Author: Shaun Williams, Executive Director Engagement and Advancement
- The Vice-Chancellor welcomed Alison Jarvis, who joined us last week as our new Executive Director of Finance, to her first meeting of UEB. He and UEB wished her every success and happiness in her new role over the coming years.
- UEB noted a letter sent over the weekend to University Vice-Chancellors by Education Secretary Gillian Keegan MP in the light of campus protests in the USA in recent weeks about Israel’s military action in Gaza, and more recent low-key protests at some UK institutions. Her letter highlighted an “abhorrent and deeply concerning” rise in anti-semitic incidents since the 7 October attacks. The letter continued: “Freedom of speech and expression is vital to your academic communities, but it must not undermine the safety of staff and students, or be used to harass and intimidate, or cause significant disruption to the vital business of higher education.”
- The Vice-Chancellor advised UEB that he would be writing to all staff that morning inviting them to this year’s Staff Party on the afternoon of Wednesday 3 July, on Highfield Campus. He said he hoped it would be an enjoyable occasion and an opportunity for him, and members of UEB, to thank everyone in person for their hard work and commitment as a very busy academic year draws to a close, and to celebrate all that we achieve together. He hoped as many staff as possible could attend.
- The Vice-Chancellor reported on an introductory meeting he had held with the new Chief Executive of the National Oceanography Centre (NOC), one of our University’s core research and education partnerships. Southampton is one of the UK’s foremost maritime science centres and both our institutions are determined to grow our collective global reputation in this field.
- UEB discussed a detailed paper updating on the Government’s changes to immigration rules including changes to the salary threshold for skilled workers visas and family visas. UEB also agreed a proposed change to the recruitment system to hide details of the immigration status for job applicants from recruitment panel members.
- Finally, there was the regular review of the University Risk Register.