President's weekly update
25 June 2020
Senior colleagues and I held an open meeting on Zoom for nearly 300 staff. The focus of the meeting was a presentation from John Cunningham, our interim Director of Finance, on the sector finances, our own income and expenditure details, balance sheet, assumptions about the impact of COVID-19 on key income streams and how these might be mitigated. I explained that research intensive universities such as ours were already stretched financially due to there being no increase in home/EU fees, a gradual erosion of the full costs of research but increases in all of our costs, particularly in staff costs. John reminded colleagues that even prior to the pandemic we needed to make savings to meet the commitment in Our future to generate at least a 5% annual financial surplus to reinvest in core activities. These savings will need to be added to due to the impacts of the pandemic, which remain largely unknown. You can watch a recording of the meeting and questions, and sign up for the next open meeting on 14 July.
Last week was the closing date for undergraduate students to accept offers for study through UCAS, which had been put back to allow students more time to make their choices. Acceptances for study from home students are closely in line with our expectations and with last year’s numbers, though some areas are higher than last year and some are lower. International student acceptances are above last year, though it is still uncertain whether students who have accepted will turn up to study, particularly those travelling from abroad. UK visa offices are now starting to reopen and although there are currently very few flights, we have been in discussion with major airlines who may put on extra flights from key destinations where students may travel from to the UK in the autumn. Much of course will depend on the rates of infection in the UK (ie how ‘safe’ students consider the UK to be) and overseas, and on the ability of students to travel.
I met with the Chinese Consul General who stressed again the major concerns of potential Chinese students about infection rates, the ability to travel and the opportunity for face-to-face teaching and other University activities. I was also interviewed by Chinese television about all that we are putting in place to support international students.
I had meetings this week with Eamonn Boylan, Chief Executive of Greater Manchester (GM) Combined Authority, and Andy Burnham, elected mayor of GM, to discuss how the University can contribute to the recovery of the region, notably through research and innovation and skills.
I took part in a panel at a Going Global conference on Zoom organised by the British Council on the future of international education. We discussed whether the current pandemic will change international study permanently or whether there will be a rapid return to normal. The panel’s view was there will be some permanent changes, for example in more online and blended learning but also perhaps less international travel.
The Industrial Strategy Council, of which I am a member, met by video this week to update on projects on skills, sectors and ‘place’. As part of this we considered universities’ contribution to the economy.
At a regular meeting with other Vice-Chancellors in GM, we shared plans for reopening and the new academic year, discussed messages from government and considered how we can work more closely on skills and training that will be necessary to help those who are unemployed as we continue to come out of lock-down.
I took part in a discussion of the national Leadership Council at which the Cabinet Secretary, Sir Mark Sedwill, spoke about the decline in infections from COVID-19, the impact of the pandemic on the economy and the likely slow economic recovery. We also discussed the Black Lives Matter campaign.
We have announced an additional day of paid leave on Friday, 24 July in recognition of how hard everyone has been working over recent months. I would encourage you to continue to take annual leave over the summer as it’s important we all have the opportunity to take a break, especially our essential workers who have continued to work on campus during lockdown. Line managers should encourage all of their colleagues to take a break, but if you’re not able to take all of your annual leave, you may be able to carry over more than the usual five days into the next annual leave year. We are also encouraging all colleagues to reduce their meeting commitments during the weeks beginning 27 July and 3 August. We have also given an update on working from home arrangements and guidance for colleagues who are returning to work on campus or from furlough leave.
Nancy Rothwell, President and Vice-Chancellor