Campus News
Success in giving wins University fundraising team a THELMA
June 24th, 2016
The philanthropic arm of The University of Nottingham has been praised for ‘leading from the front’ at a national awards ceremony.
The University’s Campaign and Alumni Relations Office (CARO) was named Outstanding Development/Alumni Relations Team at the Times Higher Education Leadership and Management Awards, also known as the THELMAs.
The awards, which were hosted by comedian Jimmy Carr, at London’s Grosvenor House Hotel, celebrate those that work in the ‘engine rooms of institutions’.
Judges praised CARO’s innovation and excellence in philanthropic giving – paying special attention to the Impact campaign, the Cascade Alumni grants project and Alumni volunteering. Particular mention was made of The University of Nottingham’s Vice Chancellor Professor Sir David Greenaway’s efforts in cycling thousands of miles under the Life Cycle challenge.
Doug Thomson, Director, and Debbie Henthorn, Deputy Director CARO, collected the award. Doug said: ““I am delighted that the Times Higher judges recognised not only the outstanding contribution of the Campaign and Alumni Relations team, but also the terrific support given by colleagues from across the University. From the 1100 staff donors to the hundreds of colleagues and students who volunteer their time in support of the campaign, this is truly a collegiate effort that goes way beyond our immediate team. Above all though I would like to thank the very many donors and volunteers who work with us to enhance the student experience and support Nottingham’s world changing research as we move towards our Campaign goal of £200m.”
Dr Paul Greatrix, Registrar, at The University of Nottingham, said: “This award is testament to the incredible work undertaken by CARO and particularly all those who have contributed to Life Cycle over the past six years, led from the front by the Vice Chancellor. Well done all.”
The University was also short listed for its Arts to Business programme under the Knowledge Exchange award and for a suite of clinical trial agreements under the Administrative Services team award.
Tags: higher education team, philanthropy, The Times, THELMA
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Nottingham Student Experience Survey results
June 24th, 2016
The University has received a 94% overall satisfaction rating from students studying at all levels across the University in the UK. This information was gathered in the Nottingham Student Experience Survey, which shows the highest rating we’ve had since doing the survey.
180 universities from 18 countries – including 50 from the UK, took part in the iGraduate survey, which within Nottingham is referred to as the Nottingham Student Experience Survey (NSES).
The survey asks students at all levels of study to share their experiences of their time at University, from application to arrival, to academic and pastoral support as well as their views on the University and its facilities.
This survey is more wide ranging than the National Student Survey and provides us with important insights into what students think about us in their early years here, which then allows us to paint a more comprehensive picture of what we’re doing well and where we might need to focus efforts to improve their experience.
Pro Vice Chancellor for Education and Student Experience, Professor Sarah O’Hara said: “At a 94% overall satisfaction, the NSES results for 2016 indicate that across the whole student population there is much for us to be proud of. At the same time, interrogating the results more deeply shows areas in which we can improve further still, and we should work hard to do so.”
The full breakdown of results can be seen via the NSES Results Explorer, which you can access from the SPP Tableau Catalogue in the Strategy Support Centre. The NSES Explorer allows you to interrogate the results of the survey across the University, at campus, Faculty, School and Department level.
Further support
Tableau Reader is available via UoN Applications. You can find it by searching for ‘Tableau’ in the Windows Start menu on your PC desktop.
The NSES Results Explorer is provided by Strategy, Planning and Performance who also provide an accompanying user guide.
If you have questions about any substantive aspects of the NSES results or the Explorer, please contact SPP directly by emailing andrew.hindmarsh@nottingham.ac.uk
Tags: iGraduate Survey, Nottingham Student Experience Survey, NSES, students
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University statement on the EU Referendum 2016
June 24th, 2016
You will all by now be aware the people of the United Kingdom have voted to leave the European Union. This is undoubtedly an unprecedented moment for us all.
While we begin to take this news in, I am sure you are wondering what it will mean for us personally and professionally. The answer is that nothing will change immediately.
In the run up to this Referendum, we began work on risk assessment and mitigation plans should the UK decide to leave the EU. Now the result is known we will intensify our efforts to ensure we prepare ourselves fully for the future. Change will not happen overnight and is likely to take some time. Considering Higher Education specifically, there will be uncertainty ahead, but also opportunity. We will work with our colleagues, sector bodies and partners to seek assurances from the Government on its support for Higher Education and ensure we are well placed to both identify and address the opportunities this new world will offer.
We value our highly diverse staff and student body at Nottingham, and what that does for our community. Unless the UK Government decides to take unilateral action, this vote does not mean there will be any immediate material change to the UK’s participation in EU programmes such as Horizon 2020 and Erasmus+, nor to the immigration status of current and prospective EU students and staff.
For more information, please see:
We will be updating our dedicated EU Referendum page as more detail emerges over the coming days and weeks.
Professor Sir David Greenaway, Vice-Chancellor
Tags: David Greenaway, EU, EU referendum, European Union, Global Strategy 2020, higher education, human resources, politics, referendum, Strategy 2020, voting
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Students prepare to swim the English Channel for charity
June 23rd, 2016
A team of seven swimmers, from The University of Nottingham, are all set for the ultimate challenge of a lifetime as they prepare to swim the English Channel.
The students will swim a total of 72 miles, starting 24 June to raise £10,000 for Teenage Cancer Trust, after one of the their team member’s friend’s was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia at just 12 years old. The money raised will help transform the lives of young people with cancer across the East Midlands.
The team – Joshua Harridine, 21, Alex Thurston, 35, James Bull, 20, Alex Kirtley, 20, Mary Heartshorne, 22, Hayden Ball, 20 and Rebecca Dutfield, 19 (reserve swimmer), are setting off from Dover Harbour and will be swimming into Cap Gris Nex in Northern France, they will then start the swim back again immediately. Their week-long challenge is expected to take around 26 hours to complete, with swimmers on rotation every hour.
Medical student, Josh Harridine, said: “It was inspiring for me to see a friend meet the huge challenge of cancer with such strength and courage. When we were planning the swim months ago, we wanted to pick a charity that was close to our hearts and that was Teenage Cancer Trust. From the whole squad it goes without saying we are beyond proud to represent our friend and Teenage Cancer Trust.”
Tags: charity, English Channel, fundraising, students, swimmers, Teenage Cancer Trust
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Can you provide students with a placement?
June 22nd, 2016
The School of Politics and International Relations is looking to build additional ‘Placement Partnerships’ with University departments and employers for both term time and summer placements.
There is no cost involved and organisations will benefit from the opportunity to utilise a varied student skill-set from within the department.
Download the brief Placement Providers Guide (pdf) demonstrating the skill-sets and experience on offer from the department, the various placement options and how we manage the end-to-end placement process to save your organisation both time and money!
We are currently working with placement partners as diverse as: Hope Not Hate, Mojatu Foundation, Boots, Nottingham Citizens and more.
If you are interested and want further information please contact Steve Vaccarini in the Placements Department, School of Politics and International Relations: 0115 84 68161/ 07976 974204 or email any questions to Stephen.vaccarini@nottingham.ac.uk
Tags: employability, Placements, School of Politics and International Relations, Work experience
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George Green Library clean-up update
June 22nd, 2016
After a review of the clean-up operations, we can provide the following updates on George Green Library:
- The library is now open and can be accessed from the entrance opposite Pope Building
- We do not yet have services on A floor but everything is accessible on floors B to F
- We have set up a temporary lending desk in the CS office on B floor
- The clean-up work will be prioritised on the entrance level – it is expected that it will be completed and re-opened on 29 June, utilising both entrance doors
- The lower ground floor area and café are expected to take 3 weeks to restore and re-open
These are our best estimates however, due to the nature and extent of the clean-up works, the quoted dates may be subject to change. If this is the case, we will give as much notice as possible and update information will be posted in the library.
The library will be open for Open Days.
Tags: flooding, George Green Library, University Park
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Dinosaurs of China information event
June 22nd, 2016
In summer 2017, The University of Nottingham will be hosting the Dinosaurs of China exhibition in partnership with Nottingham City Council.
Featuring fossils and specimens never before seen outside of Asia, the exhibition, which will be hosted at Wollaton Hall, with a satellite display at Nottingham Lakeside Arts, will bring to life the story of how dinosaurs evolved into the birds that live alongside us today.
A briefing event about the exhibition will be taking place on 30 June 2016 and this is to encourage our academics, staff and students to start thinking about how their work might link to the exhibition and what opportunities/benefits it might present them with.
You can register for the briefing event here.
Tags: dinosaurs of china, exhibition, Nottingham City Council, Nottingham Lakeside Arts, Wollaton Hall
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Year end principles course
June 20th, 2016
As the University nears the end of the financial year (31 July), the Financial Management team would like to draw attention to the year end principles training course.
This course is aimed at staff without formal accountancy training who need to participate in the University’s year end (for example, staff responsible for school budgets). The course is an overview of why the year end is important and what everyone’s responsibilities are in terms of completing year end returns.
The courses will be taking place on:
4 July – 2-3pm at C7, KMC
6 July – 10-11am at A1, Humanities Building, University Park
Please book your place online.
Tags: accountancy, course, end of year, financial management
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Car parking update 2016/17
June 20th, 2016
Following the completion of the tram works through University Boulevard in 2015 access to University Park has been largely unaffected by further roadworks since September. As the works have completed we have taken back car parking provision at both Science Road and the Medical School which has relieved pressure on car parking.
The University’s Car Parking Review Group reported to the University Executive Board in May, noting the following for 2015/16:
- A significant reduction (40%) in parking charge notices issued.
- The late start reserved parking areas on our campuses were considered appropriate for demand and working well.
- Provision for the charging of electric vehicles has been introduced on all campuses and available for staff use.
- The number of permits issued continues to reduce with positive trends of increased use of cycling and public transport.
- No noticeable impact, yet, of the tram on the parking permit numbers to date but it will continue to be monitored.
As part of the review the Group consider representation from staff and made the following recommendations to the Executive Board, which has subsequently been endorsed. These changes reflect the objective of supporting sustainable travel, family-friendly policies and being equitable across staff groups.
- Staff to be able to opt out of the full parking permit scheme, but with caveat that they cannot opt in until 12 months after.
- Occasional user voucher cost to change from 35% to 30% of the cost of a full permit Associate scheme to be amended from fixed fee to a scale of charges based on emissions
- No change to casual/agency worker charge or Pay & Display charges
The Executive Board agreed to the Group’s recommendation to increase all other car parking charges by 5% for 2016/17 to offset the increasing cost of the Workplace Parking Levy we are subject to. New charges will take effect from 1 September and 2016/17 permits can be applied for from 1 July.
For more information on the charges and the new permit application process visit the car parking webpages.
Tags: car, Estates, parking, staff, transport, travel, update
Posted in Environment, News | 12 Comments »
Changes to foundation provision for international students
June 20th, 2016
The University is changing the way it offers foundation provision to international students.
From September 2016, we will be working with an external partner to expand the scale of foundation provision, in line with plans for international student growth in the University’s Strategy 2020.
Working with an external partner – Kaplan UK Limited (referred to as Kaplan) – will enable us to increase significantly the number of international students coming to the University through undergraduate foundation programmes and to develop pre-Master’s programmes.
Over the last decade, many UK universities have partnered with external providers to increase their provision in these areas. Kaplan is one of the most well-established providers in the UK and already works with a number of other universities including Liverpool, Glasgow, Birmingham and York.
Around 20,000 students enrol annually on such programmes in the UK; some of our competitor institutions enrol up to 1,000 students per year, on programmes that deliver UK study skills, key subject knowledge and English language development.
Up until now, the University of Nottingham has chosen instead to offer foundation courses to international students in-house and on a smaller scale, recruiting around 80-100 international students per year. To increase that provision in a way that supports Nottingham as a prime choice, it was recognised that we need to partner with an external provider with the experience, infrastructure and expertise to develop this provision with us.
In light of this, a review of options for expanding our provision began last summer. Following extensive discussions, the recommendations of that review were raised at University Council and Senate. After a competitive process involving a number of potential providers, University Executive Board has now decided to move forward with Kaplan.
This initiative is specifically designed to support international students; current year 0 provision for UK and EU students will not be impacted.
For the Faculty of Engineering, Kaplan will market and undertake admissions for all of the undergraduate foundation provision and pre-masters programmes. However teaching of the engineering and physical sciences undergraduate foundation will be retained by the Faculty of Engineering.
Further updates will be posted on Campus News.
Tags: foundation provision, international students, kaplan
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