Author: Shaun Williams, Executive Director, Engagement and Advancement
- Operating in Gold Command mode, UEB discussed a number of operational and campus issues as we continue to prepare for the further phased returns of students expected after Easter. We are planning for in-person teaching to resume from 12 April, however, this is of course subject to further Government decision and guidance around classroom-based teaching, which has been promised by the end of the Easter holidays. Regular testing will remain a key element of our COVID-secure measures, and all students and staff are expected to participate. A key focus now is the testing arrangements which will be required to be in place before the post-Easter return of larger numbers of students.
- The latest student and staff COVID cases dashboard was reviewed , which includes those students who are currently still living at home. Incidences in our own community continue to remain extremely low, and case levels in Southampton continue to drop, but we remain vigilant. UEB again expressed its thanks to our students for continuing to behave sensibly and in support of making Southampton as COVID-safe as possible.
The meeting then reverted to normal UEB mode for the rest of the meeting:
- UEB discussed the widespread concerns and protests around violence against women raised following the tragic death of Sarah Everard last week, and agreed we should provide a reminder and reassurance to our staff and students about the support and safety provision from the University.
- UEB formally ratified the University’s UK (UUK) Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021 submission, due to be submitted by the end of this month. This is the largest and most comprehensive research assessment in the world and drives the allocation of over £2bn annually, of which the University receives £48m. A successful REF outcome is important both financially and reputationally for the six or seven years until the next exercise is completed. UEB expressed its huge appreciation of the professional and collegial contributions of a large number of staff across the University over a period of more than five years, in achieving a high quality submission, recognising in particular the challenges of working under the shadow of COVID during the past year.
- UEB discussed a draft new Information and Cyber Security Strategy 2021-2025. Protecting ourselves from cyber-crime is of ever-increasing importance, with the volume and sophistication of malicious attacks a real and present threat. Robustly protecting ourselves from cyber-crime, and continually evolving our defences, can no longer be seen simply as the responsibility of iSolutions managing firewalls and networks. This is an institutional and individual responsibility, and requires everyone to be vigilant, and take personal responsibility.
- There was a detailed discussion about a paper summarising a proposed updated risk management framework, and a more simplified Strategic Risk Register. Ensuring the University is fully aware of and proactively managing its significant risks, and understanding the appetite for risk, is of crucial importance to UEB. This is very much an evolutionary work in progress which will return to UEB at a future meeting.
- Finally, UEB noted that the first of a series of important update briefings on the USS pension scheme starts this week, which staff are encouraged to take part in; UEB discussed a number of issues included in the regular SUSU Report, to be considered by our governing Council in March.