University Executive Board minutes - 11 August 2020

Date:

11 August 2020

Present:

Professor K Lamberts (KL) (in the Chair)

Professor J Derrick (JD), Professor S Fitzmaurice (SF), Ms Heidi Fraser-Krauss (HFK) Professor S Hartley (SH), Professor M J Hounslow (MJH), Professor W Morgan (WM), Professor C Newman (CN), Professor D Petley (DNP), Mr R Sykes (RS), Professor G Valentine (GV), Professor C Watkins (CW)

In attendance:

Dr T Strike (TS), Mrs V Jackson (VEJ), Mr I Wright (IW), Mr D Barcroft (DB) (Item 1), Mr A Carlile (AC) (Item 1), Mrs L Carlile (LC) (Item 1), Mrs L McCarthy (LM) (Item 1)

Apologies:

Ms J Jones (JJ)

Secretary:

Mr M Borland (MB) / Dr E Smith (ES)

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1. Closed Minute and Paper

2. Round Table

   • Return to Campus Group:

     • WM reported that the RTC Group was meeting twice a week. UEB noted that the Group would need to coordinate a communications plan for students about the behaviour expected on campus (e.g. with respect to social distancing and the use of face coverings). Compliance with Public Health England requirements would necessitate a clear statement of the actions expected of students.

   • Return to Campus Staff Communications:

     • IW informed UEB that Corporate Communications was developing staff-facing communications to articulate the University’s position on the resumption of face-to-face teaching in Semester 1.

   • UEB Away Day:

     • GV confirmed that the next UEB Away Day would take place on 17 August at Halifax Hall.

   • UEB-Heads of Department (HoDs) Meetings:

     • GV updated UEB on the changes planned to UEB-HoDs meetings in the 2020/21 academic year. UEB endorsed the proposals made.

   • Professional Services:

     • RS reported on two professional service name changes in Academic Services that that had been agreed in advance of 2020/21.

   • University Librarian:

     • RS confirmed the arrangements that had been agreed for an interim University Librarian to be in place for the 2020/21 academic year.

   • UK Research and Innovation (UKRI):

     • SH reported on a meeting between the new Chief Executive of UKRI with the Russell Group.

   • Jessop West:

     • SF updated UEB on scheduled work on the windows.

   • Director of Health and Safety:

     • HFK reported that the Director would retire later in the year, and that plans would be agreed to recruit to the vacancy.

   • UEB- Students’ Union Sabbatical Officer Buddies:

     • TS thanked UEB members for their work in establishing the buddy relationships with current Council Members.

   • Council Effectiveness Review:

     • TS thanked UEB members for their contribution to the part of the review concerned with the relationship between the Executive and Council.

   • External Council Member:

     • TS updated UEB on the ongoing work to appoint another external member to Council.

   • Chair of Council:

     • TS reported that Council had extended the term of the current Chair to 2022.

   • OfS Reporting Requirement:

     • TS updated UEB on the OfS’ new permanent reporting requirement about exit from the market. A consultation was open, with a draft response to be shared with UEB in due course.

   • Science Minister:

     • KL reported that the Minister would be visiting the AMRC and NAMRC. UEB members were invited to submit issues for KL and DNP to raise during the visit.

   • Recruitment and Admissions:

     • KL updated UEB on the desire to prioritise work aimed at enhancing Home UG student recruitment in the 2020/21 academic year ahead of the admissions cycle for 2021/22.