Author: Shaun Williams, Executive Director, Engagement and Advancement
Chaired this week by the Senior Vice-President (Academic) in the Vice-Chancellor’s absence on University business, UEB discussed a number of strategic and operational issues:
- We continue to monitor closely the situation in Ukraine. The University has now agreed in principle to fund a number of scholarships to support refugee students, in our role as a City of Sanctuary Supporting Organisation, on our way to becoming a fully-fledged University of Sanctuary this summer. These scholarships, the details of which are being finalised and will be communicated shortly, will be available to refugee students from Ukraine and other conflict countries. The University is also considering how it might support academics at risk, from Ukraine and other conflict countries.
- We also know some colleagues are expressing interest in housing refugee families from Ukraine, and where appropriate we will be encouraging line managers to ensure flexibility to help enable that support to be provided. We know the situation in Ukraine is the cause of immense concern to many in our community. There is support available for staff and students, please do reach out if you need to talk.
- As we have done regularly throughout the COVID pandemic, UEB heard again from a number of our own experts on various COVID-related issues: Professor Saul Faust; Professor Keith Godfrey; Professor Bill Keevil; and Professor Robert Read. As always, a very informative and helpful discussion, as we prepare for the Government lifting of all COVID measures, including free testing, from the end of March.
- There was great disappointment at the news that the Government funding of the NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight Saliva Testing Programme will end from 31 March, as part of the Government’s decision to end all free testing from 1 April, and the service will need to be decommissioned. UEB expressed its huge thanks to those who devised and ran a truly remarkable programme, one that has played a huge role in limiting the impact of COVID not just on our own community, but also on other health and education institutions in Hampshire, and which won wide acclaim amongst medical and public health professionals. UEB also heard that the Government has reversed a decision earlier this month prohibiting universities from further distribution of free lateral flow tests, so we are now able to distribute our remaining stock.
- With testing ending, it will become even more important that staff and students who feel unwell for any reason stay at home, to protect others. Struggling in with a cold should no longer be viewed as a noble effort, as sometimes in the past, it should be seen as antisocial behaviour, and should be avoided. Above all, it is important we remain respectful to each other, respecting those who wish to continue wearing face coverings, and we recommend everyone considers using them in crowded areas. We need to be very aware that we do have a number of immune-suppressed staff and students in our community who remain extremely vulnerable to COVID. The continuing importance of personal hygiene and hand-washing was also emphasised, not just in respect of COVID but in preventing transmission of other seasonal viruses too. We will continue our close dialogue with our local health protection board: they, and we, are prepared for further COVID developments over the coming months.
- Moving on to other matters, UEB discussed a paper outlining a revised approach to improving the efficiency of our Undergraduate portfolio enrolment thresholds, emanating from the work of our three-year Reducing Curriculum Complexity project, and recognising we are not as efficient as some of our competitors in this respect. Further reflection will now take place.
- UEB noted a paper summarising the Level 7 appraisal process for 2021 and appraisal outcomes, which this year were not moderated. Line managers are reminded to ensure that all those due an appraisal at Levels 4-6 have an appraisal conversation by 31 May 2021.
- UEB warmly welcomed the news that Southampton is one of four cities to have been short-listed for the UK City of Culture 2025. This could be transformative for our city, and UEB expressed its thanks to those colleagues who have been working so actively and passionately on the bid. UEB also noted the great engagement with India Week, and thanked all those who helped make it a great success.
- Finally, there was the regular review of the University Risk Register.