Author: Shaun Williams, Executive Director Engagement and Advancement
- With the exams period nearing completion, 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 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 heard that our University Council last week formally approved the final elements of our suite of modernised ordinances – Ordinance number 8 (Employment of Staff at Level 4 and above), and “Overarching Principles.” The remaining suite of ordinances had been approved at its March meeting. UEB also heard that following the decision of Council, the Vice-Chancellor, on the recommendation of UEB, has approved a new suite of Employment Procedures. Producing these along with the new Charter and Ordinances is a key output of our Modernising the Governance strategic major project, aimed at delivering a refreshed, agile, contemporary and compliant set of University governing documents. The new ordinances and employment procedures will come into effect on 1 August 2023.
- UEB heard that, as had been widely trailed in the media, last week the Government announced new curbs to limit dependant visas for international students, and from January 2024 international postgraduate students on non-research courses will no longer be able to bring family members to the UK. We will continue to monitor any potential future impact, which we believe is likely to be relatively insignificant for Southampton. There was concern about the wider signal this could send in respect of the UK, and we like other Russell Group universities will continue to make clear that we are open to and welcoming of our international students.
- UEB heard that it would be announced later that day that Professor Max Crispin has been appointed as the new Director for the Institute for Life Sciences (IfLS) Strategic Interdisciplinary Institute. UEB congratulated Professor Crispin on his appointment, and thanked founding Director Professor Peter Smith for his inspiring leadership, and thanked Professor Hywel Morgan for stepping in as interim Director.
- UEB heard that last week the University had hosted a very engaging round table on menopause issues, chaired by Mims Davies MP, Minister for Social Mobility, Youth and Progression, and attended by Romsey and Southampton North MP Caroline Nokes, chair of the Women and Equalities Committee.
- Finally, there was the regular review of the University Risk Register.