Author: Shaun Williams, Executive Director Engagement and Advancement
Operating in Gold Command mode, UEB discussed several operational and campus issues:
- Last week the Chief Operating Officer updated staff on our continuing approach to the lifting of formal COVID restrictions in England, and on our planning for teaching for the autumn. The next Government announcement is expected to be a change to self-isolating rules from 16 August for those double-vaccinated who may have come into contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID. UEB heard that a review of risk assessments for use of our research and enterprise laboratories is underway with simplified guidance expected shortly.
- The latest student and staff COVID cases dashboard was reviewed. Incidences in our own community are currently low, and we continue to liaise closely with our local public health bodies who are monitoring city cases and hospitalisation rates carefully.
- UEB heard that the Education Secretary Gavin Williamson has written to Vice-Chancellors underlining the importance of encouraging and enabling students to receive their COVID vaccinations ahead of the new academic year. We have been very proactive in doing so – encouraging vaccinations and regular testing remain key pillars in our community approach to the current phase of the pandemic. Meanwhile, it appears the Government has now moved away from the suggestion of compulsory vaccinations for students, suggested in some media stories last week.
The meeting then reverted to normal UEB mode to discuss a small number of other issues in a lighter than usual agenda:
- UEB reviewed the draft annual assurance statements for 2020-21, which underpin our full compliance with regard to the legal frameworks in which we operate around the world, and are fundamental to successful, safe and compliant operations for the University. UEB heard that it was very important that all staff above Level 4 completed an annual declarations of interest form, and this needed to be rigorously enforced to ensure that individuals were not exposing themselves or the University to risk.
- UEB considered proposals for ensuring a consistency of approach across all faculties and Directorates relating to costs associated with COVID-19 testing and quarantining, relating to travel to or from the UK on University business only. These proposals will be discussed with campus trades unions and then circulated to line managers.
- UEB reviewed a proposed new template for reports to meetings of Council, UEB and other formal governance meetings. This is designed to ensure a more effective, understandable and consistent approach to report-writing to ensure fully-informed decisions are made. With a few final tweaks to be made, this will then be shared more widely with those likely to be drafting such reports.
- Finally, there was the regular review of the University Risk Register.
The next meeting of UEB will be in two weeks’ time, on Monday 16 August.