Author: Shaun Williams, Executive Director Engagement and Advancement
The Vice-Chancellor opened the meeting by warmly welcoming Wendy Appleby on her first day with us as our new Vice-President (Operations), and to her first meeting of UEB.
Operating in Gold Command mode, UEB discussed several operational and campus issues:
- There was a further update on various aspects of planning for the start of the new academic year, with teaching starting that day, an update on our discussions with the campus trade unions, and confirmation of the significant and continuing communications to our students about our community approach to looking after each other, recognising that some in our community remain more vulnerable than others to the impact of COVID on them and their families. UEB heard that our revised plans for dealing with an outbreak have been welcomed and fully supported by our local directors of public health, and have been submitted to the Department for Health and Social Care as required. UEB also heard from the President of SUSU about a very successful Welcome Week for our new and returning students, which included a requirement of proof of a negative lateral flow test.
- As we have done regularly during the last 18 months, a number of our own academic colleagues who have been directly involved in advising Government and the national COVID response updated UEB on their areas of expertise and answered questions – Dr Nisreen Alwan, Professor Keith Godfrey, Professor Sir Stephen Holgate, Professor Bill Keevil, and Professor Lucy Yardley. As ever, a huge amount to reflect on and a clear message of the need for continuing to temper optimism with caution during the winter months.
- The latest student and staff COVID cases dashboard was reviewed. Like all regions we are starting to see a slight 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.
The meeting then reverted to normal UEB mode to discuss a number of other issues:
- UEB approved a proposal for major testing and maintenance of the electrical systems at our primary Data Centre, to be carried out during the closure period between Christmas and New Year. This will have an impact on a number of university systems during that period – full details will be communicated over the coming weeks.
- Finally, UEB noted the SUSU report to Senate, and carried out its regular review of the University Risk Register.