University Executive Board minutes - 11 May 2021

Date:

11 May 2021

Present:

Professor K Lamberts (KL) (in the Chair), Professor S Fitzmaurice (SF), Professor J Derrick (JD); Ms H Fraser-Krauss (HFK); Professor S Hartley (SH), Ms J Jones (JJ), Professor C Newman (CN), Professor D Petley (DP) Mr R Sykes (RS), Professor G Valentine (GV), Professor C Watkins (CW)

In attendance:

Professor J Litster, Professor A Hindmoor, Dr T Strike, Mrs T Wray, Mr I Wright (IW)

Apologies:

Professor M J Hounslow (MJH), Professor M Vincent (MV)

Secretary:

Mr David Swinn (DTS)

1. Capital Approval – Dental School

   • UEB considered and approved the release of a maximum budget to upgrade the ventilation system for the Clinical Skills Learning environment located in the School of Clinical Dentistry, rooms D10/13 & D14.

2.  Coronavirus Updates

   • It was reported that the University was considering the implications of the Government’s confirmation that face to face, on-campus teaching could resume from 17 May as part of the wider lifting of national restrictions under the next phase of the Government Roadmap. The University had committed to releasing students in University owned accommodation from their residential contracts on 17 May if they did not wish to use the accommodation. Members noted the letters to providers and to students from the Universities Minister following the Government announcement.

   • UEB also noted the latest report from the Major Incident Team, including recent discussions with the Director of Public Health.

3. Round Table

   • National Pay Negotiations: IW reported on the latest phase of negotiations and the likely outcome, including the potential for dispute resolution meetings during June.

   • Engagement with the City Council: HFK reported on positive discussions with the Interim Head of Infrastructure, who was keen to work with the University to promote Sheffield as a welcoming destination for study. It was also noted that a recent report by Partnerships and Regional Engagement on the University’s impact and contribution to the City would be published during the week of 17 May.

   • Arts Tower Occupation: KL reported that the University had taken possession of the building and that the occupation had ended without incident. On behalf of UEB, KL thanked colleagues involved in concluding the matter.

   • Student Assault: UEB was saddened to note that one of the University’s students had been the victim of a racially aggravated assault in the city centre. The University was working with city partners and community leaders to offer support to the Chinese and other ethnic minority communities, and to emphasise the extent of the University’s support for its overseas students. More broadly, the University would be proactive in communicating with relevant stakeholders, including through the Race Equality Steering Group.