Campus News
Moodle down from Thursday 7 September to Friday 8 September
September 4th, 2017
Moodle will be completely unavailable from 8am Thursday 7 September to 6pm Friday 8 September. During this downtime, we will be upgrading Moodle to version 3.2.
There will not be a revision-only version during this time. We recommend that colleagues and students download anything they may need prior to the downtime.
Please note that Rogo is unaffected by this downtime.
Why are we updating the system?
This system update includes security patches which we want in place for the start of term.
The latest version also has some additional features and improvements. The changes include:
- MyHome is renamed ‘Dashboard’ and will be quicker to use
- Improvements to the editor
- A new ‘recycle bin’ so you can restore deleted content to your module if you change your mind
Why are we upgrading the system in September?
We understand that teaching starts around this time for some courses and that the proximity to the start of session may make this upgrade more disruptive than a summer downtime would be. Ordinarily we would aim to do this update in July. However, this year, we needed to schedule an additional session of downtime to implement the integration with Campus Solutions in UNNC. We hope to return to the earlier timeframe for future updates.
All Module Convenors who have assignment deadlines during this time have been notified and students contacted as appropriate.
If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact us at learning-technologies@nottingham.ac.uk.
Thank you for your continued support as we update our systems.
Tags: downtime, elearning, moodle, moodle upgrade, september 2017
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LRLR Research into Academic Engagement
September 4th, 2017
In Libraries, Research and Learning Resources (LRLR), we are taking a fresh look at how we engage with the academic community. As valued partners, we want to know how we can best support and work with academic staff at the University of Nottingham.
Tell us what you think
The first stage of this work involves a survey which all academic staff at the University are invited to complete.
The survey focuses on how academic staff access and use library resources and services, how library messages are communicated and general perceptions and expectations of LRLR. This information will help us to improve how we communicate with and support academics.
The research will build upon insights from the Professional Services Quality Survey (PSQS), providing the information we need to inform and enhance the visibility, accessibility and provision of our services.
The survey should take up to 15 minutes to complete.
All data collected in this survey will remain anonymous, although we do intend to explore the results according to Faculty, School/Department, job level and job family, where appropriate.
Click here to fill out the survey.
Next steps
When the survey closes on Friday 29 September 2017 we will move into the second phase of the research, which will explore options for future engagement with the academic community, via a series of semi-structured interviews. There will be an option at the end of the survey to volunteer to take part in this stage of the research. As with the survey, any data collected through the interviews will remain anonymous and we will ensure that individuals are not identifiable in the final report.
This research will lead to a report with a set of recommendations for how LRLR can better engage and work with academic staff at the University of Nottingham. The final report will be made available to participants.
Please note, services delivered by the Learning Technology Section within LRLR (e.g. Moodle) are not in the scope of this research.
Tags: academic, academic engagement, academic staff, Libraries Research and Learning Resources, library resources, LRLR
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Celebrate Black History Month 2017
September 4th, 2017
The University of Nottingham is set to celebrate Black History Month 2017 — with music, discussions, a major new conference and more.
Throughout October 2017, the University will run a variety of exciting events with a focus on Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) culture, history and people.
Exploring BME culture and history
This year’s Black History Month programme includes a number of live events, followed by our first ever Race Equality conference — an exciting new calendar event for 2017, taking place in collaboration with the University of Birmingham.
Black History Month offers the opportunity to reflect on the history and achievements of BME communities and 2017 marks the fifth year of the University of Nottingham’s annual Black History Month celebrations. Our programme of events is part of national celebrations that take place throughout October, with this year marking the 30th anniversary of Black History Month in the UK.
The UoN Black History Month 2017 schedule is as follows:
- Historians Against Slavery Conference
Saturday 7 October – Sunday 8 October
Join Historians Against Slavery (HAS) as it holds its biennial conference outside of the United States for the first time, at the International Slavery Museum (ISM) in Liverpool. This two-day conference will mark the 10th Anniversary of the ISM as well as Black History Month 2017. - Dreadlocks Story: Film screening and discussion
7:30pm, Monday 9 October
Dreadlocks Story director Linda Aïnouche holds a film screening and discussion about the bonds of the survival of African and Indian culture in Jamaica in view of upfront anti-slavery and anti-imperialist struggles.
- ‘How the South Won the American Civil War…. and Why the United States is Still Fighting It’
6:00pm, Tuesday 10 October
Professor John Stauffer, Harvard University, presents the Distinguished Annual American Studies lecture from the University of Nottingham’s Department of American and Canadian Studies during Black History Month 2017. This lecture outlines how the effects of the American civil war continued beyond 1865 – and still continue to affect race relations today. - Black History Month Celebration: A live music performance
8:00pm, Saturday 14 October
Live music and performances from three singer/songwriters — plus music from a DJ. - Digging Deeper: Unearthing Narratives of Black British Coal Miners
12.00pm – 1.30pm, Tuesday 17 October
Historian and author Norma Gregory presents an illustrated narrative on the struggles and experiences of African Caribbean coal miners from across the UK. A buffet lunch will be provided.
To follow our Black History Month 2017 programme, we are delighted to announce our first race equality conference, ‘Race Equality in Higher Education: What’s it got to do with you?‘, hosted in partnership with the University of Birmingham. This free conference is open to students and staff from both Universities.
The conference aims to:
- Increase organisational understanding of issues of race inequality in Higher Education
- Spark debate and conversation about the impact of these issues on staff and students at our organisations
- Set out how the Race Equality Charter can provide a framework for addressing these issues in a structured way
The conference will take place 10:15am – 3:30pm, Monday 30 October at the Nicolson Building, University of Birmingham, B15 2RT. Free transport to the venue will be arranged for Nottingham delegates.
There will also be several other events taking place at the University as part of Black History Month 2017. For full listings, please visit the University’s Events page.
Speaking about Black History Month 2017, Val Watson, Chair of the University’s BME Staff Network, said:
“We are pleased to once again be involved with Black History Month, celebrating the culture and history of BME communities at the University of Nottingham and beyond.
“We have a great line up of events planned this year, from live music by talented local artists, to exceptional talks by some fantastic speakers and presenters.
“We welcome staff and students to come along and experience these fantastic and thought-provoking celebrations.”
Get involved:
To find out more about the University’s Black History Month programme and Race Equality Conference please email the People and Culture team.
For further updates on these events please subscribe to the People and Culture blog or visit the University’s Event listings.
Tags: bame, bhm, black history, Black History Month, black history month 2017, BME, equality, equality and diversity, people and culture, Val Watson
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New programmes from the Leadership and Management Academy open for applications
September 4th, 2017
We’re pleased to announce that applications are now open for the next intakes of two of our Leadership and Management Academy programmes: The Coaching Programme and the Strategic Leaders Programme.
What are these two programmes about?
The Coaching Programme
If you want to develop your skills as a coach and support your colleagues through our internal coach pool, our Coaching Programme can open that door for you.
The Coaching Programme will give you the opportunity to develop your coaching skills and work towards an ILM level 5 qualification in coaching.
This programme enables you to develop your skills as a coach through a practical, hands on programme of learning. You’ll be guided through what coaching is all about, learning the tips, tricks and skills you need to be a great coach. You’ll also get the opportunity to put your new skills into practice with colleagues who are looking for coaching support.
Anyone can apply to join this programme, but you need to be aware that we’ll be looking for your continued support as a coach in our internal coach pool following your completion of this qualification.
The deadline for applications for this programme is Friday 29 September. Find out more/apply.
The Strategic Leaders Programme
If you’re leading at a strategic level, and want to develop your leadership skills further, the Strategic Leaders Programme is designed for you.
This programme is all about broadening your horizons as a strategic leader. As well as considering the challenges and issues that our University is facing, you’ll get the opportunity to consider the wider sector, policy and global challenges that are shaping our present and future environment.
In broad terms, this programme will be right for you if you are operating in a strategic cross-University role, probably at L7 or potentially L6. This programme is designed for staff from all job families at these levels.
Delegates on the current cohort have told us that: “The Strategic Leaders Programme has given me time and space to reflect in my leadership.” and “It has provided an opportunity to meet peers from a range of University contexts in a safe but challenging space – providing an opportunity to work with them and learn from them.”
This programme combines blended learning, personal diagnostics, 1 to 1 executive coaching, the application of learning in practice through a work based project, and the opportunity to learn with your peers from across different areas of the University.
The deadline for applications for this programme is Monday 30 October. Find out more/apply.
Learn more:
You can also find out more about these programmes by visiting the LMA Hub on Moodle, or by contacting a member of the Leadership and Management Team.
There’s a raft of on-line learning resources available for all staff to access on the Learning and Resources page of the LMA Hub. From change management and emotional intelligence to personal impact and managing stress, there’s a range of topics to choose from. You can also discover more about what’s available from the Leadership and Management Academy by downloading the prospectus. If you’d prefer a hard copy, please email a member of the LMA team.
Tags: career development, coaching, leadership and management, Leadership and Management Academy, LMA, lma hub, moodle, strategic leader, training
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A52 Dunkirk to QMC cycle route improvements — have your say
September 1st, 2017
Highways England is looking for feedback to help improve the A52 Dunkirk to Queens Medical centre (west side) cycle route.
An online feedback tool has been launched on the HighWays England website. This tool allows you to voice your views about how the cycle and pedestrian path can be made easier for cyclists and pedestrians to use.
If you’d like to provide your view on how the route can be improved, it will help Highways England gain valuable insight that will help inform its design.
The feedback tool can be found here. The deadline to add your comments is Thursday 30 November.
Tags: commute, commuting, cycle, cycle path, cycling, Dunkirk, highways england, path, QMC
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Macmillan fundraising at Jubilee campus
September 1st, 2017
Several events are taking place at Jubliee campus this month to help raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support.
If you’d like to lend your support, there are a number of opportunities to get involved:
Donate equipment and cakes for Wellbeing Cafés
The Jubilee Welfare Team are arranging Pop up Wellbeing Cafés for students on Tuesday 26 September and Wednesday 27 September.
These cafés are aimed at building community and getting students from different nationalities to talk to each other and hopefully start building friendships across cultures.
Sale of tea and cake during the day will also help raise money for Macmillan. The Welfare Team are on the search for traditional-style teacups that could be donated or loaned for use in this event – as well as other equipment such as cake stands, tea cosies or sugar bowls. The team would also be delighted if any keen bakers would be willing to donate cakes, cookies or biscuits which could be sold at the cafés.
For more information please email Cherie Murray.
Take part in the World’s Biggest Coffee Morning
Staff can take part at this annual event on Friday 29 September as a volunteer or as a visitor.
The coffee morning will be held in the Foyer, Exchange Building throughout the day, with visitors welcomed to take a seat and purchase a beverage and/or a snack. It’s a great excuse to meet new colleagues, make friends and hear their stories — all whilst raising money for charity.
Volunteers are also needed in various roles during the day — from helping run the stall to baking and donating treats.
For more information please email Cherie Murray.
Support Rachel’s fundraising as she ‘Braves the Shave’
Our colleague Rachel Edwards, Student Service Assistant at Jubilee campus, has volunteered to shave off her hair on Friday 29 September to help raise funds for Macmillan!
If you’d like to support her with a donation, please visit her fundraising page.
Tags: Cancer, cancer support, coffee morning, exchange building, fundraising, Jubilee, Macmillan, the exchange
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Progress on pay award — update from HR
August 25th, 2017
The University of Nottingham undertakes our annual pay negotiations via national collective bargaining for UCU represented staff groups and through local pay negotiations for staff groups represented by UNISON and UNITE.
Staff in the Research & Teaching job family and staff in levels 4 and above of the Administrative, Professional and Managerial (APM) job family
Staff in these job families are represented by UCU in the national pay negotiation process, which has now concluded for 2017-18. UCU members nationally voted in favour of accepting the pay offer. We are pleased to confirm therefore that we will be able to implement the 2017 pay award for UCU represented staff groups (the R&T job family and APM job family at levels 4 and above) in August 2017’s payroll.
An increase of 1.7% will apply with effect from 1 August 2017 on all pay spine points for these staff groups. The pay spine points reflecting this increase will be updated on the website in due course.
Staff in the Technical Services job family, the Childcare Services job family, the Operations & Facilities (O&F) job family and levels 1 to 3 of the Administrative, Professional & Managerial (APM) Job Family
The University met with UNISON and UNITE to present the 2017 local pay offer early this summer. UNISON are currently balloting their members in relation to the 2017 pay offer, and as part of the joint local negotiation process UNITE will be waiting until UNISON’s ballot has closed before confirming the outcome of their local ballot.
As the outcome of these ballots are not yet known the University is not in a position to apply the pay award for these staff groups at this time. Once the outcome of the ballots are known we will work to ensure the pay award for these staff groups can be implemented with minimum delay. The pay award will be backdated to apply from 1 August 2017. The University will provide a further update on local pay negotiations as soon as it is able to do so.
Apprentices
As apprenticeships cover many job families, apprentice rates will be increased once the pay award is implemented for all staff.
Tags: APM, apprentices, HR, human resources, job families, pay award, pay offer, research and teaching, technical services, UNISON, UNITE
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Research roadshows: Find out about our £200m investment, plus guidance on publication of research
August 22nd, 2017
Join Professor Dame Jessica Corner, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research and Knowledge Exchange, at a series of roadshows this September and October to find out more about the University of Nottingham’s Research Vision.
The University is also holding roadshows on our newly launched Research Publication Framework: discover how to make the most of your publications for REF and beyond.
Dame Jessica will host the Research Vision roadshows: what does our investment mean to me? between 11 September and 6 October.
Each of the Research Publication Framework roadshows, taking place from 5-7 September, will be hosted by a Faculty Associate Pro-Vice Chancellor for Research and Knowledge Exchange.
Dame Jessica says:
“The University of Nottingham is making an unparalleled investment in both our research and our people. What does this mean for all researchers and research support staff across the University?
This £200m investment – unprecedented in our history – will offer exciting opportunities for us all: academics and researchers, postgraduate students and support staff.
I’m keen to share with you our vision for research, our progress so far, and to update you on some of the exciting work that is already taking place.
To find out more about our vision for research both now and in the years to come, please join me at one of our Research Roadshows. There will also be an opportunity to ask questions.
The Research Publication Framework roadshows outline our commitment to:
- supporting our researchers in getting the most out of their publications
- enhancing the University of Nottingham’s reputation for excellence in our research outputs
These roadshows are among a number of activities throughout 2017-18 aimed at helping researchers get the most of their publications, for REF and beyond.
I very much hope you can join me at the Research Vision Roadshows, and our colleagues at the Research Publication Framework events.”
Research Vision roadshows
- Monday 11 September, 11am-noon, King’s Meadow Campus, studio 11
- Tuesday 26 September, noon-1pm, Queen’s Medical Centre, room C1052
- Tuesday 26 September, 2pm-3pm, University Park, Sir Clive Granger Building, room A48
- Monday 2 October, 9am-10am, Royal Derby Hospital, room 207
- Friday 6 October, 3pm-4pm, Nottingham City Hospital, room A50
There is no need to register or book a place – please just join us on the day.
Research Publication Framework roadshows
- Tuesday 5 September, noon-1pm, Jubilee Campus, Exchange Building, room LT2 Introduced by Professor Andrew Leyshon, Associate Pro-Vice Chancellor for Research and Knowledge Exchange, Faculty of Social Sciences
- Tuesday 5 September, noon-1pm, Sutton Bonington, Plant Science Building, room A17/LR1 Professor Richard Emes, Associate Pro-Vice Chancellor for Research and Knowledge Exchange, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences
- Wednesday 6 September, noon-1pm, University Park, Engineering and Science Learning Centre, room A09 Professor Sarah Sharples, Associate Pro-Vice Chancellor for Research and Knowledge Exchange, Faculty of Engineering
- Thursday 7 September, noon-1pm, University Park: Highfield House, room A01/02 Professor Maiken Umbach, Associate Pro-Vice Chancellor for Research and Knowledge Exchange, Faculty of Arts (final availability TBC)
Please reserve a place at your preferred session
For more information on these roadshows or the Publication Framework, contact: publicationframework@nottingham.ac.uk
Find out more
Research Vision Workspace
Publication Framework Workspace
These sites are regularly updated with information for researchers, academic colleagues, professional services and support staff.
Tags: Jessica Corner, REF, research, research publication framework, research roadshows, Research Strategy, research vision
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Staff volunteers needed for open days
August 21st, 2017
Our next undergraduate open days are being held on Friday 15 September and Saturday 16 September, on all three campuses.
These are flagship University-wide recruitment events, designed to give students and their parents the best experience possible as they visit to find out more about life and study at the University of Nottingham, and consider which universities to apply for.
Our staff and student ambassadors are central to the success of the days, and, as we know from the feedback we receive, make such a positive difference to the experience of our visitors.
We rely on a huge number of staff and students to enable them to run smoothly and this year we need to increase our staff numbers in order to ensure we have sufficient people to guide and direct our visitors.
Duties on open days include:
- staffing information points
- directing visitors/helping with accessibility issues
- assisting visitors at Nottingham train station/tram stop
- supervising student volunteers
- overseeing venues with talks
- being a first point of contact and liaising with the Events team on any issues or problems during the day.
If you would like to volunteer for one of these open days, please complete the online form as soon as possible. The open day team will then contact you to confirm the final details.
The standard hours of work for open days are 8am – 4pm with variations and morning/afternoon sessions for those who are part-time.
You will also be asked to attend a staff training session (1 hour max) and a final briefing the Wednesday prior to the open day (30-45 mins). These are obligatory for all staff, whether you have helped on open days before or not, as arrangements change from year to year.
If you have any queries relating to the events, please contact Stephanie Crofts in the Events team.
Tags: open days, staff ambassadors, volunteering
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Office 365 training and roadshows
August 16th, 2017
Earlier this year, Information Services ran a series of workshops for University of Nottingham staff with the aim of familiarising colleagues across UK campuses with the many features and applications of Office 365.
The Smarter Computing team are scheduling another round of Office 365 Roadshows next month. If you have not yet had the chance to attend, you can find them at the following locations:
- 5 September – 10:00 – 12:00, Sir Clive Grainger, A41, University Park
- 6 September – 13:30 – 15:30, Gateway building A07, Sutton Bonington
- 8 September – 14:00 – 16:00, Exchange, C3, Jubilee Campus
- 18 September – 10:00 – 12:00, ESLC, B02, University Park
Based upon feedback from our roadshow sessions, Information Services have also collaborated with Professional Development to design two new short courses for staff, starting later this month:
- The first course provides an Overview of Office 365 and working in the cloud, including how to open and access applications, good practice when working collaboratively and how to use OneDrive, OneNote and Office Online applications – find out more and book on the course here
- The second course focusses upon using Skype for Business and collaborating online, including the use of instant messaging, creating/running online meetings, using video/audio features and managing contacts – find out more and book on the course here
Find out more about Office 365:
- View our short presentation on the features and applications offered by Office 365
- View our workspace customer guides to see how you can get started with Office Online, Skype for Business, Groups, Sway and Forms
- Contact Information Services if you’d like us to come and discuss further how Office 365 tools could help transform ways of working in your School/Department
Tags: Information Services, IS, o365, Office 365, roadshows, training
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