{"id":1364,"date":"2023-09-14T09:00:50","date_gmt":"2023-09-14T08:00:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.southampton.ac.uk\/blog\/ueb-blog\/?p=1364"},"modified":"2023-09-13T14:13:19","modified_gmt":"2023-09-13T13:13:19","slug":"ueb-blog-12-09-23","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.southampton.ac.uk\/blog\/ueb-blog\/2023\/09\/14\/ueb-blog-12-09-23\/","title":{"rendered":"UEB Blog 12.09.23"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Author: Shaun Williams, Executive Director Engagement and Advancement<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"590\" height=\"280\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1365\" src=\"https:\/\/www.southampton.ac.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/32\/2023\/09\/UEB-Blog-12-09-23.png\" alt=\"Image of Highfield Campus with text &quot;UEB BLOG 12.09.23&quot;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.southampton.ac.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/32\/2023\/09\/UEB-Blog-12-09-23.png 590w, https:\/\/www.southampton.ac.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/32\/2023\/09\/UEB-Blog-12-09-23-300x142.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 590px) 100vw, 590px\" \/><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"20\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">There was an update on the current status of the <\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">industrial action<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> over pay and non-pay issues at national and local level by members of the University and College Union (UCU). UEB heard that the University has been given notice of an additional five days of strike action from Monday 25 to Friday 29 September, in addition to the ongoing Action Short of a Strike (ASOS), and that UCU has also announced the withdrawal of the Marking and Assessment Boycott following the results of a member consultation. UEB also heard that notice has been given that a strike ballot will open on Tuesday 19 September, and close on Friday 3 November, seeking a mandate for a period of further industrial action. <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"20\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">There was a further briefing on the use of <\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">RAAC <\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">(<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete), <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">on our campus estate. At our meeting last week, UEB heard this method of construction had not been widely used in any of our University-owned buildings, and we were previously aware of three buildings where the condition of RAAC was being regularly monitored. Over the last week, and in the light of revised Government guidance to schools, there has been a further precautionary<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\"> review and re-assessment of all our buildings. This identified use of RAAC in the Turner Sims Concert venue, and as a precautionary measure <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.southampton.ac.uk\/blog\/sussed-news\/2023\/09\/08\/use-of-raac-concrete-update\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Turner Sims has been temporarily closed<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"none\"> to allow a more intrusive survey to be carried out, which was taking place while UEB was meeting. We hope to re-open the venue as soon as we can, subject to any additional mitigations needed. <\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"none\">* Subsequent to the meeting it was confirmed that no immediate remedial work is required at Turner Sims and the venue will re-open shortly. <\/span><\/i><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"20\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">There was a huge welcome for the news last week, after a number of false dawns in recent years, that the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.southampton.ac.uk\/blog\/sussed-news\/2023\/09\/07\/back-on-the-horizon\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">UK will be associated again with <\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Horizon Europe<\/span><\/b><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, the world\u2019s most ambitious research and innovation programme.<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> Association means UK-based researchers and innovators can participate in Horizon Europe funding opportunities, including coordinating projects, on the same terms as EU-based applicants, from the 2024 Work Programmes onwards and including any 2024 calls opening this year. Swift and extensive re-engagement by researchers from across the University will ensure maximum advantage is taken of the opportunities now available. <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"20\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"3\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">UEB noted the publication over the previous weekend of two national <\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">UK University Rankings.<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> We have retained our top 20 UK universities spot in the Guardian University Guide 2024 with a ranking of 20<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">th<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, and broadly within our competitor group. <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">We also featured in the new Daily Mail University Guide 2024, using a different methodology, where we are ranked 21<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">st<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> out of the 128 institutions featured and are singled out for our stron<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">g record on social inclusion, teaching excellence and quality research. UEB heard that relative positions can often be a factor of improvement in other institutions, rather than any change in our own, and discussed how a small improvement in our NSS and Graduate Outcomes scores could lead to a significant advance in our competitor group.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"20\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">UEB agreed that this would need to be reflected in our priorities for business planning, which comprise:<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul style=\"list-style-type: circle\">\n<li data-leveltext=\"(%1)\" data-font=\"Calibri\" data-listid=\"21\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:0,&quot;335559684&quot;:-1,&quot;335559685&quot;:1440,&quot;335559991&quot;:720,&quot;469769242&quot;:[65533,2],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;(%1)&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Driving greater inclusivity for staff and students.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"(%1)\" data-font=\"Calibri\" data-listid=\"21\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:0,&quot;335559684&quot;:-1,&quot;335559685&quot;:1440,&quot;335559991&quot;:720,&quot;469769242&quot;:[65533,2],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;(%1)&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Deliver growth with excellence across our triple helix, in particular (a) protect and enhance the student experience; and (b) review and improve research performance.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"(%1)\" data-font=\"Calibri\" data-listid=\"21\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:0,&quot;335559684&quot;:-1,&quot;335559685&quot;:1440,&quot;335559991&quot;:720,&quot;469769242&quot;:[65533,2],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;(%1)&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"3\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Improving Graduate Outcomes.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"23\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">UEB heard there had been a successful <\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Open Day<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> the previous Sunday, attended by more than 2,500 prospective students, despite the unexpected rain. UEB thanked all those involved in organising the day so well.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"22\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">There was an update on the expansion and growth plans for <\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">University of Southampton Malaysia <\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">(UoSM), which will also be discussed at the next meeting of our Council. A business case for expansion was approved in November 2019, and construction work on a new campus estate and the expansion of the programme portfolio started in January 2020. That same month the World Health Organisation declared COVID-19 a public health emergency of international concern, and two months later the Malaysian borders closed for two years. Despite the very significant impact of the pandemic, particularly in respect of student recruitment, UoSM has made very significant progress against the criteria of its original business plan, and seen the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.southampton.ac.uk\/blog\/sussed-news\/2022\/03\/04\/a-day-at-university-of-southampton-malaysia\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">opening of its new purpose-built campus<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"22\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">UEB discussed the current <\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">2023 USS Valuation Technical Provision Consultation<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> \u2013 this consultation with Universities UK (UUK) is the first step in the process of agreeing the 2023 valuation, to be followed from 25 September by a statutory consultation with all USS members on potential benefits changes.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"20\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">UEB discussed potential criteria for evaluating and prioritising future <\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">capital investments<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, to ensure prioritisation aligns to the principal imperatives and goals in the University Strategy, as well as important financial criteria; and noted an update to Council on the core <\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">key performance indicators<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> (KPIs) which underpin and will ensure successful delivery of the University Strategy.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"20\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"3\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">UEB were delighted to hear that that we have been <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.southampton.ac.uk\/blog\/sussed-news\/2023\/09\/07\/southampton-shortlisted-for-the-awards\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">shortlisted in the <\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Outstanding Support for Students<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\"> category<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> of the Times Higher Education (THE) Awards 2023 for the implementation of our Student Hub model. UEB congratulated all those involved in the development and launch of the Student Hub, and all our colleagues who are delivering\u00a0 outstanding support to our students.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"20\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Finally, there was the regular review of the University <\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Risk Register<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, where some recent updates were noted.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Author: Shaun Williams, Executive Director Engagement and Advancement There was an update on the current status of the industrial action over pay and non-pay issues at national and local level by members of the University and College Union (UCU). UEB heard that the University has been given notice of an additional five days of strike [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":259,"featured_media":1365,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1364","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-ueb-blog"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.southampton.ac.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/32\/2023\/09\/UEB-Blog-12-09-23.png","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pfzuzw-m0","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.southampton.ac.uk\/blog\/ueb-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1364","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.southampton.ac.uk\/blog\/ueb-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.southampton.ac.uk\/blog\/ueb-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.southampton.ac.uk\/blog\/ueb-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/259"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.southampton.ac.uk\/blog\/ueb-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1364"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/www.southampton.ac.uk\/blog\/ueb-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1364\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1376,"href":"https:\/\/www.southampton.ac.uk\/blog\/ueb-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1364\/revisions\/1376"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.southampton.ac.uk\/blog\/ueb-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1365"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.southampton.ac.uk\/blog\/ueb-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1364"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.southampton.ac.uk\/blog\/ueb-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1364"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.southampton.ac.uk\/blog\/ueb-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1364"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}