1) General Meeting, Wednesday, 20th January, 1pm-2pm, Arts Complex LT2
Happy New Year! A reminder: our first GM of the year is on Wednesday, 20th January. The agenda will be circulated next week.
If you would like to submit a motion, this should be sent to ucu-office@bristol.ac.uk by 9 am Tuesday 12 January.
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2) From REF to TEF: On the Government’s Plans for Higher Education, Thursday, 21st January, 5pm-6:30pm, Old Council Chamber, Wills Memorial Building
Bristol UCU hosts From REF to TEF On the Government’s Plans for Higher Education, a panel discussion and Q&A on the future of Higher Education in the wake of the government’s recent proposals.
To register and for more details: http://tinyurl.com/BristolUCUFromREF2TEF
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3) Withdrawal of Car Parking Charge For Disabled Users
At their meeting of 15th December, UPARC agreed to withdraw car-parking charges for disabled users following representations from the Staff Disability Group, UCU reps and other campus trade unions. A big thanks to those on the Group who drafted the paper challenging the charge.
Disabled members of staff who have a permit under the new parking policy will not be required to pay to park in University car parks. Any disabled staff members who have already bought vouchers will be able to get a refund.
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4) Reinstate Alison Hayman Campaign – Employment Tribunal This Week
Alison has her Tribunal this week. Witness statements have been prepared, the case that the reduction of performance to securing grants has been made and the matter of disproportionate, draconian treatment has been impressed.
FYI Alison’s predicament (‘Not everyone will share Professor Brady’s upbeat view of life as an academic at Bristol’), and the issue of grant-related performance management at Bristol, was briefly referenced in a recent Times Higher interview with the Vice Chancellor ( he noted ‘individual targets (something that now exists in some form at one in six UK universities)’ were ‘“heavy handed”’.
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5) Equality Rep for Gender Sought
If you are interested in contributing to the branch on matters of gender equality, we currently have an Equality Rep for Gender position available on the Executive.
In terms of potential issues, for example, Bristol UCU has recently signed up to Bristol Zero Tolerance, a new initiative working towards Bristol becoming a city free from gender-based violence, abuse, harassment and exploitation, and one of our branch priorities this year is to help address the University’s ‘gender gap’.
For more information, get in contact with ucu-office@bristol.ac.uk.
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6) Bristol UCU Statement of Solidarity – London Metropolitan University UCU
Bristol UCU Exec has sent a statement of solidarity of London Met UCU with regard to its current campaign to prevent jobs losses and the relocation of the Cass School of Architecture.
Please sign the petition: http://www.savethecass.org/