To note: this week our usual blog author, Shaun Williams, is taking some well-earned leave and so the blog has been written by Kieron Broadhead, Executive Director Student Experience.
The meeting opened with an announcement from Rachel Mills that the University was audited last week to maintain our ISO 14001 certification which accredits our environmental management system against the recognised international standard. The team was delighted to report that we achieved a clean sweep against all audited areas, with no non-conformities nor opportunities for improvement raised. This is an excellent result and we thank our Environment team in particular for outstanding leadership during the last year of operations.
Operating as Gold Command:
- Gold Command considered the latest situation relating to infections within our community and was pleased to see the low infection rate within our own community, noting that many of our students were now not on site at the University.
- The group considered the implications for the University of the government’s Roadmap Step 4. Gold Command agreed that they would consider a proposal at their next meeting relating to the changes that would be implemented between now and the start of the 2021-22 academic year, and how we will plan to operate in the new academic year.
- There was discussion of the implications for the University and our students, of the government’s border policies, especially in relation to individuals arriving from ‘red’ zones.
Operating as UEB:
- UEB welcomed colleagues from the Change Portfolio Office (CPO) who provided an update on the transformation programmes and projects running across the University. UEB was pleased to hear of the progress across the range of programmes underway.
- Mal Allerton, Executive Director of iSolutions/CIO, presented an update on the IT programme of work. UEB noted that, as a result of issues relating to our Banner Student Records System, the CRM programme will be unable to launch the updated PGT admissions system for this September. UEB explored the issues that have led to this and the implications for the University.
- Rachel Mills provided an update on the Estates Programme and the new Estates and Infrastructure Committee of Council. UEB was pleased to hear about the progress that is being made across a range of the projects, including that Council had approved a significant programme to develop our Sports and Wellbeing offer on Highfield Campus.
- This was Helen Everest’s last meeting and thanks were expressed by all for the exemplary way that she has led the University’s Change Portfolio Office, and for the many initiatives that she has led and contributed to.
- UEB received a presentation on the findings from the latest Pulse Survey results ahead of their circulation to staff in the coming weeks. The staff results continue to be positive and indicate a small increase in staff engagement since the December 2020 Pulse, although colleagues continue to express a desire for more clarity about the future. The student results show a drop in student satisfaction levels, particularly our postgraduate taught (PGT) students. This is driven by the clear desire for students to be on campus and interacting with in-person education and research.