MARCH 1997 HOPES FLYING HIGH FOR LEICESTER’S MILLENNIUM BID THE Millennium Commission will be meeting as a researcher, is a frequent visitor to to consider the the city. Last month he spoke of his Leicester National Space excitement at plans for the NSSC, Science Centre proposal commenting that it would provide this month. inspiration to people. TIN Hopes for Leicester’s His views were echoed by multi-million pound astronaut Helen Sharman during her Millennium bid are flying recent visit to the University, and a high - literally out of this number of other leading scientists world. are supporters of the bid. They Whatever the outcome, include astronomer and the logo for the NSSC has broadcaster, Dr Patrick Moore, already been in orbit, it has and Astronomer Royal, Sir Martin been revealed. Astronaut Rees. Dr Jeff Hoffman, who is an The NSSC, a joint proposal by honorary advisor on the the City Council, Leicester project, flew the patch with University and numerous other the logo aboard the Space partners, is proposed for a site in Shuttle Columbia exactly a Abbey Meadows, Leicester. It http://www.le.ac.uk/ Pic: Nasa Pic: LE year ago. will house an exhibition centre, Dr Hoffman, who spent Dr Hoffman with the NSSC logo in Challenger Centre, Millennium HIGH-FLYING: three years at the University space Continued on page 2 THEATRE’S VALENTINE INSIDE FOR ORTON FRIDAY 14 February was a play’s savage wit kept the special day for lovers - of good audience on its toes ...get comedy - as it saw tickets if you can”. the gala Earlier in the performance of Joe day, Mrs Barnett Orton’s hilarious brought some of farce, What the the infamous MARCH 15 Butler Saw. Edna Welthorpe is Jubilee Open Day and the Guest of letters to show to University is geared up for its honour was members of the biggest celebration yet of this Orton’s sister, Orton Papers historic year. Jubilee Open Day Leonie Barnett, Appeal team and programmes have been sent to (pictured, the media took departments and are also seated) who was this chance to available from the reception of joined by interview her, the Fielding Johnson Building, or representatives gaining valuable by ringing ext 5109 (ansaphone). from the county publicity for the BUL Open Day feature, Pages 16-17 museum £80,000 appeal. and 27. service, the At the end of the University Library, the English evening, Pro-Vice-Chancellor BULLETIN MEANS Department and other keen Professor Robin White BUSINESS: The University is fans of Orton. presented Mrs Barnett with a highlighting its business The production by LUT was bouquet and thanked her for credentials through a new well received and the Leicester giving the University the magazine, Business Interface, Mercury stated “the cast’s chance to secure the papers and a new regular column in impeccable timing and the for future study. the Bulletin. See Page 11. BULLETIN: Your award-winning newsletter - Heist Marketing Awards 1996 NEWS WOMEN ENCOURAGED TO VOLUME 29 MAKE A POSITIVE CHOICE NUMBER 6 WOMEN who want to get who have been out of paid back on track for work or employment for the past six study after a break are once months or more. The women MARCH 1997 again able to get help from a may be contemplating either free University course. a return to work; wanting to Thanks to a grant from build confidence and improve NEWS........................1-10 Leicester City Council, the skills; searching for a new BUSINESS..................11 Women Making Choices career direction, or wishing course is running this month. to review particular OUT & ABOUT....12-13 As in previous years it is strengths and options. being held at Vaughan Those who attend learn FEATURES/ College, in St Nicholas Circle. about job search skills, ARTSTOP..............14-18 Students also attend the preparing a CV, interview University’s main campus to skills, basic information CUTTINGS.................19 access one of the fully technology and a range of PEOPLE........................20 equipped computer labs other subjects. The City The course is designed for Council funding also allows BOOKS.........................21 women aged 25 and over, the students assistance with RESEARCH............21-24 who live in Leicester, and travel and child care costs. NOTICES...............24-26 A.O.B. ..........................26 Continued from front cover CROSSWORD Back Page NSSC LOGO TAKEN INTO SPACE BULLETIN Dome and Research Centre. confident that the Millennium Project Manager, Mr Nigel Commission will recognise this and The Bulletin aims to publish news and features which inform staff and students of developments affecting the Siesage said: “ Our plans are now give us their backing.” University, and to report on the decisions of Council and very well developed. The Centre Chief Executive of Leicester Senate. will be full of imaginative and Promotions, Mr Peter Cottingham, Tell us your news! We welcome stories and pictures from exciting features which will be added: “This bid has generated an individuals and departments, so send your copy to the Editor in unique in the UK; and it has the unprecedented level of co- Press and Alumni Relations, Registrar’s Office. The closing date for the next issue is Friday 21st March for publication in the backing of a carefully researched operation between the public and first week of April. The Editor reserves the right to amend or business plan to confirm its long- private sectors. We now have abbreviate copy without notice. term viability. Naturally we are good links to the local The Bulletin is edited in Press and Alumni Relations. communities who will Small advertisements (up to 30 words in length) should be benefit from this major accompanied by cheques, payable to University of Leicester, at the project. The National Space following rates: Science Centre is the House sales and lettings: £5.00 Other sales and services: £2.00 biggest round two Millennium project in the Prices for display advertisements are available on request. Please contact Julie Franks, Marketing Officer LUSU, extn 1168, to East Midlands. It would whom all adverts should be sent. also form the largest Private, non-commercial announcements are carried free of tourist attraction within charge, subject to space. the region providing Editor: Ather Mirza (Extn 3335) significant economic e-mail: [email protected] benefits.” Deputy Editor: Barbara Whiteman (Extn 2676) ■ Visitors will be able to People, Books, Research, Cuttings, Notices, Artstop. see the model of the Reporter: Judith Shaw proposed NSSC at the Design and layout: Julie Bowles Jubilee Open Day on Pictures: Central Photographic Unit, March 15. Leicester Mercury. Story on Dr Hoffman’s Printed by Central Reprographic Unit. visit and more pictures, see pages 8 and 9. Newsline: 0116 252 3335 Advertising: 0116 223 1168 2 NEWS PRESS CONTACTS PROFESSOR APPOINTED CONFERENCE SUCCESS PARLIAMENTARY ADVISOR THE University is expanding its communications network following the THE director of Leicester provide a broad context from successful first conference of the newly established Press Contacts. University’s School of Social which to understand the needs Spearheaded by Press and Alumni Relations, University Press Contacts Work, Professor Jane Aldgate, of children. are members of staff who assist the Press Office and the media in has been appointed Advisor to ensuring that the University expertise on a variety of subjects is quickly the Parliamentary Select accessible. Committee on health in its The contacts also make submissions to the Bulletin, ensuring their work relating to children departments have a high profile in the University. looked after by local Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Professor Asa Blakeley, welcomed the 50 Press authorities. Contacts who attended, stressing the importance of the media in raising Professor Aldgate, pictured the profile of the University. right, has undertaken major Talks were also given by Ather Mirza, Director of Press and Alumni studies on such children, Relations, Peter Allen, Development Manager, Jane Pearson, International covering the factors PRO, Barbara Whiteman, Press and Marketing Assistant, and Clare influencing their discharge Somerby from BBC Radio Leicester. Information packs were also from the care system - provided. emphasising contact between The induction session was supported by the Staff Development Unit. parents and the children; Articles by Press Contacts are featured in the new Out and About foster home breakdown; section of Bulletin on page 12. A list of the University Press Contacts will reviews of the children in care; Much of Professor Aldgate’s appear in the Experts Guide for the Media. the educational progress of career, although grounded in children in long term foster social work practice, has been care, and the use of short devoted to undertaking term accommodation under research to inform policy and the Children Act 1989. practice at national, She has published international and local levels in extensively works based on relation to children in need, in looking after children, particular those who are including children in need, and looked after by local early investigative processes in authorities. child sexual abuse cases which FUNDING COUNCIL GRANT ANNOUNCEMENTS 1997/98 THE recurrent grants for the University of Leicester from both HEFCE and TTA have been announced. In cash terms, HEFCE “T” grant has increased by £398,795 (1.9%) and “R” grant has reduced by £101,165 (-1.0%) giving an overall cash increase on Formula MEDIA MATTERS: Professor Blakeley and University Press Contacts study a display before the meeting Recurrent Grant of £297,630 (1.0%). The non-consolidated addition to core grant has increased by £87,612 to £306,204. The total non- earmarked HEFCE grant is £31,818,467, representing an overall MEDIA FOCUS increase of 1.2% over the previous year. A deduction of £693,325 has been made from the HEFCE THE Press Contacts have already made an impact on the University Press recurrent grant to take account of the reduced employer contribution profile - a call from the Press Association, the world’s biggest news to the Universities Superannuation Scheme.