President's Weekly Update
1 March 2018
Many universities, including our own, have seen industrial action by University and College Union (UCU) members over the last week in protest at the proposed changes to the Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS) pension scheme. It is not possible yet to assess any impact of this action on our core activities. I know that for many staff taking such action has been a difficult choice because they are very concerned about their pensions but do not want to disadvantage their students. I have filmed a message for our students.
Universities UK (UUK), which is acting on behalf of employers which are part of USS, has met with representatives of UCU and will be meeting with the arbitration service ACAS next week. UUK has released a statement giving the latest update. We all hope for an early resolution for a secure and affordable pension.
Professor Clive Agnew, Vice-President for Teaching, Learning and Students, and I had one of our regular meetings with Alex Tayler, General Secretary of the Students’ Union. We then met with further staff and Students’ Union Executive members. We discussed the industrial action and steps we are taking to mitigate any impact on students while respecting the rights of our staff to take action and their very justified concerns about pensions. We talked about what the government review of the funding of post-18 education might mean for us and other universities. We also discussed elections for next year’s Executive members of our Students’ Union which opens today and the importance of student participation in the elections.
I met Sam Gyimah, Minister for Universities, Science, Research and Innovation, at a visit hosted by Manchester Science Partnerships. We discussed the strengths in research and innovation in Greater Manchester, the opportunities offered by health devolution and the many partnerships in the region and he saw examples of spin out companies.
In a visit to the School of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering (MACE) a large group of students asked many questions about the status of EU students after Brexit, the impact of industrial action on their teaching and visa status and fees for international students. I was then photographed by a number of them. Staff asked about the review of the Faculty structure, our position on pensions and the likelihood of a reinstatement of the post-study work visa for international students.
It’s been nearly four weeks since Investing in Success was launched and I’d like to remind colleagues that the scheme offers staff members across the University the chance to enhance their personal and professional development. Visit Investing In Success and take advantage of this excellent opportunity. Applications close on Friday, 16 March.
Dr Annette Bramley, who has recently become director of the N8 group of northern universities, visited me to discuss the future direction of the group, next projects, gaining data for communications about N8 universities and links to other organisations.
I attended a Faculty Leadership Team meeting in the Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health (FBMH) to discuss our planning for when Professor Ian Greer (Vice-President and Dean of FBMH) leaves at the end on July. Professor Peter Clayton will act as interim Vice-President and Dean. We discussed the great opportunities and some challenges that his successor will face. I reassured colleagues that no further restructures of the Faculty are planned and reminded them that the major restructure which formed FBMH was agreed before Ian Greer arrived.
I hosted a lunch for staff from across the University. We discussed what feels like an ongoing media attack on universities, the value of our cultural institutions, how to attract a more diverse international student population, what makes our University distinctive, future plans for the University, how we can get better at stopping doing things of lower value (or doing some things less) and prioritising better, and student mental health problems.
Rhys Whalley, Director of the Manchester China Forum visited to discuss the University’s strong links with China and the potential for mutual benefit from some shared activities between the City region and the University.
I spoke at the opening session of a new programme being delivered by our Staff Learning and Development team called ‘Making the Right Start’ which aims to support staff who are about to, or have just recently, taken up management roles across the University.
You may have seen press articles about universities’ and in particular Vice-Chancellors’ expenses claims which were the subject of a Channel 4 programme earlier this week. It was noted that our University did not respond to requests for information. Please see a statement on this and information on the expenses I incurred on University business that were requested by the programme makers.
I was inspired by the short film of Lemn Sissay’s new Making A Difference poem, earlier this week. It perfectly sums up what social responsibility means at the University. If you haven’t already, I urge you to take a couple of minutes to watch it.
Nancy Rothwell, President and Vice-Chancellor
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