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President's weekly update

3 March 2022

Conflict in Ukraine

The Russian government’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine is of ever-increasing concern as the conflict and human tragedy escalates. Like everyone, l am appalled and deeply distressed. Such aggression and human suffering are never acceptable and are completely incompatible with the values we hold dear, challenging the fundamental principles of freedom, democracy and self-determination which provide the basis for academic freedom and cooperation.

We have offered support to those students and staff affected and are working to evacuate any in areas of potential conflict. We are in regular contact with government about immediate issues such as visas, support and evacuations and are also considering the longer-term consequences and further ways in which we can support those affected by this terrible conflict. The Disaster Emergencies Committee has also just launched a Ukraine appeal where government is matching any charitable donations.

Senate

Separately, Senate also agreed to issue a statement on Ukraine which has been published. We considered the next steps in our revisions to governance as recommended by our independent review, and the process for academic assurance. Senate’s opinion on its future composition was informed by a ranked preference ballot and will now be reported to the Board: the proposal for a significant increase in the number of Senate members will require changes to our Statutes (as will some other governance changes).

USS pension

There have been some comments that staff could lose up to half their pension as a result of the forthcoming changes, which will now go ahead in April following agreement from the USS Trustee. I would like to reassure you this is definitely not the case. We have made a further statement to explain matters and whilst everyone’s results will be different, I would encourage you to use the USS calculator to determine your likely pension which is still available at the consultation website. It is now very important that we move ahead with the ongoing reviews of governance and alternative models for pensions.

School visit

In the Alliance Manchester Business School (AMBS) students asked some great questions such as ‘how do we meet the challenges of being an even stronger world class university?’ They had much praise for their teachers but wanted more study spaces out of hours. In response to a question about casualisation of staff, we pointed out that only a tiny number are on casual contracts and most of these are student ambassadors. Staff asked about diversification of our student body, the success of our innovation activities and start-up companies, and how we ensure we are distinctive. We heard about the many cross-disciplinary activities in research, teaching and social responsibility.

Strategic Planning Group

At the meeting we reviewed our priorities for investment, particularly in estates and IT, including our zero carbon plan. The costs of these way outstrip the funds we are likely to have available, so we are now prioritising. We also discussed the Board of Governors Strategy Day in May, the process and timelines for our planning and our budget for 2022/23, and the ‘balanced scorecard’ of metrics by which our performance is judged each year.

Students’ Union

Professor April McMahon, Vice-President for Teaching, Learning and Students, and I met with Melody Stephen, General Secretary of the Students’ Union. We discussed the impact of the situation in Ukraine on students, pending additional degree ceremonies, and the elections for next year’s Students’ Union officers, which start very soon. There will be a new set of Officers after a vote in which students supported having three officers for teaching and learning, one for each Faculty.

Russell Group

At a board meeting we met with Minister for universities, Michelle Donelan to discuss the Government’s response to the Augar review, which was published 1,001 days after Augar reported. Significant parts of the response are in the form of consultations. In a separate meeting we discussed national security with senior government advisors, who explained that this is likely to be of growing concern to government.

Reminder

Nominations for our next Chancellor close at the end of this month.

Nancy Rothwell, President and Vice-Chancellor

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