Author: Shaun Williams, Executive Director Engagement and Advancement
A variety of issues were discussed at today’s UEB meeting, the first for two weeks as a number of our regular governance meetings have reduced frequency in August recognising the number of attendees on annual leave:
- There was a wide-ranging discussion around a draft new International Recruitment Strategy, which has been drawn up over several months and more recently revised in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. The strategy was commissioned to address the challenges facing the University in terms of its ability to recruit a suitable population of international students across all levels of study and from a diverse range of source countries, recognising that in 2018/19 income from international student fees was £85M, representing 15 per cent of the University’s total income. UEB members strongly supported the strategy, which will form part of the University’s wider internationalisation strategy, and asked its authors to consider how it might also reflect our global civic responsibility through capacity building in key territories, and how it might link to our new Sustainability Strategy and the Sustainable Development Goals. Following approval by UEB, the Global Recruitment and Admissions department will now develop an institutional operational plan and Faculty Action Plans for communication early in the autumn term.
- There was an update from the Chief Operating Officer on our Active Campus plans for preparing the University for the return of students and staff to a COVID-secure campus environment for the start of the autumn term. A huge amount of work is currently underway involving colleagues right across the University. UEB was also updated on progress in actively developing a testing programme for students that would link with the appropriate Track and Trace system, based on our recent successful experience jointly leading a major Government-funded COVID-19 saliva-based testing pilot for the City of Southampton.
- UEB also approved an update to the Essential Travel Policy to come into effect from 17 August 2020. During the COVID-19 pandemic no university-supported travel has been permitted other than in extremely unusual essential circumstances. Even though the Government has now lifted some travel restrictions, the situation remains extremely volatile, including increasing requirements for quarantining, and this is likely to continue over the autumn. In addition, the University wishes to reduce travel in 2020/21 for both cost and sustainability reasons, and to maintain the on-campus available workforce at maximum. The University will therefore continue to restrict University-supported travel, in the UK and internationally, to that which is ‘essential’ and is in the interests of the University. We continue to advise strongly against any travel for the remainder of the 2020/21 academic year. The policy will be reviewed by UEB on a three-monthly basis.
- There was an interesting discussion about wellbeing and a recognition that there are different views, and different comfort levels, in respect of staff continuing to work from home and preparing to return to campus. As we create a COVID-secure campus environment we will, at the very minimum, adhere to all government guidelines, and where appropriate will exceed them, and meetings on these and other issues are now being held weekly with the campus trades unions.
- UEB also considered a letter from members of the Campbell Group of women staff in Electronics and Computer Science (ECS), raising concerns about the suspension of promotions and re-grading in 2020/21 as part of the precautionary cost savings measures the University is having to make as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. A point previously made was underlined – this is a suspension not a cancellation and if our financial situation allows it, that decision can and will be reversed.
- In other matters: UEB considered a review of the UniWorforce Casual Workforce, to ensure it is used appropriately for recruitment and ensures continued compliance with UKVI legislation; a governance and operational plan was agreed in respect of UKRI‘s COVID-19 Grant Extension Allocation; there was an update on the Office for Students’ approach to regulation and information about deadlines for data returns, recognising that its regulatory response continues to need to be proportionate in these unprecedented circumstances; and there was the regular review of the University’s Risk Register.