Author: Shaun Williams, Executive Director Engagement and Advancement
Operating in Gold Command mode, UEB discussed several operational and campus issues:
- As usual, there was an update on the current reported staff and student COVID case numbers, which remain relatively low, and an update on case numbers in our local community, which are also reducing. However, as the government made clear on Monday, the need for continuing vigilance remains as we enter potentially difficult winter months, with intense pressure on the NHS.
The meeting then reverted to normal UEB mode to discuss a number of other issues:
- There was an update on the current member consultation on changes to the Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS) pension, and a reminder that a further series of briefings will be provided by pensions expert Brendan Mulkern at the end of this month. These briefings are important to help inform individual responses to the consultation, as the issues and implications are complex and need to be considered in their entirety, and not in isolation. The members consultation closes on Monday 17 January 2022.
- UEB noted the annual update on the Campaign for Southampton, one of the University’s Strategic Major Projects, which aims to unite all our community to drive a significant increase in philanthropy and volunteering, with a potential campaign target of £100m. The last year has been focused on campaign readiness, guided by a Campaign Leadership Group led by the Vice-Chancellor, focusing on governance, insight and operations, engagement and philanthropy. Fundraising for the long-term campaign is inextricably linked with our estates masterplan, and is likely to begin in autumn 2022 when potential propositions have been developed and tested with donors. Lead fundraising projects are likely to include a new Medical Health Research Building, and our Ignite programme.
- UEB discussed and strongly supported the Student Services Wellbeing Strategic Plan 2021-2026, setting out our vision for the services we offer in Student Services and how we plan to develop them over the next five years. The COVID-19 pandemic has further underlined the support universities need to provide to protect the mental health and wellbeing of students. This is a hugely important issue for our University – we are confident that we are actively engaged in providing support where it is required, but we are far from being complacent.
- UEB approved a paper setting out revisions to the University’s approach to Level 7 pay reviews and re-banding within the ERE job family, with the purpose of improving existing processes and promoting equality. The recommendations were prepared taking into account a range of feedback on the existing pay review mechanisms at Level 7. Further details will be communicated over the coming weeks.
- In recognition of the continuing pressures and challenges colleagues may be experiencing in their work and home lives in this current phase of the pandemic, UEB approved two measures aimed at providing additional wellbeing support. Firstly, there will be an additional University Closure Day on Thursday 23 December for full-time staff (pro-rated for part-time staff). For those colleagues who may be required to work that day, and those who are not contracted to work on that date, this additional entitlement will be added to their annual leave balance. Secondly, recognising that challenges still exist for those colleagues with caring responsibilities, including those with school-age children where COVID-19 case levels remain high and are causing family disruption, we are again extending the annual domestic leave entitlement from four to 10 days for the current annual leave period, ending 30 September 2022.
- Finally, UEB noted the President of SUSU’s report for the next meeting of our governing Council, and carried out its regular review of the University Risk Register.