4 March 2011
Important updates
Email problems
Further to last week's problems, the emergency email server is still in place for the purpose of sending and receiving emails. BUCS are running to schedule and at 5pm today (Friday 4 March), the emergency server will be taken off line. By 9am on Saturday 5 March an interim server will be brought back online containing all recovered emails, in their folders, up to Sunday 20 February. And all emails from lunchtime Thursday 24 February onwards. It may be impossible to retrieve some emails between Sunday and Thursday. A vote of sincere thanks to all the BUCS staff who have given up their nights and weekends to return as much of the service as possible in a quick timeframe.
USS pensions
A meeting of the University Superannuation Scheme (USS) Joint Negotiating Committee took place on 2 March 2011 to decide upon proposed changes to the USS pension scheme. The changes, once agreed, are due to be implemented on 1 April 2011. Further update to follow.
Managed print service
During 2011, we will continue to roll out our new managed print service to improve the efficiency, cost-effectiveness and environmental impact of our printing. It is anticipated that this will save the University around £250,000 per year in printing costs. Thank you for your cooperation in this money-saving drive.
Upgrading the University’s HR & payroll systems
The University is in the process of upgrading its HR and payroll systems. The Trent-6 system currently used is coming to the end of its life – the new upgrade will provide better functionality for managers and staff. Professor Jane Millar is chairing the project board.
Fees & Access Working Group
As reported in the last update from the Fees & Access Working Group (FAWG), a number of principles for fee setting and access have been drafted. These have already been considered by Executive Committee and Senate, and by the University Council yesterday (3 March 2011). Further information to follow shortly.
Other info
Your survey – Your say
From 14 March the University will be carrying out a staff survey to give you a chance to have your say on the issues that affect you in the workplace. The survey contains mainly multiple choice questions but there will also be opportunity to list three good things about working at the Uni and three things that could be improved. Thinking hats on!
Closure of the 25m pool
The University has reluctantly decided to close the 25m swimming pool permanently following a report that found it was unsafe for use.
Vouchers wanted
Please collect Sainsbury's Active Kids and Tesco for Schools and Clubs vouchers, and send them to the Westwood Nursery. Thank you very much.
Jobs
Vacant posts: www.bath.ac.uk/jobs/
Learning & Teaching
Comments invited:
- Revision of QA53 examination & assessment offences by 7 April 2011
Comments are now invited on the draft revision of QA53 examination and assessment offences intended to apply from 1 October 2011. - QA16 marking, moderation and feedback to students by 14 April 2011
Comments are also now invited on the draft revision of QA16 marking, moderation and feedback to students (proposed for implementation in 2011/12).
Launch of new course for probationary lecturers
A new course for probationary lecturers and teaching fellows has been launched this week. Tailored specifically to meet the needs of new staff at the University, it covers both teaching and research management aspects of academic practice.
FLC organises language training for B&NES primary school teachers
In response to the initiative of Bath & North East Somerset Council to introduce languages to the region's primary schools, the Foreign Languages Centre is running six-week up-skilling courses in French, allowing primary school teachers to brush up their confidence and knowledge of the language.
Support for students affected by global events
Lecturers: If you have an international student that is struggling because of the current political protests in the Middle East, please be aware of the support they can access. Support is also available for international staff.
Research
Eating regular carbohydrates helps athletes to recover quicker
A review by James Betts (Health) has found that eating carbohydrates regularly is the best way to recover after exercise.
Weighting of research impact confirmed for REF 2014
The four UK higher education funding bodies have today announced how they will recognise and reward excellent research that has led to wider social and economic benefits. The publication, 'Decisions on assessing research impact', confirms how much weighting the assessment of research impacts will have in the 2014 Research Excellence Framework (REF).
EPSRC visit - 23 March - CANCELLED
Please note this event has been cancelled. We will announce the new date in due course.
In the media
www.bath.ac.uk/news/bathinpapers/
- Yukteshwar Kumar (ESML) wrote an article about fighting corruption through the internet for the New Indian Express.
- BBC Radio Somerset interviewed James Copestake (Social & Policy Sciences) about proposed government changes to the distribution of UK aid in developing countries [listen again 00:04:28]
- Alistair Hunt (Economics) has been quoted on many French websites, including Le Figaro, talking about the health impacts in economic terms of air pollution in European cities.
- Physics World visited the Careers Advisory Centre to find out what careers offices can and can not do for physics graduates.
Alumni in the media
- Dr Tristian Stobie (Doctor of Education, 2006) was featured in the Times Education Supplement because he has been appointed to a prestigious post at Cambridge International Examinations.
- Caroline O’Brien (MBA, 2003) has been appointed to as Chief Commercial Officer at HiWave Technologies plc. Yahoo Finance
- Philip Shaw (BSc (Hons) Economics, 1983 ) will be looking back over the first year of the UK’s coalition government at a breakfast briefing later this month. Isle of Guernsey News
- Stephen Leather (BSc(Hons) Biochemistry, 1978) was featured in The Guardian after establishing an ebook career that has rocketed him to the top of the Kindle bestseller lists.
- Dr Phil Koczan (MSc Healthcare Informatics, 2008) has become a member of the Evolve® Clinical Reference Group (CRG), which provides software and business development teams with independent advisory input from senior practising healthcare professionals.
Work perks
No Smoking Day - Wednesday 9 March
Are you trying to give up smoking? Let us help you. On Wednesday 9 March, the Uni is running a 'No Smoking Day'. Stop Smoking advisers will be on hand to offer encouragement with leaflets and freebies. An exhibition will be mounted in the Library foyer and, weather permitting, there'll be a marquee on the Parade. See you there from 11am till 2.30pm. For more details: A.Chapman@bath.ac.uk
Spring into Fitness with STV's March offer
Thnroughout March the STV are offering a three-month membership with no joining fee. There are additional concessions if you are a member of staff.
Eastwood Woodland Nature Trail now open!
The Landscape Section has been working extremely hard over the past five weeks to create a new nature trail behind the Eastwood residences. As the warmer weather approaches, why not venture up and take a look on your lunch break!
Childcare vouchers - important changes for higher rate tax payers
As you may be aware, last year, the Government confirmed that instead of withdrawing Employer Supported Childcare, they would retain the tax relief at the basic rate of tax from April 2011. This change is being introduced to ensure that the tax savings available to you are similar regardless of the rate at which you pay tax.
Learn Spanish in Alicante – free of charge Deadline 1 April 2011
Under the Cooperation Agreement between the Universities of Bath and Alicante, members of staff can attend intensive Spanish language courses free of charge, with free bed & breakfast accommodation.
- WW1 Remembrance & Reflection trip 25-28 March
- Thorpe Park Saturday 25 June
- University of Bath Gardening Society talk - Dan Hinkley, American gardener & plant explorer - Thursday 17 March, 7.30pm, 8W 2.1.
Organic fruit & veg box scheme on campus
Small (£7.50) and large (£10) boxes of organic produce can be ordered from the SU shop. Order by Monday night and your box will be delivered to the Chaplaincy on Thursday for you to collect.
Nominations & bids
Learning & Teaching Awards Deadline - 11 March
Nominations are now open for the University of Bath Teaching Awards, which encourage and recognise significant contributions by staff to the academic lives of students.
Chancellor's Prize Deadline - 21 April
If you are teaching an outstanding final year undergraduate student, you may want to nominate them for the Chancellor's Prize.
Training & development
- Mentoring workshop for women in SET - Thursday 10 March
- Training for the occasional trainer - Thursday 10 March
- Performance Review - Conducting an effective review (support staff) - Friday 11 March
- Mental health first aid - Two-day course - Friday 11 & Friday 18 March | Friday 13 & 20 May
- KTA seminar: Practical networking Tuesday 29 March
- IT skills
- Staff development
- e-Learning courses
- Training opportunities for researchers
Dates for your diary
Equality Forum 2011 - The inclusive university Wednesday 30 March
A joint Equality Forum taking place at Claverton campus, co-sponsored by the Universities of Bath and Bath Spa.
The morning panel session will consist of an informative, lively debate on the inclusive university. The afternoon will consist of facilitated workshops on aspects of the inclusive environment.
Global Future 2011 4-8 April
Global Future 2011 is a series of events to be held week commencing Monday 4 April 2011, run by University of Bath students and staff to encourage people to act to protect our future. The aim is to provide people with a glimpse of how lives are going to be affected by sustainability issues and to inspire people to embrace these changes. Will you help to organise and run the events happening throughout the week? Please contact Mark Colling or Sally Lampkin.
Innovations Day Thursday 12 May
Dai Hounsell, Vice Principal for Academic Enhancement at the University of Edinburgh, will be this year’s keynote speaker at the Annual Learning & Teaching Seminar.
Lectures & seminars
The tale of the tulip | Wednesday 9 March
A lecture entitled 'The tale of the tulip' will be a blockbuster of garden history and brings the story of the mysterious flower to life – power, passion and petals!
Clutching at random straws | Wednesday 16 March
‘Stand-up mathematician’ Matt Parker, who says his life goal is to make people more excited about maths, will take to the stage to deliver the annual Bath Taps into Science lecture.
Green Science Talk | Wednesday 16 March
Saiful Islam (Chemistry) will be giving a free talk (with 3D specs!) entitled: 'Watts new with clean energy materials?
- batteries included' at the
Bath Royal Literary & Science Institution (BRLSI),
16-18 Queen Sq. (Joint RSC / IoP / IoM event)
Seamus Heaney - Human Chain | Wednesday 23 March
David Skidmore (Education) will lead a discussion at the BRLSI about Seamus Heaney's latest collection of poetry, which has received critical acclaim from many prominent reviewers.
What's on
www.bath.ac.uk/whats-on
Monday 7 March
19:30 PM Buddha, brain, book
19:30 PM Tying & tattingTuesday 8 March
12:45 PM Oxfam Lunch
16:30 PM Zero-carbon Britain 2030: A comprehensive decarbonisation scenario
19:30 PM Elliot Carter - Eurocentric composer or American modernist?
Wednesday 9 March
12:15 PM Ash Wednesday service
19:30 PM The protection of Palestinian children
Thursday 10 March
12:15 PM Mentoring workshop
12:30 PM Lunchtime workshop - Refreshing course design for learning enhancement
19:30 PM Domuztepe - Neolithic site in southern Turkey
Friday 11 March
12:15 PM Mindfulness meditation
Saturday 12 March
10:00 AM Workshop: Comic book art
14:00 PM How can I turn my passion into a business that changes the world?
19:00 PM Exploring the dynamic universe
19:30 PM Bryony Kimmings - Sex idiot
Sunday 13 March
10:00 AM Workshop: The life of a digital image
Arts
www.bath.ac.uk/icia
Concerts & performances:
-
National Theatre Connections at ICIA Those Legs by Noel Clarke | ICIA Arts Theatre | Saturday 5 March 3pm & 7.30pm and Sunday 6 March, 5pm
Those Legs is an intense, psychological drama that presents the precarious nature of friendship and young love in startling close-up. Presented by ICIA as part of National Theatre Connections, a nationwide celebration of young theatre talent.
Exhibitions:
- Swindon College Lines of Enquiry 7 | ICIA Art Space 1 | Until Friday 18 March
The seventh in a series showing work by graduates of the BA Fine Art Drawing at Swindon College’s School of Art & Design. - University of Bath & Photosoc Photography Exhibition | ICIA Art Space 3, University Hall Foyer | Wednesday 9 March - Thursday 21 April, Mon-Sat 10am-5pm
A chance to see the winning entries and runners-up from the University’s competition. Categories include landscape, documentary and portraiture, plus an overall staff winner. Winners announced at the reception on Wednesday 9 March at 6.30pm.
Sport
Student's rugby try helps England Students secure victory
Sam Miller (French & International Politics) helped England Students rugby union team to a narrow 25-23 victory over a France Universities. The winger rounded his man to touch down in the corner following a seventh minute line-out.
Bath graduate Mhairi Spence wins silver at World Cup
Mhairi Spence (Coach Education & Sport Development graduate) made a stunning start to the modern pentathlon season by winning silver at the opening World Cup of the year in Palm Springs, the USA last Saturday. She captured the second World Cup medal of her career in a performance that was only bettered by Amelie Caze, France’s three-times world champion.
Amy Williams talks to Sportsvibe
Bath’s skeleton golden girl Amy Williams recently celebrated one-year since winning her gold medal at the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games. She spoke to the website sportsvibe.co.uk, telling them how she got into skeleton, about that amazing victory and what she has doing since Vancouver.
Dancing on Ice stars come to TeamBath
Stars from ITV’s hit show Dancing on Ice headed west to take part in a rhythmic gymnastics training session at TeamBath. Former EastEnder Sam Attwater and his pro-skating dance partner, Brianne Delcourt, joined a Great Britain Group training session at the Sports Training Village.
Bath Half Marathon
Good luck to staff running the Bath Half Marathon for charity
Let's hope the weather is good on Sunday!