Author: Shaun Williams, Executive Director Engagement and Advancement
- UEB congratulated members of the Southampton University Challenge team on their hard-fought 135/120 quarter-final victory against Newnham College Cambridge this week, which sees them now join Royal Holloway, Bristol and Durham in the semi-finals over the coming weeks.
- 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, and UEB discussed the marking and assessment boycott currently in place. 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 UNISON branch relating to the national pay uplift for 2023/2024.
- UEB heard that the major incident last week with loss of water to much of our Highfield Campus, requiring staff and students to work and study off campus, was resolved within 24 hours. UEB thanked all those involved in restoring and testing our systems. This is the third Southern Water incident to impact us this academic year, and we will be raising our concerns formally with their management team.
- There was an update and discussion on the Southampton Global Online Project, a Strategic Major Project to develop and deliver high-quality online education, at scale, in partnership with an Online Programme Manager organisation. Entering the online market at scale is a key strategic priority as we diversify our education provision and increase our global education engagement, reach and reputation. This will strengthen the University, and also enable us to invest more in our broader academic and research purpose, and deliver our University Strategy. UEB noted good progress was being made, important discussions were taking place with our Schools, and we hope contracts with a partner may be agreed soon.
- UEB noted an update on the HESA Data Futures (Higher Education Statistics Authority) project, which shows we are on track to meet the May submission deadline for data returns. This has been a hugely complex piece of work and UEB recorded its thanks to all those who have been involved in supporting this.
- Finally, there was the regular review of the University Risk Register.