Campus News
Volunteers needed for exam invigilation
May 12th, 2023
Registry and Academic Affairs are looking for volunteers to help with examination invigilation in May and June.
There are a range of opportunities to assist with invigilating a range of exam types.
We have over 1,350 different exams running between Monday 22 May and Friday 9 June 2023 and require assistance with invigilation of these exams.
Invigilators ensure exam conditions are maintained as well as preparing exam rooms and aid students where required during an exam.
This opportunity is not limited to those who have volunteered to invigilate before, first time invigilators are also welcomed. Support and a training session will be provided in preparation for the day.
Part time staff at Levels 1–3 are welcome to invigilate outside of their normal working hours and can claim for this.
Staff working above full-time hours can also claim for the hours worked. There are also a range of Saturday slots available.
If you would like to volunteer or wish to discuss the opportunities, please check with your line manager and contact the Exams office.
Tags: exam, Exam invigilator, volunteer
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USS Pension – Capita cyber incident
May 12th, 2023
The USS pension scheme is informing its members of a cyber incident targeting Capita that may impact several of the cross-sector businesses it serves, including the USS.
USS has published information on its website which we recommend that you read at Capita cyber incident.
Members can also email mydata@uss.co.uk if they have any further queries not covered on www.uss.co.uk.
Tags: capita, cyber incident, UCU
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Marking and Assessment Boycott – pay deductions policy
May 12th, 2023
The University and College Union (UCU) has confirmed that industrial action will continue over the summer term in the form of action short of a strike (ASOS) including a marking and assessment boycott (MAB). Staff should inform their School or Department if they are participating in this action.
The University recognises that any period of industrial action will be challenging, appreciates that colleagues do not undertake industrial action lightly and respects their right to participate. We also recognise and appreciate the widespread commitment of many colleagues to continue to protect the education of our students and the integrity of their awards.
However, where ASOS takes the form of the withdrawal of labour for part of a day or from contractual duties, either as a one-off or on a continuous basis, this could constitute partial performance, and the University reserves the right to deduct salary for each day of ASOS. Participation in the ASOS marking and assessment boycott is considered by the University as partial performance and amounts to a breach of contract.
In line with the approach taken by the majority of universities, for the period of Monday 15 May to Friday 16 June inclusive, 50% of pay will be withheld for any member of staff participating in the MAB – ie refusing to set or mark coursework, examinations or other assessments or withholding marks.
Further details are published on the University’s HR webpages.
The University has published contingency regulations which outline the steps that we expect to take to mitigate the potential impact of the boycott on students, should it become necessary.
Tags: ASOS, Industrial Action, Marking and assessment boycott, marking boycott, strike, UCU
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VC staff surgeries: Thursday 25 May, 9.30am – 11am
May 9th, 2023
The next set of ‘staff surgery’ sessions are now available for colleagues to discuss any issue with Vice-Chancellor Professor Shearer West, on Thursday 25 May 2023, from 9.30am – 11am.
Booking your session
To register for a session, please email BA-VC-Surgery@exmail.nottingham.ac.uk with your preferred date from the list below and a brief agenda for the meeting.
Places are offered on a first-come, first-served basis, so colleagues are encouraged to book early.
You will be contacted within two working days of your request confirming the date and time.
Further surgery sessions are available on:
- Monday 19 June, 3pm – 4.30pm
- Tuesday 29 August, 2.30-4pm
Conversations will usually be held in-person, although can be arranged via Teams if preferred.
More information is available at VC Staff Surgery.
Tags: Professor Shearer West, VC Surgeries, VC surgery, Vice-Chancellor Professor Shearer West, Vice-Chancellor's surgeries
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Bereavement support: the bereavement journey – May 2023 sessions
May 9th, 2023
The Bereavement Journey is for anyone who has been bereaved at any time and in any way.
By means of a series of films and discussion groups over 5 weeks it gently guides participants through the most common aspects of grief, enabling them to process things for themselves and find ways forward.
There is an optional final session (Week 6) on faith questions in bereavement making The Bereavement Journey suitable for people of any faith or none.
Each session lasts up to 90 minutes and will be run online.
The sessions are open to both staff and students. To book your place on the course starting on Thursday 18 May 2023, please register here.
Tags: bereavement, bereavement journey, bereavement support
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Successful second year for winter shelter at the university
May 9th, 2023
A winter shelter set up on campus for the second year running at the university, in partnership with local charity Emmanuel House, has helped provide safety, warmth and food for more than 100 people affected by homelessness.
The news comes as the university has announced its continued commitment to supporting the charity by hosting a shelter on its University Park Campus for the third year this coming autumn and winter.
Between 17 October 2022 and 11 April 2023, the shelter on University Park Campus provided 3922 nights’ protection for a total of 107 people who would otherwise have been rough sleeping during the worst of the winter months. Each night, an average of 26 people were accommodated.
Emmanuel House supported 58 of these people into accommodation – an average of 2.4 people every week for 24 weeks. Nine people are now living in private rented accommodation, three people moved to hostels, 32 people moved to temporary or supported accommodation, four people are now living in accommodation provided by local housing associations and 10 people have re-connected with friends and family.
Whilst staying at the Winter Shelter, guests received shelter, warmth, 24-hour support and three meals a day.
Forty individual people volunteered at the 2022-2023 Winter Shelter, as well as 19 different groups from local organisations that cooked an evening meal for the guests.
Ashley Roberts, Head of Campus Services, said: “For the second year in a row we’ve been able to support this initiative and it is amazing to see the impact that Emmanuel House have had, using the university as a base.
“Homeless charities provide such an essential service, particularly through these challenging times, and Emmanuel House deserve enormous credit for the number of individuals they have managed to support. Over the winter the university community has once again come together to support this fantastic cause, demonstrating the values that are at the core of everything we can do.”
Denis Tully, CEO at Emmanuel House, said: “The partnership with the University of Nottingham this year has yet again been excellent. Emmanuel House is indebted to the university for providing a building in which we were able to accommodate 107 people in emergency respite accommodation. Without the support of the University of Nottingham this would have not been possible. The partnership is about more than just providing a building.
Among those seeking shelter were a family of five adults who had arrived in the UK from Iraq, having been tricked into selling their land and all their possessions. They had been victims of trafficking and fraud and were falsely led to believe they would be able to make a claim for EU migrant status and receive British citizenship when they arrived in the UK.
The family had been staying in a local town, but when their funds ran out, they came to Nottingham. The police found them sleeping rough and took them to Nottingham City Council’s Housing Aid service. The family were then referred to Emmanuel House to seek further homelessness provisions, such as food, showers and clothes.
Staff at Emmanuel House referred them to the Winter Shelter, where the charity provided emergency short-term accommodation. They stayed at the Winter Shelter for eight weeks, whilst Emmanuel House’s shelter team worked in partnership with Migrant Help, the Refugee Forum and the Red Cross. The family moved into Home Office accommodation, which enabled them to get further support with their asylum claim.
Viv Dickinson, Shelter Manager, said: “It’s a privilege to work with the University of Nottingham again for a second year. It has allowed us to continue the legacy of our night shelter and provide safety to so many people.”
Tags: Emmanuel House, Winter shelter
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Getting in Shape Team: introduction and expansion
May 9th, 2023
Getting in Shape (GiS) is a university service that works with teams to build Lean capability – contributing to a strong, effective and engaged organisational culture, improving processes and reducing waste.
Like many other university services, we are dedicated to delivering positive change to enable continuous improvement across the organisation at both major strategic and local levels.
Our team works with departments and cross-university teams to apply Lean principles and assist staff with the planning and implementation of change within their areas.
The vision for the Getting in Shape team is to build a strong and engaged organisational culture by helping to remove pain points, improve processes/ways of working and reduce waste so that staff can invest their time and resources in ways that will address challenges across the university and build on our strengths.
The principles and methodologies of Lean thinking are being used to enable that delivery.
The Getting in Shape team is now growing from a busy team of eight. We will be increasing capability by the recruitment of two additional Lean Practitioners, who will be working with numerous teams across a broad spectrum of Faculties, Schools, and Professional Services.
Building Lean Capability
The GiS team works with other teams or departments in the university to introduce the principles and concepts of Lean thinking and can hold workshops that are led for the whole team with additional support for those in leadership roles.
The GiS team has Lean Practitioners working as part of a central team and embedded within Health Sciences, Life Sciences, Nottingham University Business School (NUBS), Research & Innovation and Digital Core.
Our Practitioners are key to the creation of local capability in Lean, by assisting colleagues from all job families with techniques and mentoring as part of both local and major strategic improvement initiatives.
This is also followed up with coaching and further Lean training as required.
Enabling Improvement
GiS works with teams, departments, or cross-university teams to apply Lean principles to an identified issue that is a problem or has potential for improvement.
We can also employ a Rapid Improvement Event approach that can be applied to scope and follow a process of change to deliver fast results.
Embedding Lean
There are now 590 members of the Lean Community, where staff develop their Lean skills with like-minded colleagues through further training and Lean events.
Teams can be supported through bespoke or standalone improvement initiatives at all levels/size.
GiS offers a suite of high-calibre Lean training, enabling staff to embed Lean within their Schools/Departments. The team also work with external partners linked to the university and Higher Education sector, delivering bespoke training and coaching in Lean techniques.
Darius and Kim, two of the university’s new Lean Practitioners, discuss joining the Getting in Shape team:
Darius Akhavan-Hezaveh:
‘Getting in Shape has been an inspiring team to me since first attending the Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt course. Their belt training series has been an empowering experience, which has helped to build confidence in myself and the way I work. I’m looking forward to joining Getting in Shape and instilling this same confidence to others across the university.’
Kimberley Byrne:
‘I applied for the Lean Practitioner role after doing the Green Belt course and working with the team as a Change Champion. I’m really looking forward to starting in my new role and meeting the rest of the Getting in Shape team.’
For more information about the GiS Team, initiatives and Lean training, please visit and follow the GiS SharePoint Site.
If your team, School or Department needs advice, enquiries can be directed to BB-Gettinginshape@nottingham.ac.uk .
Tags: getting in shape, Getting in Shape team, GIS, LEAN, Lean community
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Action required: please upgrade your VPN software
May 5th, 2023
Digital and Technology Services (DTS) is in the process of upgrading the university’s VPN service, to deliver improved security and user features.
For DTS to be able to upgrade the service, all staff and students must upgrade their VPN software to FortiClient VPN version 7.0.7 as a minimum. This applies to all devices (both personal and university owned devices).
I don’t use the VPN often – Do I still need to upgrade?
FortiClient VPN version 7.0.7 must be installed on all devices which may be used to access the VPN, regardless of usage.
What happens if I don’t upgrade?
You will be unable to connect to the VPN once DTS upgrade the service.
How do I upgrade to the latest version? (university Windows devices)
- Click start in the bottom left-hand corner of your screen
- Click Company Portal
- A horizontal list of Recently published apps will appear. The new version of FortiClient VPN 7 SSL should be the first to appear*. Click on the icon (outlined below)
- You will then be taken to the installation page. Simple click Install on the far right (outlined below), and the new version of FortiClient 7.0.7 SSL will be installed on your device. You can check you have the new version installed by checking the Overview (outlined below)
5 . Once you have completed each of these steps, please reboot your device to enable configuration. This step is crucial.
*If the latest version does not appear, please see below.
The latest version of FortiClient VPN doesn’t appear in Company Portal
If you can’t see FortiClient VPN 7 SSL, you will need to reset the Company Portal by following these steps:
- Right click the Start button on your device and go to Apps and Features at the top of the list:
- Scroll down to Company Portal and click on it. A blue link to Advanced options will appear. Click this.
- After you click on Advanced options, scroll down to the Reset button. Clicking this will reset Company Portal back to its default settings.
- Wait a few minutes for the reset to process, then open Company Portal again, and you should see the new FortiClient 7 SSL is available.
- Once you have confirmed the new version is installed, please reboot your device to allow the setup to configure the recommended options (IPSEC and SSL).
I have rebooted my system – How can I check it has worked?
- Click the VPN icon in the system tray (bottom right) on your Windows device
- The following options should appear (see screenshot below):
– Connect “UoN Fortinet IPSEC VPN”
– Connect to “UoN Fortinet SSL VPN”
- If, after rebooting, the IPSEC and SSL options still don’t appear please reboot your device a second time.
I have installed the upgraded version of FortiClient and rebooted my device at least twice, but the IPSEC and SSL options still don’t appear when I attempt to log onto the VPN.
Click on the system tray and right click the FortiClient icon (see above) Click ‘Open FortiClient console’. You may be prompted to accept the notice below. Please tick the box and accept.
If the IPSEC and SSL options still haven’t appeared, please contact the IT Service Desk.
The Company Portal says I’m not the primary user
You can ignore this message and continue with the upgrade.
I have a non-Windows device – how do I upgrade?
University Mac devices
Mac users can install the new client version via Jamf Self Service. The installer there will remove any old version before installing version 7.0.7.
Linux
DTS is in the process of updating all guides for Linux users. Please see the instructions on the Workspace customer guides for advice on how to upgrade Linux devices.
VPN advice for non-Windows personal devices, including installing and configuring FortiClient VPN, can also be found on Workspace.
Need help?
Should you have any issues upgrading to FortiClient VPN version 7, please contact the IT Service Desk in the first instance.
We thank you for your co-operation.
Tags: IT Service Desk, Network update, update to VPN, VPN
Posted in Announcements, News | 1 Comment »
New Commercial Director – Jo Simpson
May 4th, 2023
Jo Simpson will join the University of Nottingham as its new Commercial Director on 1 August 2023 to lead the strategic development of the University’s commercial activities.
Reporting to Chief Financial Officer Margaret Monckton, Jo will be responsible for growing commercial income from the University assets such as events, hotels, conferencing, and services rendered, generating a valuable additional source of funding for the University’s teaching and research priorities.
Chief Financial Officer Margaret Monckton said: “I am delighted to welcome Jo to Nottingham where she will take up this critical role at an important time. Commercial income is incredibly important for the University’s financial sustainability. Jo comes to us with great experience and energy, and I am looking forward to working with her – she will be fantastic member of the University’s senior leadership team”.
Jo Simpson said: “I am excited to be joining such a prestigious institution as its Commercial Director and look forward to working with colleagues across the University to secure new income streams to support its teaching and research.”
A Fellow of Chartered Certified Accountants, Jo is currently Commercial and Facilities Director at Loughborough University where she led the creation of its Commercial Directorate and has been responsible for more than 100 staff since her appointment in 2015.
Jo’s career has also embraced senior finance and commercial roles in the public and private sectors including Nottinghamshire Learning & Skills Council from 2001, where she was responsible for financial strategy and budgetary control for all external learning providers including Further Education colleges in the region, and Greater Nottingham Tec from 1995 where she was Director of Finance and latterly Chief Executive.
As Head of Regional Service for Next plc from 1993, Jo led the development of new financial systems and process for more than 30 stores with a turnover of £625 million.
A keen sportswoman in her professional and private life, Jo is responsible for the sports facilities at Loughborough University, and is currently on the board of Sport England’s Sport Council Trading Company (SCTC).
Until recently she was the Vice Chair of British Wheelchair Basketball from London 2012 and Chair of Finance, Audit and Risk. Jo was previously CEO of Youth Sport Direct Ltd and Group Finance Director of Youth Sport Trust from 2005 to 2016.
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Professor Sarah Metcalfe appointed as Deputy Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research & Knowledge Exchange
May 2nd, 2023
Professor Sarah Metcalfe has been appointed as the new Deputy Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research & Knowledge Exchange, taking up the role in January 2024 once her interim appointment as Provost for the University of Nottingham in Malaysia concludes.
Professor Metcalfe has worked at the University of Nottingham since 2003, with roles including Head of School, APVC for Research and Knowledge Exchange for the Faculty of Social Sciences and lead of the Developing Sustainable Societies Global Research Theme.
In her most recent appointment as UNM Provost, Professor Metcalfe has been responsible for the leadership of UNM and its 5,000 students and published UNM’s Strategic Plan to guide its research and teaching to 2026.
Sarah has worked at higher education and research institutions across the UK and overseas. Her research and teaching spans climate change, air pollution and human-environment interactions across a range of timescales. Her current research is funded by the Leverhulme Trust, the AHRC and NERC.
A global recruitment competition will be launched shortly to appoint the next Provost for the University of Nottingham in Malaysia prior to Sarah’s departure.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Shearer West said:
“I am delighted to appoint Sarah as the new Deputy Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research & Knowledge Exchange for the University of Nottingham. I am confident that she will continue the work to deliver our new research strategy with the same passion she has shown for our operations in Malaysia.
“Following the achievement of the University’s excellent REF2021 results, which placed us 7th in the UK for Research Power, I look forward to Sarah working with our next Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research & Knowledge Exchange Professor Tom Rodden to implement the Research Strategy which represents the ideas of many colleagues across our community to enhance our research quality and performance.”
Professor Sarah Metcalfe said:
“I am really looking forward to taking up my new role as Deputy Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research & Knowledge Exchange and supporting Professor Tom Rodden. At the same time, I will miss my colleagues at UNM where I have truly enjoyed being part of our community in Malaysia and building on our strengths in education and research to make a real difference in Malaysia and the wider region.”
Tags: Deputy Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research & Knowledge Exchange, Professor Sarah Metcalfe, Research and Knowledge Exchange
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