Author: Shaun Williams, Executive Director Engagement and Advancement
A variety of issues were discussed at today’s UEB meeting:
- The Vice-Chancellor updated UEB on the Government announcement earlier that morning of the launch a major new initiative in Southampton to assess the feasibility of at-home saliva testing for COVID-19. Originated by a group of colleagues across the University, this innovative community-wide project could pave the way for regular testing more widely across our city and country. The Vice-Chancellor congratulated everyone who has been involved over the last couple of months – this remarkable programme illustrates very clearly the hugely important civic role we can fulfil for our regional community.
- As last week, there was a discussion about business planning and scenario planning for 2020/21. The business planning process had largely been completed prior to lockdown, and that budget will now form the baseline for the scenario planning now underway to model the likely impact of COVID-19 on student recruitment, research income and expenditure next year. As reported last week, we will have greater clarity around potential impact after Confirmation and Clearing in August, once we have seen enrolments in September, and in January when we have seen enrolments for some of the PGT courses which next year will start in January. We will test our scenarios and assumptions at each of those check-points, but it is inevitable that some significant reductions in our expenditure will be required during the 2020/21 financial year, whilst taking care not to damage our prospects for longer-term recovery.
- Next, UEB reviewed a paper summarising the University’s external performance. UEB discussed the improvement in the University’s QS ranking to #90 this year, attributed to a combination of score increases across five of the six metrics. Future opportunities for driving further upward movement will be where we can influence around Academic and Employer Reputation. Although pleased with the improvement, UEB was not complacent and recognised both the need and opportunity for further improvement relative to other universities, and the need to embed improving reputation into business as usual and into the culture. UEB also noted the improvement to 17th in the Complete University Guide this year. Publication of the Guardian league tables has been postponed to September 2020.
- UEB strongly welcomed proposals for the launch of a pilot for the Line Manager Development Programme, at the core of our drive to strengthen line management across the University. The programme, with equality, diversity and inclusion a central theme, will consist of four modules: Developing leadership styles, Being a Southampton Manager, Managing the student and customer experience, and Managing risk, finance and compliance. The full programme will start in October.
- UEB were briefed on a meeting held last week with a number of BAME students as we continue to listen to a range of stakeholders around the social justice agenda. A request emerged for clearer signposting to our complaints procedures for the reporting of incidents, including in induction packs for staff and students, which UEB fully supported.
- Finally UEB reviewed the University risk register, an important document at the best of times, and never more so than now.