Campus News
Campus incident of 17 June: update
June 26th, 2019
Further to the recent instance of robbery on the University Park campus on 17 June, a 17-year old male has appeared in court (Monday 24 June) charged with two counts of robbery, two counts of wounding with intent, possession of a bladed article and fraud. A second 17 year old male has now been arrested on suspicion of the same offences.
Nottinghamshire Police and the University Security team are continuing to ensure this incident is investigated thoroughly.
Anyone who saw any of the incidents at University Park should call Nottinghamshire Police on 101, quoting incident number 35 of 17 June 2019.
The students who received injuries during the robbery have received hospital treatment and they and their families are continuing to receive full support from our student welfare teams. They are both keen to continue their studies and we will provide every assistance with this as they recuperate.
Campus security teams are continuing to support Nottinghamshire Police with their enquiries. Both the police and our campus security teams are mounting additional patrols to assure safety, and are reviewing lighting and CCTV provision in the area.
Staff and students should continue to take sensible precautions if studying or travelling around campus late at night, and follow our standard safety advice, in particular:
- walk with friends
- tell someone where you are
- keep to well-lit areas
- conceal any valuables on your person
Please be assured that our campus remains a safe place to study and the chances of becoming a victim of crime or anti-social behaviour are very low.
Tags: crime, incident, police, robbery, University Park
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REF2021 code of practice
June 25th, 2019
It is a requirement that every institution making a Research Excellence Framework (REF) submission needs to develop, document and apply a code of practice for REF2021, including:
- the fair and transparent identification of staff with significant responsibility for research where a higher education institute (HEI) is not submitting 100% of eligible staff
- determining who is an independent researcher
- the selection of research outputs, including approaches to supporting staff with circumstances
The University of Nottingham developed our REF code of practice through a consultative process and submitted it to Research England on Friday 7 June 2019.
The University has decided to return 100% of eligible Category A staff to REF2021 and therefore identification of staff with significant responsibility for research does not form part of our REF2021 code.
Read the University of Nottingham RE2021 Code of Practice
Invitations for voluntary declaration of personal circumstances will be sent out during the week commencing Monday 24 June 2019.
Tags: REF, research, Research Excellence Framework
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The Jubilee Campus Grounds Team carries out sustainable spring planting
June 24th, 2019
The Jubilee Campus Grounds Team have designed sustainable planting for small areas around the grounds that are usually left bare.
Jubilee campus is now 20 years old and was designed with sustainability in mind. The sustainable planting this spring was designed by Jubilee Grounds Team Leader, Matthew Gyles, and procurement of plants was carried out by Assistant Grounds Maintenance Manager, Lee Reed.
The new plants will attract insect pollinators, such as bees and pollen wasps, and will not require additional irrigation once they are established as they rely solely on rainwater. In addition to this, the plant bed has been mulched with material produced on campus, such as bark chips, to retain soil moisture, regulate soil temperature and suppress weed growth, therefore eliminating the need for chemical weed killers.
One of these areas can be found by Newark Hall car park, which is a challenging location for plants. The environment for plants in roadside beds can be harsh as they must tolerate exposure to salt from gritting in the winter, and in the summer months the surrounding concrete and tarmac retains heat, increasing an already high air temperature. A roadside bed surrounded by kerbs is also unlikely to receive any run off water due to the barrier created by the kerb, so will receive only the rain that falls directly onto the bed.
The height and spread of the plants are very important considerations for a bed near a road junction as ‘lines of sight’ need to be maintained. Important design considerations include seasonal colour and plants with a range of heights and spreads to give depth and variety to the plant bed.
The team chose a selection of coastal, drought-tolerant and pollinator-friendly plants such as Eryngium, otherwise known as Sea Holly, and Perovskia Blue Spire, or Russian Sage.
The full plant list and characteristics are listed below.
| Name | Drought tolerant | Coastal | Pollinator |
| Calamagrostis acutiflora | Yes | ||
| Echinops ritro | Yes | Yes | |
| Erigeron | Yes | Yes | |
| Eryngium variifolium | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Euphorbia characias | Yes | Yes | |
| Panicum virgatum | Yes | ||
| Perovskia Blue Spire | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Santolina chamaecyparissus | Yes | Yes | |
| Sedum spectabile | Yes | Yes | |
| Stachys byzantia | Yes | Yes |
The plants chosen are largely flowering perennials with grasses, Calamagrostis and Panicum, to give height and movement. These are all readily available at local nurseries and garden centres, so easily accessible to anyone with a dry, sunny flowerbed or a border requiring new plants.
Newark Hall plant bed before:
Newark Hall plant bed after:
For more information about the University’s grounds and gardens, visit https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/sustainability/grounds/groundsgardens.aspx.
Tags: Grounds team, Jubilee Campus, sustainability
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Agresso upgrade from Wednesday 26 June
June 24th, 2019
New dates agreed for finance system (Agresso) outage to commence on Wednesday 26 June 2019.
Information Services is working closely with Finance to deliver an upgrade to our finance system. There will be a period of enforced Agresso downtime from Wednesday 26 June 2019 until Monday 1 July 2019. The upgraded ‘Business World’ will then have a phased roll-out throughout the day on Monday 1 July 2019.
Action required: As this activity needs to occur across the month end period please ensure all in month activities receive a high focus and that Invoice processing, GRN’s and goods ordering are completed in a timely manner prior to the system outage on Wednesday 26 June.
The upgrade to Business World is intended to be like-for-like and will deliver some much needed improvements to usability and process; and a cleaner more modern look and feel. For more information about the upgrade, see our Digital Network blog.
Tags: Agresso, Business World, finance, Information Services
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PDPR Review — new Appraisal & Reward schemes published
June 24th, 2019
The final drafts of the new Appraisal & Development Conversations (ADC) and Nottingham Reward Scheme are published to staff today (Monday 24 June), as the reform of the former PDPR process nears its conclusion. Colleagues can view the documents on the HR Staff Consultation Hub.
The new appraisal and reward processes have been developed in partnership with staff, following contributions from more than 450 colleagues across the University via focus groups and with Trade Union colleagues.
PDPR will be replaced by the new Appraisal & Development Conversations (ADC) and a separate Nottingham Reward recognition scheme from 1 August 2019, with the key changes as follows:
Appraisal & Development Conversations (ADC)
- will align to the University year, with a framework that encourages regular discussion across the year, concluding with an annual review.
- will better clarify the link between University goals and individual objectives, as well as provide a focus for discussions around staff development, wellbeing, workload, and work-life balance.
- will not have a rating outcome, unlike the previous PDPR, and therefore no direct link to performance related reward.
Nottingham Reward Scheme
- will offer four levels of reward to reflect the different circumstances of performance excellence and staff contribution.
- will provide more flexibility as to when rewards can made and offer greater decision making at local level to recognise excellence in a timely manner.
- will be processed via the Employee Hub to provide greater transparency and reporting of rewards nominated and awarded throughout the year.
These significant changes aim to address extensive staff feedback that PDPR in its current form is not fit for purpose, in particular the difficulty in supporting staff development, reward and recognition through a single process, and the blunt instrument of the 3-point rating system.
Instead, the combination of the new ADC and Nottingham Reward processes should better support a year-round conversation to support performance, wellbeing and objectives, as well as rewarding excellence.
Next Steps
The Unions are in the final stages of their local processes and while these are taking place, we are taking the opportunity to share these documents, to enable staff to see the outcomes of the consultation.
Further detail and final documents will be will be supported by University-wide staff briefing sessions and communications during July 2019 where staff will also have the opportunity to ask any questions they may have.
The new guidelines and supporting resources will take effect from 1 August 2019 including new ADC training.
PDPR Rating outcomes and any associated performance related reward (Rating 1 and Rating 1PBs) identified in the 2018/19 PDPR cycle will be paid as normal in August 2019.
Objectives set for 2019/20 should be transferred to the new ADC forms once introduced in August, with the annual Appraisal and Development Conversations taking place between May and July 2020.
Tags: Appraisal & Development Conversations, Nottingham Reward Scheme, PDPR
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USS Pensions Update
June 20th, 2019
The University has indicated it would support a plan by the trustees of the USS pension to maintain the current defined benefits scheme, avoid far higher automatic increases for both members and employers scheduled for October, and allow time for the Joint Expert Panel to secure its long-term sustainability and restore confidence in its governance.
The plan, known as Option 3, is supported by more than three-quarters of institutions that offer the USS pension to staff and would cost the University an additional £10 million in annual employer contributions to the scheme.
If agreed, this would mean a fixed increase in contributions for scheme members from 8.8% to 9.6% of salary, and for employers from 19.5% to 21.1%.
The alternative would be to default to the automatic contribution increases scheduled for this October of 10.4% of salary for scheme members and 22.5% for employers; and again next April to as much as 11.4% of salary for scheme members and 24.2% of salary for employers.
A fresh valuation of the scheme would take place in 2020, informed by recommendations from the Joint Expert Panel of UUK and UCU appointees to secure its sustainability and improve its governance.
Correspondence from the University to Universities UK and the University & College Union states:
“Of the three options presented by the USS Trustee to settle the 2018 valuation, the University of Nottingham is minded – alongside 85% of employers in the scheme – to support Option 3, subject to further assurances and consultation on the detail underpinning it.
While none of the three options are wholly ideal for employers or scheme members, Option 3 is the pragmatic interim solution in that it:
- secures the defined benefit scheme with no changes to the current level of benefits for its members, at contribution costs limited to 21.1% of salary for employers and 9.6% of salary for members until at least the next scheme valuation;
- avoids the far higher and legally required contribution increases, scheduled to rise in October to 10.4% of salary for members and 22.5% of salary for employers; and again next April to as much as 11.4% of salary for members and 24.2% of salary for employers; and, critically,
- allows time for the Joint Expert Panel to consider and recommend much-needed longer-term reforms to the scheme – a position the University has supported throughout – for a new valuation in March 2020.
The University believes it is right to continue to follow established scheme rules in sharing costs between employers and the scheme members who will benefit from the pension.
The University continues to support the work of the Joint Expert Panel – there is little doubt at Nottingham that its expertise is required to secure the long-term sustainability of the scheme and restore confidence in its governance.
Our hope therefore remains that all parties can avoid the distraction and damage of industrial action, so that the Joint Expert Panel, Universities UK, University & College Union, the USS Trustee and the Pensions Regulator can – collectively – ensure the sustainability and affordability of the scheme in the interests of all of its members.”
Further information on the employer position is available at USS Employers and that of the union at University and College Union.
Tags: pensions, USS pension
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Vision magazine: celebrating our world-changing research
June 19th, 2019
What is Professor Sir Martyn Poliakoff’s favourite element? Need a clue? It also plays a part in research aiming to develop pocket-sized MRI scanners, developing resilient crops for the future and is an ingredient in a potential ancient cure for one of the greatest challenges of our time.
Find out about these and other world-leading discoveries in Vision, the University’s research and knowledge exchange magazine. The latest edition is available in print and online and is part of our celebration of the 150th anniversary of the periodic table of elements.
Vision features scores of stories about world-changing research from across the University, each linked to an element. Insights range from what silicon can tell us climate change and the role of iron in reducing antibiotics in farming to how researchers from across disciplines are helping secure a low-carbon future.
Find out more on the Vision website, where you can also subscribe to have Vision magazine delivered to your door or inbox.
Tags: esearch and knowledge exchange, periodic table of elements, Vision magazine
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Help out at summer graduation
June 19th, 2019
Student Services are in the process of organising July’s Graduation ceremonies and we’re asking for volunteers to help us run the events.
Graduation is a celebration of the student journey and it is a really enjoyable event to be involved with.
This coming July we have 21 ceremonies. Overall, we will need in excess of 1,000 hours of work to make it a success. If you’d like to join us then please check with your line manager and then complete the volunteer form.
It doesn’t matter if you’ve volunteered before or if this is the first time, we will provide support and briefing sessions to talk you through the day and the role you will play in it.
We would appreciate it if staff could confirm their availability by Thursday 20 June in order to give us time to put the rota together and share it in good time before the event.
It’s no exaggeration to say that we wouldn’t be able to run the event without the support of colleagues across the University who give up their time. Thank you.
If you have any questions, please contact us graduation@nottingham.ac.uk.
Tags: graduation, steward, summer graduation 2019
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Student views for the new University strategy
June 18th, 2019
We have had a great response to the consultation with students for the new University strategy: approximately 3,000 pieces of feedback were received from students through the online survey, our social media channels and the consultation stalls that were held across our campuses.
The feedback highlighted a number of future changes students would like to see at the University.
We enjoyed meeting students at the consultation stalls and we hope they found it useful to talk through and share their ideas with us. You can view the videos below to see just some of the ideas that we received.
The views of our students, staff and alumni all play an important part in the future of the University. We are currently working through the consultation phase for our new strategy and we plan to launch the new strategy towards the end of 2019.
If you have any questions regarding the new University strategy please email scu@nottingham.ac.uk.
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De Vere Orchard Hotel scores a hat-trick of wins at CHS Awards 2019
June 17th, 2019
Nottingham’s De Vere Orchard Hotel and East Midlands Conference Centre have collected three awards at the CHS Awards 2019:
- Best Sustainable/CSR Venue Practice Award
- Best Large Conference Space
- The Chairman’s Award
The CHS Awards provide hotels and venues from across the UK with a unique opportunity to showcase their facilities – allowing even the smallest independent venue to be recognised for an aspect, service or feature of their property or service. The awards are judged by an independent panel of over 50 event professionals from leading agencies throughout the UK.
Melissa Sobo, Director of Sales, De Vere Orchard Hotel and East Midlands Conference Centre said: “We are delighted to win three awards for our venue and it’s a particular honour to win The Chairman’s Award, which recognises the very best in our industry. Our Chef de Partie, Nathan Aylward was also a finalist in the Unsung Hero Award, another outstanding achievement for De Vere Orchard Hotel and East Midlands Conference Centre.”
The 2019 Awards ceremony took place in Leeds on Sunday 9 June. The Awards were organised in association with the CHS Group who deliver the annual Conference and Hospitality Show in Leeds. The judging panel consisted of over 50 agency event professionals. A full list of winners of the CHS Awards can be found at https://www.chsawards.co.uk/2019-finalists-winners/.
Tags: De Vere East Midlands Conference Centre and Orchard Hotel, De Vere Orchard Hotel, East Midlands Conference Centre, emcc
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