Campus News

The future of our UK estate – learn more and have your say

January 17th, 2020

Invitation from Andy Long, Provost and Deputy Vice-Chancellor

Following the publication of the new University Strategy at the end of 2019, we are preparing a Development Framework for the University’s UK estate. This will set out the principles for the development of our UK campuses over the next 20 years.

We’ve been working on this through 2019 and you are invited to comment on the proposals, share your ideas and thoughts. This is an important and far-reaching piece of work as it impacts our staff and student experience, our research, teaching and learning, the way the broader community interacts with our campuses, and our ambitions to be more sustainable.

We want as many of you as possible to explore and comment on our plans and are providing on-campus and online opportunities to do so.

Staff, students and stakeholders from across the wider community are welcome to view what has been done so far at exhibition spaces around the University, and to speak to those involved in developing the principles at a series of events.

The exhibitions will feature display boards and materials outlining proposals, ideas and setting out the aspirations and challenges we have developed. The displays will be in place for the whole week, with consultation events taking place at each venue where those interested in the plans can ask for more information and give their views.

  • Monday 20 to Friday 24 January, Jubilee Campus, Exchange Building Foyer
    Consultation session: Wednesday 22 January, 12noon – 7pm
  • Monday 27 to Friday 31 January, University Park, Portland Building adjacent to the Malone Atrium
    Consultation session: Wednesday 29 January, 12noon – 7pm
  • Monday 27 to Friday 31 January, Kings Meadow Campus, main café space
    Consultation session: Thursday 30 January, 12noon – 7pm
  • Monday 3 to Friday 7 February, Sutton Bonington, The Dining Hall, in the Barn
    Consultation session: Wednesday 5 February, 12noon – 7pm

Initial ideas can also be viewed and commented on online at www.nottingham.ac.uk/estates/development/edf.aspx, and there will also be comments forms at each event.

All comments are welcome, and should be emailed to edf@nottingham.ac.uk, or provided via the comments forms at each event.  The deadline for comments is Sunday 9 February 2020.

The events will be supported by both the University’s Estate Office as well as the consultant team, led by Gleeds and MCW Architects to develop the estate development framework.

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Change to release date for Autumn Semester marks

January 16th, 2020

Autumn Semester marks will be released to students on Thursday 20 February, and not on 13 February as previously advised.

This decision has been taken by the Campus Solutions Senior User Group to allow for some contingency time in marks processing, should it be required.

Students will be advised of this change over the coming fortnight through the student news site, student newsletter, MyNottingham app and social media.

Further information regarding marks processing and Exam Boards preparation can be viewed on Campus News.

Thank you for your continued support. If you have any questions please email sandra.mienczakowski@nottingham.ac.uk.

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STEMM-CHANGE: The Changemaker Placement Programme for Technicians – applications now open

January 14th, 2020

Applications to take part in the STEMM-CHANGE Changemaker Placement Programme for Technicians are now open.

The STEMM-CHANGE project is funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and aims to drive a positive change in culture and practices in equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) across Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Medicine (STEMM).

The project takes a team science approach and is unique in that it acknowledges the diversity of the roles of staff that contribute to the research effort.

STEMM-CHANGE is highlighting the equality, diversity and inclusion challenges facing technicians and designing and testing ways to address these challenges in order to advance EDI for all.

As part of the project, STEMM-CHANGE has developed an innovative and bespoke Changemaker Placement Programme, built specifically for technical colleagues from underrepresented and minority groups.

The programme will offer up to 30 placements, between 1-5 days in length, over a period of months (on a flexible basis) to technicians from across the consortium to enable them to shadow senior colleagues.

Activities include observing colleagues in leadership positions, learning new skills (both technical and transferable) and exposure to discussions on careers and opportunities in order to broaden horizons and demonstrate achievable career paths.

Technical colleagues can shadow and link with other technical staff or those from other career paths in senior leadership positions from our project partners within higher education, industry and beyond.

In 2019, the STEMM-CHANGE project piloted a number of placements and would now like to extend the opportunity to technical colleagues across the consortium.

Applications are welcome from technical colleagues at any level and discipline and who are from an underrepresented and/or minority group.

The project aims to create opportunities for all minority groups and see a particular need to create spaces for the following consistently underrepresented groups within technical management and leadership teams:

• Female colleagues
• Disabled colleagues
• Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) colleagues
• Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT+) colleagues

Applications to take part in the scheme are now open. Further details are available in the Changemaker Placement Programme flyer and application forms can be found here.

Applications should be returned to the STEMM-CHANGE team no later than 5pm on Monday 2 March 2020.

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Vice-Chancellor’s Mentoring Scheme: Applications open

January 13th, 2020

As discussed in the Vice-Chancellor’s Blog earlier this month, the VC is launching her mentoring programme for 2020.

You can apply now by completing this form (O365 login required). The deadline for applications is Friday 21 February.

The programme is open to staff who have aspirations or ambitions for senior leadership roles within or outside the University. Applications are invited from level 6 and 7 staff with protected characteristics, such as BME, disabled and LGBT+ communities in both academic and professional service roles.

Considerations will be given to staff who are under-represented in their professional field for reasons such as gender.

Find out more about the mentoring scheme on the LMA Hub, or contact Leadership and Management Director Carol Steed for an informal conversation.

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Reverse Mentoring Programme for STEMM Staff

January 13th, 2020

The University is running another Reverse Mentoring programme, this time specifically for STEMM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Medicine) staff.

This is part of the EPSRC funded STEMM-CHANGE project. The programme is led by Stacy Johnson, School of Health Sciences and supported by Lucy Williams, Project Officer.

What is reverse mentoring?
Reverse mentoring is when a person in a senior position (the reverse mentee) is mentored by someone in a more junior position to themselves (the reverse mentor).

In this case, we will be pairing up UoN staff in STEMM disciplines who have protected characteristics or under-represented differences with senior staff. These include:

  • LGBTQ staff
  • Staff with disabilities
  • BAME staff
  • Women
  • People with caring responsibilities
  • People with flexible work patterns

The aim is to give a senior member of staff insight into what it is like to be someone working in a STEMM subject in Higher Education with an under-represented difference. The programme provides an opportunity for staff to engage in honest, open and respectful conversations about the experiences of people with a range of social characteristics and identities, the opportunities that diversity offers and the barriers that staff with protected characteristics can face in STEMM subjects.

How is the programme structured and what support is available?
Starting in March 2020, the reverse mentoring relationship will last for six months. Reverse mentors will have the opportunity to attend a half-day training course and reverse mentees will attend a 90-minute preparation session.

The time that reverse mentors and reverse mentees spend with each other will be agreed by each pair, but it is anticipated that you will meet for one hour per month. Reverse mentors will have access to optional, monthly peer support sessions, while reverse mentors and mentees will have 90-minute facilitated reflective practice sessions 3 months into the relationship and at the end of the six-month programme.

How do I become a reverse mentor?
Any member of staff who identifies as being from an under-represented group (as above) can be a reverse mentor if they are willing to share their experiences with someone who is different to themselves.

Find more information about being a reverse mentor and sign up

How do I become a reverse mentee?
Any senior member of staff who believes they would benefit from being reverse mentored by a junior staff member who is different to them can sign up to become a reverse mentee. Reverse mentoring could help in your role as a leader in the University and contribute to removing barriers to inclusion and delivering the University’s EDI efforts.

Find more information about becoming a reverse mentee and sign up to be allocated a junior colleague to be your reverse mentor

Next steps
If you would like to be a reverse mentor or mentee, you will need to sign up to the programme via the links above. The deadline for applications is 5pm on Monday 3 February 2020.

Preparation and training will be provided for both mentors and mentees.

Before applying, please make sure you are free on one of the following days:

For mentors:
Friday 21 February: 10am-2pm, B7, Hemsley, University Park

Friday 28 February: 10am-2pm, B23, Pope Building, University Park

For mentees:
Monday 24 February: 10.30am – 12pm, B7, Hemsley, University Park

Friday 28 February: 2.30pm – 4pm, A22, Pope Building, University Park

Tuesday 3 March: 10.30am – 12pm, B4, Trent Building, University Park

For more information about reverse mentoring please contact Inclusion Matters Project Officer, Lucy Williams

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Marks processing and exam boards preparation

January 10th, 2020

In January, colleagues in the UK will be using Campus Solutions to manage marks processing and Exam Board activities for the first time, following successful implementation in Malaysia since 2017.

During January and February, academic colleagues will complete Campus Solutions marksheets and be able to view outputs in the form of Exam Board reports.

Functional and technical rehearsal
To assure the system and provide reassurance to colleagues on this critical application, a functional and technical rehearsal has been running since November 2019 and will conclude at the end of this month.

The rehearsal has been using real 2019/20 curriculum, student and module enrolment information alongside dummy marks were created for 2019/20 modules to confirm that processing completes successfully and identify any system issues for resolution.

The first part of the rehearsal has focussed on generating marksheets, uploading marks into Campus Solutions, running calculations to create overall module marks from elements and validating these results.

Exam Boards User Group
The Exam Boards User Group consists of representatives from all faculties that act as a sounding board and give input and feedback into the Exam Boards process. The first meeting was held in December and this group will meet again on Wednesday 15 January to work on areas that have been raised for consideration.

Marksheets
Marksheet completion guidelines are now available which replace the previous Saturn marksheets ‘Do’s and Don’ts’. An FAQ document will also be published in due course.

Marksheets for Semester 1 were circulated to academic colleagues on 16 December 2019 to enable them to check weightings of elements as these have been generated from curriculum data currently in Campus Solutions.

Faculty briefings
A briefing session was held for the Faculty of Science on 11 December 2019.  This briefing looked at the marksheets and Exam Board outputs for interim boards at the end of Semester 1 and the group will meet again in March to prepare for full exam boards in the summer.

A meeting has been arranged for Faculty of Social Sciences for 21 January. The Schools of Medicine and Education have final exam boards over the next couple of months and meetings are taking place with these schools to prepare for those boards.

Further briefing notes and facilitated sessions to prepare for interim exam boards will soon be offered to all faculties and schools.

Release of Semester 1 marks
The senior Campus Solutions User Group has agreed that marks will be released to students on 20 February, rather than 13 February as previously advised, to allow for contingency in the process.  Students will soon be advised of this change.

Key dates

  • Circulation of mark sheets for Semester 1 – 16 December 2019
  • Circulation of resit mark sheets for Semester 1 – W/C 13 January 2020
  • Facilitated preparation sessions – As organised with individual faculties
  • January exam period – 13-25 January 2020
  • Deadline for submission of marks – 12 February 2020
  • Exam boards – Locally arranged
  • Publication of Semester 1 results – 20 February 2020
  • Publication of award outcomes (Medicine/Education) – BlueCastle switch-on planned for 20 February 2020

Help and support

For questions regarding completing marksheets please contact the Student Services assessment team:

If you have any questions regarding Exam Boards, User Groups or arranging briefings please email sandra.mienczakowski@nottingham.ac.uk

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New Director of Libraries announced

January 9th, 2020

Sue Ackermann has been appointed as the new Director of University of Nottingham Libraries.

Sue has been Acting Director of Libraries since February 2019 and has held a senior leadership role in libraries for the past five years. Prior to this she worked at a range of organisations, including Health Education England, University of Leicester, Department for Education, Royal College of Surgeons and Ofsted.

During her time at the University Sue has led on a number of areas for libraries; including Research and Learning Services, Strategy and Planning, improving staff and student engagement and overseeing the implementation of a new library management system.

Registrar Dr Paul Greatrix said: “Sue’s work in the department as acting Director and in her previous roles has been exemplary and I’m delighted she’s taking on the role permanently. Our libraries are a key element of staff and student life, and I look forward to seeing them go from strength to strength under Sue’s leadership.”

Sue said: “I’m absolutely delighted to take on the role of Director of UoN Libraries – it’s a real privilege to lead a department which is so central to so much of University life.

“The Library already has an excellent reputation, but we are ambitious to be the best we can be. I am fortunate to have a fantastically talented team of people in place already and I look forward to working with colleagues across the university as we continue to evolve our services to better meet the needs of students, academics and our Professional Services teams.”

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Training courses for APM research staff

January 9th, 2020

The Research and Innovation department has created a new specialised, tailored series of training courses for APM staff working in the research environment.

From February 2020, a number of short courses will be launched – aimed at research support staff, project administrators and managers working in the research environment across the University.

The programme is designed to support the induction of new staff and provide training to existing staff in topics across the research lifecycle.

Modules on offer for 2020 can be booked via the professional development short courses pages:

For any queries regarding the courses, please email the Research Development team at BB-RTPWorkshops@nottingham.ac.uk

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Identifying and responding to students in difficulty: a guide for staff

January 8th, 2020

A new guide for staff on identifying and responding to students in difficulty has been launched this week, and is now available online.

‘Identifying and responding to students in difficulty: a guide for staff‘ covers responses to requests for help, role-related responsibilities towards students, referrals, responding to complex situations, urgent situations, confidentiality and specialist services.

Hard copies of the guide will be distributed this coming week to departments with student-facing roles, including Student Service Centres, faculties, libraries and sports facilities.

Hard copies for the guide can be requested from miriam.colombi@nottingham.ac.uk

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The VC’s blog – A new year and a new term

January 8th, 2020

Vice-Chancellor Professor Shearer West welcomes the new term and looks ahead to a new HE policy landscape, discusses the challenges of Brexit and highlights national and local discussions on pensions, pay and working conditions.

Read the blog here.

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