Author: Shaun Williams, Executive Director of Engagement and Advancement
A number of issues were discussed under the Vice-Chancellor’s Business section at the start of this week’s meeting:
- There was a general discussion about the industrial action which started at Southampton and 59 other universities this morning. The Vice-Chancellor reported that he had visited four picket lines earlier this morning and had spoken to colleagues taking action to discuss and understand their concerns. Staff and students can access the latest information on industrial action here.
- The Chief Operating Officer reported that, with great regret, the decision had been made in conjunction with the Students’ Union (SUSU) to cancel the annual Christmas Lights Switch On event on Highfield Campus. The grassed areas where up to 2,000 students and staff were expected to gather on Tuesday evening had been assessed as unsafe for the large crowd, after suffering extensive rain damage combined with recent essential work to install large drainage pipes. UEB thanked the many staff at SUSU and the University who had been working hard on preparations for the event.
- UEB discussed a letter from the Rt Hon Justine Greening MP, chair of the Social Mobility Pledge (and a Southampton alumna) to gauge interest in supporting the pledge. Further consideration will be given to this initiative, which overlaps with our existing Widening Access and Participation action plan.
Two other items on the main agenda today:
- The regular quarterly review of HR metrics provoked two important discussions. Firstly, an extensive conversation about the varying nature of the contracts and hours offered to our staff, and how the University might be able to provide greater certainty, while also recognising the considerable complexity and variances of different categories of staff undertaking different activities. Secondly, a long discussion about how the University can take even more steps to ensure we encourage the widest possible diversity of applications to roles across our University, and ensure interview panels remain constantly alert to potential unconscious bias. This is an issue UEB is taking extremely seriously.
- For the second of the 2019-20 faculty ’regular reporting’ UEB sessions, Professor Rachel Mills, Dean of the Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences (FELS), provided an update on the delivery and performance of the FELS strategic objectives. These discussions are proving useful in ensuring UEB members have shared understanding of faculty and professional services performance during the year, and they also provoke good discussions about faculty cooperation and interdisciplinary opportunities.