Author: Shaun Williams, Executive Director Engagement and Advancement
A range of strategic and operational issues on the UEB agenda today, as always
- UEB discussed a letter sent to Vice-Chancellors by Universities Minister Michelle Donelan MP (who since the meeting has been promoted to Education Secretary) which raised concerns in the sector, in which she suggested a potential tension between participation in diversity schemes such as the Race Equality Charter, and universities’ obligations to ensure freedom of speech on campus. We will shortly be submitting our own Bronze Race Equality Charter submission.
- UEB expressed its thanks to all those staff and students who helped make last weekend’s in-person Open Days a huge success, with several thousand students and their families attending a very engaging and apparently well-received event. It followed just days after a very successful Staff Party which saw more than 1,200 staff enjoying meeting up with colleagues at a vibrant and celebratory event.
- UEB noted the publication earlier that day of a statement by Universities UK, which attracted some media coverage, announcing plans to return to pre-pandemic levels of Firsts and 2:1s being awarded over the next two years.
- With COVID cases rising again nationally and regionally, UEB were briefed that we remain in close regular contact with our local Health Protection Board, whose guidance informs our regular activities and large events like Open Days and Super Graduations. We maintain a close watching brief, but no changes are required to our current arrangements. We continue to encourage hygiene precautions to protect against all seasonal viruses, advise anyone feeling ill to stay at home and not struggle in, and urge respect and consideration for those staff and students who wish to continue using face coverings.
- UEB noted that a 60-day consultation on a proposed change in member contributions to the University of Southampton Pension & Assurance Scheme for Non-Academic Staff (PASNAS) starts this week, and a series of briefings held by pensions expert Brendan Mulkern starts on Friday.
- Finally, there was a brief update on the Modernising the Governance strategic major project; a discussion about the introduction of more flexible car parking permit options, which will be communicated shortly; and the regular review of the University Risk Register.