Author: Shaun Williams, Executive Director, Engagement and Advancement
A rather sombre meeting of UEB today with events in Ukraine the focus of much of the initial discussion.
- UEB recognises that the unfolding events in Ukraine are of deep and increasing concern to many in our community. Our immediate focus has been on ensuring our students and staff from Ukraine and Russia are aware of the practical and pastoral support available to them. We are continuing to monitor the situation closely, and assess the implications for our community. There is support available for staff and students, please do reach out if you need to talk.
- UEB also discussed our current research partnerships with Russia. In direct response to the military action taken against Ukraine by the Russian government, UEB agreed, with immediate effect, to suspend until further notice the University’s two formal partnership with the National Research Tomsk Polytechnic University, and Lobachevsky State University of Nizhni Novgorod. The decision would be communicated by the Vice-Chancellor to the Presidents of the two institutions later that day, making clear that the decision was taken with regret, because we fully recognise the value of academic collaboration and endeavour across nations for the greater societal good, and we have valued the collaborations between our individual colleagues.
- In addition, UEB also agreed that any discussions about potential future relationships with Russian partners should be paused, with immediate effect. Where individual relationships or joint contracts exist with partners in Russia, it is for the individual to determine whether they wish to continue, pause, or sever them, against the backdrop of our University’s wider position.
UEB then moved to discuss a number of other issues:
- As usual, UEB discussed the prevailing COVID situation, and heard that case numbers in our University community and our local community are continuing a welcome decline. Despite the Government distribution to universities of free lateral flow tests ceasing, our own Hampshire and Isle of Wight saliva testing programme does currently still offer twice-weekly testing, which we continue to encourage.
- The Vice-Chancellor updated UEB on the Government’s publication of its concluding response to the Augar Review of Post-18 Education and Funding, nearly three years after the report was first published. Key headlines include the capping of tuition fees at £9,250 until 2025, lengthening the current cap to seven years; a cut to the cost of Foundation Year study; student number controls for some “poor-quality, low-cost courses,” new minimum entry requirements; and changes in the conditions of loan to students from 2023, including extending the outstanding loan period from 30 to 40 years.
- UEB reviewed and discussed a report with the initial findings of the Race Equality Survey 2021, a survey conducted with our students and staff at the end of last year to help inform the University’s Race Equality Charter Submission this summer. The initial findings make for very uncomfortable reading, including around trust in the University’s ability to respond to issues. The full detail is still being analysed, and the results will be shared with students and staff, alongside our broader REC submission and action plan later this year. UEB were clear this should be grasped as a platform for change and all members of our community needed to reflect on their contribution in this area.
- UEB strongly endorsed the Health & Wellbeing Strategic Plan 2022-2024 and were pleased to learn of its co-creation. UEB heard that the key focus between 2018-2021 had been on ill-health linked to musculoskeletal related work, and the wellbeing impacts to mental health from work-related stress. Significant progress has been made in both areas, although it is fully recognised that this needs to be further embedded at operational level. The key focus from 2022 will be to drive a wider wellbeing approach to decision making and operational delivery which will help make the University an even better place to work, where everyone has input on how their work is carried out. This strongly reflected elements of the new University Strategy.
- UEB reviewed an update on progress towards the implementation of the University’s new approach to staff engagement, as part of our new people-centred University Strategy. This will see two staff surveys each year – the next one in April – with rapid turnaround of responses to ensure issues are addressed in a swift and timely manner.
- UEB endorsed updated guidance on Lecture Capture, the subject of extensive discussion with UCU representatives over an extended period; endorsed an update on the Modernising the Governance strategic major project to be considered by our governing Council; noted the President of SUSU’s report to our governing Council.