discussed at a Universities UK (UUK) meeting he attended last week, including pensions, the Comprehensive Spending Review, funding of international schemes after Brexit, the political landscape, and the Office for Students driving for increased evidence of universities demonstrating Value for Money to students.
At the UUK meeting, Professor Mark Spearing also met with Professor Mark E. Smith, our future President and Vice-Chancellor, and discussed a number of issues including preparations for his arrival at Southampton on 1 October 2019, which Professor Smith is very much looking forward to.