Author: Shaun Williams, Executive Director Engagement and Advancement
Operating in Gold Command mode, and this week chaired by the Senior Vice-President (Academic), UEB discussed several operational and campus issues:
- There was a detailed update on various aspects of planning for the start of the new academic year. UEB heard that some issues last week regarding the allocation of student accommodation had been resolved, with accommodation guarantees for UG students all met. Welcome events are underway and it is wonderful to see students returning to our campuses and the buzz returning.
- A further reminder to students about expectations around community behaviours to keep everyone safe, including use of face coverings and the importance of regular testing, were being sent later that day. The University Health Service is currently offering a walk-in vaccination service to students and staff for first and second dose vaccinations, and is also offering booster jabs for those who had their second dose at least six months ago. UEB also heard that the survey of students’ vaccination status, which we recently carried out for the Office for Students on behalf of the Department for Education, showed 89% of students were double-vaccinated already and another 5% have had their first, and on course for their second, which was very encouraging.
- Re-opening our campuses to our students and more staff is particularly complex this year, and many staff teams are extremely busy supporting returning students and staff, with large volumes of queries. UEB heard that the Ask HR telephone service is under particular pressure due to the unprecedented volume of enquiries, and colleagues are asked for their understanding and are encouraged to use the online forms on ServiceNow to submit any HR requests, rather than calling AskHR. This this will ensure a more effective and speedier response.
- The latest student and staff COVID cases dashboard was reviewed. Incidences in our own community still remain relatively low, but all regions are starting to see an up-tick in case numbers. We are fully ready to respond to any cases and to support any students and staff affected, and we remain in very regular contact with our local Directors of Public Health.
- Finally, UEB were advised that the current challenges around fuel distribution were not having an immediate impact on the University, either in respect of deliveries, or our own operations. Over recent years we have introduced more electric vehicles to our own fleet.
The meeting then reverted to normal UEB mode to discuss a number of other issues:
- UEB discussed the quarterly Equality, Diversity and Inclusion update, detailing key areas of work progressed against the Strategic Plan: Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, during the period July to August 2021, priorities for the rest of quarter 3 and plans for quarter 4. The significant areas of work progressed during the quarter included continuing work on our institutional equality charter submissions; reviewing the reverse mentoring pilot scheme; progressing the “Super Recruiters” project, and continuing to develop the Gender and Diversity dashboard.
- UEB heard that publication of REF outcomes is now expected on 12 May 2022; there was an update on the latest developments in respect of the USS pension scheme; there was a briefing on sector expectations around the next Comprehensive Spending Review; and finally the regular review of the University Risk Register.