Author: Shaun Williams, Executive Director Engagement and Advancement
- UEB again thanked the many colleagues across the University who had been involved in preparing and running successful Graduation ceremonies in Southampton and Winchester over the last two weeks. These had all gone very smoothly, and had clearly been hugely enjoyed by our students, along with their families and friends. There was much to be proud of. The ceremonies coincided with the annual evening stakeholder event for some of our key civic leaders, research partners and donors, amongst others, which was also very successful in promoting the University and renewing and forging partnerships and collaborations.
- There was an update on the latest developments at national level concerning the ongoing industrial action by members of the University and College Union (UCU) relating to pay and working conditions. UEB heard that meetings between UCU and the Universities and Colleges Employers Association (UCEA) have continued to take place, although without immediate signs of a route to resolution.
- UEB noted that as part of our Modernising the Governance strategic major project, which has seen a revised Charter and removal of Statutes, new employment procedures came into effect that day (1 August), and a new Employment Procedures SharePoint site had been launched as a central resource for accessing information and guidance on the University’s new employment procedures.
- UEB were very pleased to hear that, as of the previous day, we now have at least one colleague for each of our faculties under the Cara Fellowship Programme, which we support – a programme set up to help academics at immediate risk around the world to escape to a place of safety where they can continue their work.
- Finally, there was the regular review of the University Risk Register.
The next scheduled meeting of UEB is in two weeks’ time.