Chair of Council
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A NEWCASTLE UNIVERSITY COUNCIL 8 February 2021 Present: Mr Paul Walker (Chair of Council), Vice-Chancellor and President, Deputy Vice- Chancellor and Provost, Professor Catherine Biggs, Mr David Bird, Mr Tom Caulker, Ms Dorothy Chirwa (President, Students’ Union), Mrs Linda Conlon, Dr Stacy Gillis, Mr Jonathan Glass, Dame Teresa Graham, Mr Stephen Lightley (Honorary Treasurer), Dr Phillip Lord, Mr Bill MacLeod, Ms Claire Morgan, Mrs Heidi Mottram (Vice-Chair of Council), Ms Dianne Nelmes, Professor Sir Mike Rawlins, Mrs Angela Russell, Mr Nitin Shukla, Professor Daniel Siemens, Professor David Thwaites, Ms Angela Woodburn, and Ms Vicky Wright. This meeting was held using a remote video conferencing platform. Members were visible for the duration of the meeting. Apologies: Ms Sian Dickie In attendance: Mrs Paula Dodd (Head of People Solutions) for Item 47, Professor Richard Davies (Pro-Vice-Chancellor Global) for Item 48, Mr Richard Dale (Executive Director of Finance), Dr John Hogan (Registrar), Ms Louella Houldcroft (Acting Head of Corporate Affairs), Mrs Adrienne McFarland (Executive Director of People Services), and Dr Simon Meacher (Executive Office & Governance Manager). M I N U T E S 40. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST No declarations of interest were received. 41. MINUTES Received the draft minutes of the meeting of Council held on 14 December 2020. [Circulated with the agenda as Document A. Copy filed in the Minute Book.] Resolved that the minutes of the meeting of Council held on 14 December 2020 be approved as a correct record and signed. Noted: 1. Council would return to discussing the Climate Action Plan and National Student Survey at an upcoming meeting. 2. Ms Angela Woodburn had agreed to represent Council as its Sustainability Champion on Environment and Sustainability Committee. 42. HEALTH AND SAFETY Received an update from the Executive Director of People Services. Noted that: Council, 8 February 2021 1. The University continued to make progress against its Health and Safety Strategic Plan. Health and Safety Committee would be meeting on 11 February to consider the approval of four management standards, which would progress to Council in due course. 2. The Health and Safety Executive would be undertaking a biological agents inspection week commencing the 22 March 2021. The inspection would focus on Microbiology Containment Facilities and Large Genetically Modified Organisms. 3. A review of Covid 19 guidance and risk assessment documentation was being undertaken. 43. CHAIR’S BUSINESS Noted that: 1. The Chair reminded Council that the next meeting would take place on 22 March. A joint meeting with Senate would also take place on the same day. 2. The Chair informed Council that Richard Dale (Executive Director of Finance), would be taking retirement at the end of the 2021 calendar year. A campaign to recruit a successor would begin shortly. 3. In addition to having regular conversations with senior leaders about the action being taken by the University in response to the pandemic, the Chair would be attending the University’s Covid Gold Command Group every fortnight as a mechanism for reinforcing the assurance provided to Council and for escalating any urgent issues to Council. 4. Two expressions of interest had been received from members of Council for the Senior Independent Governor role. An election would be held. 44. VICE-CHANCELLOR AND PRESIDENT’S BUSINESS Received the Vice-Chancellor and President’s report. Highlights of this report are discussed below. [Circulated with the agenda as Document B. Copy filed in the Minute Book.] Noted that: Covid-19 Members of Council had received regular updates on the developing situation faced by the University in relation to the Covid-19 pandemic. A separate report had been submitted, discussion of which is detailed in Minute 46. Newcastle University London Following the announcement of the closure of NU London, students had been supported to understand the implications of the closure for their studies beyond September 2021. In response to feedback from students, the University was making arrangements for current Stage 2 students to complete their final year of study in London in the 2021-22 academic year. This would not impact the closure of NU London, but would provide an additional option for current Stage 2 students who were unable to, or did not want to, leave London due to their individual circumstances. Teaching in London in 2021-22 would be delivered by NUBS and a location was currently being established. Students were still able to transfer to study at NUBS in Newcastle if they wished, and were currently confirming their decisions. The University was working with all colleagues affected through a formal consultation process 2 Council, 8 February 2021 which was ongoing. A Transitional Services Agreement was in place with INTO University Partnerships (IUP) to ensure continuous provision of key services in Middlesex Street until NUL ceased to operate on 30 September 2021. Teams were working collaboratively across the University and with colleagues at IUP to ensure that services for students and colleagues at NUL were maintained. Shanxi Research Institute On 26 January 2021 the University had signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Shanxi Province Research Institute committing the organisations to further discussions potentially leading to the establishment of a joint research institute. Due diligence and additional work to study learning from other models of research partnerships between UK HEIs and organisations in China would be undertaken. New Year’s Honours The following individuals associated with the University had been recognised in the New Year’s Honours list: CBE Professor Edward Peck (PhD Management, 1997). Vice-Chancellor, Nottingham Trent University. For services to Higher Education. MBE Mrs Lesley Braiden. Lately Academic Registrar. For services to Higher Education. MBE Mr Nigel Mellor (Diploma in Town and Country Planning, 1968). Chair, Emmaus Merseyside. For services to the Homeless and Disadvantaged in Merseyside. MBE Dr Joanne Thwaite (BSc Microbiology, 1997; PhD Biochemistry and Genetics, 2002). Senior Scientist, Defence Science and Technology Laboratory. For services to the NHS during the Covid-19 response. OBE Professor Linda Anderson. Professor of Modern English and American Literature. For services to Higher Education. OBE Professor Lorraine Maltby (BSc Zoology, 1981). Professor of Environmental Biology, University of Sheffield. For services to Environmental Biology, Animal and Plant Sciences. OBE Dr Paul Williams (MBBS, 1996). Former Member of Parliament for Stockton South. For services to Parliament and to Healthcare. Medal of the Order of the British Empire. Dr Alistair Forbes (PhD Neurology, 1987). Co- founder, Scottish Tech Army. For services to Charity during the Covid-19 response. Scholarships for Black UK Students The University, with Ubisoft, had announced an initiative to encourage and promote diversity in the UK games industry. The Ubisoft Scholarship for Black UK Students would include a three-year programme of support for two Black students applying to a Computer Science degree programme from 2021. Two successful students would each receive a yearly bursary of £11,250 to go towards fees and living expenses. In addition, Ubisoft would provide an ongoing and comprehensive programme of mentorship from Ubisoft developers, incorporating expert support in relation to engineering, a broad insight into games development and a suite of soft skills coaching and training. The support would culminate in a three-month paid internship for both students at Ubisoft Reflections. Climate Change Scholarships 3 Council, 8 February 2021 The University, together with the British Council, had announced seven fully funded scholarships for female students from South Asia interested in pursuing master’s studies in the field of Climate Change. The scholarships were available from September 2021 for one year, and were part of the British Council’s programme to support women and girls in STEM around the world. Research Excellence Framework Council noted that Executive Board had, at its meeting on 15 December 2020, received Faculty presentations on preparations for the 2021 Research Excellence Framework. Executive Board had noted the quality and breadth of the impact case studies highlighted, and their potential for showcasing the benefit of the University’s research for society; the inclusive nature of the research environment statements, including EDI perspectives and the contribution of PhD students and technicians; and the extent of cross-faculty collaboration which featured in the submission. More staff were being returned for the REF when compared with the previous exercise as a result of significant University investment as well as REF rule changes. Pro-Vice-Chancellor Education Council noted that Professor Tom Ward had been appointed as the new Pro-Vice-Chancellor Education. Professor Suzanne Cholerton would retire on 12 March 2021, at which time Professor John Kirby (Dean of Postgraduate Research, Faculty of Medical Sciences) would serve as Acting Pro-Vice-Chancellor Education until Professor Ward took up his position in May. Admissions Systems Project Council noted that, at its meeting on 19 January 2021, Executive Board had, in line with the University Delegation of Authority Regulations, approved a business case for the optimisation and digitalisation of the undergraduate and taught postgraduate admission processes. Change was required as current