Author: Shaun Williams, Executive Director Engagement and Advancement
- The Vice-Chancellor opened the meeting by welcoming Dr Giles Carden, our new Chief of Staff and Chief Strategy Officer, to his first meeting of UEB.
- There was an update on the ongoing national industrial action by members of the University and College Union (UCU), relating to pay and working conditions. UEB discussed the marking and assessment boycott which started two weeks ago – our primary focus continues to be to ensure that our students are not disadvantaged by any action and that there is minimal disruption to their studies and progression. UEB also considered a letter sent by the local UCU branch and discussed a reply which would be sent the following day.
- There was an update on a live situation developing as UEB was taking place around a loss of water to many buildings on the Highfield Campus, following a burst water main. It seemed likely that we might need to ask staff and students to vacate Highfield buildings for the rest of the day, because of the lack of water for drinking and sanitation, and subsequent to UEB that decision was made.
- UEB discussed the impact of the decision made at its meeting on 4 April to close PGT programmes to new applications. Student number forecasts for 2023/24 are extremely strong, and although UEB recognises closure of programmes at this stage of the cycle is problematic, this course of action is required to ensure protection from the significant potential negative consequences to a quality student experience of any excessive and unplanned student number growth.
- The Vice-Chancellor updated UEB on his visit to India last week, as we look at opportunities to expand our Transnational Education (TNE) activities and diversify our international focus. There are some very interesting opportunities in respect of our education and research in India to be explored further.
- UEB discussed a proposed approach to strategic investment decisions for 2023/24. There are a large number of ambitions in our strategy and the strategic plans, a number of which will be progressed as strategic major projects. To ensure the right investments are made at the right time, with effective sequencing, and in the context of a finite amount of available investment, a critical path of priorities has been drawn up.
- Finally, there was the regular review of the University Risk Register.