LU Text

› Contents: news; Lancaster in the news; people; notices; what's on; ads

NEWS

Pay negotiations update

The latest position is that UCEA representatives met with Trade Union representatives at ACAS offices on Wednesday 4 November. A full exploration of the issues of concern to the Trade Unions took place, and UCEA relayed its position on the 09/10 negotiating round. A further meeting will be held at ACAS on Tuesday 24 November. The following points summarise the issues relating to the 09/10 pay negotiations:

• The employers’ final offer of 0.5% is considered to be realistic, responsible and credible under current economic circumstances and in the context of recent pay increases.
• Whilst the financial position of Lancaster University is stronger than the sector average, many institutions are operating in an exceptionally difficult and uncertain financial environment, with real concerns about sustainability. A 0.5% uplift, on top of incremental pay rises and pensions increases (which can add up to employers paying some 5.5% more), is at the absolute limit of affordability.
• In addition to the pay offer, employers are offering to work with the trade unions on a range of issues (many of which were raised by the unions) through three joint working groups covering equalities issues, framework implementation and financial sustainability.
• HE pay has improved considerably under the 2006-09 pay deal with staff receiving minimum increases of 15.9% over three years and up to 26% if receiving increments. The 5% award made in October 2008, after a 3% increase in May, was by far the highest increase to staff pay in the public services during 2008.

As previously stated, no changes to pay scales at Lancaster will be implemented until discussions are complete.

Hong Kong calling for Lancashire eco companies

North West businesses have been to Hong Kong as part of a Lancaster University project bringing the UK and China closer together - both in the boardroom and in research labs. Preston-based Enviro-systems Ltd and Warrington environmental consultancy Peak Associates joined a business delegation to the city led by Lancaster University’s Environment Centre’s business team. The visit was part of the University’s China Bridge project - a £1.33m Research Council UK Science Bridge award to improve UK innovation links with China to help tackle environmental issues such as global food security and water quality. › To view the full story

Lancaster first for Graduate jobs in the North

Lancaster University is ranked 1st in the North for graduate jobs and 13th nationally in the Sunday Times University Guide. A total of 81.5 per cent of graduates from Lancaster are in a graduate level job six months after graduating according to this year’s Guide. This compares well with an 85.3 per cent rate of graduate level employment for both Oxford and Cambridge, which are jointly ranked sixth. Lancaster’s success in the graduate employment market is being further improved with a new initiative administered by the University’s Centre for Enterprise, Employability and Careers (CEEC). The Lancaster Award prepares students for the job market by ensuring they develop the skills employers want, whether through work experience, volunteering or social activities. › To view the full story

Voice Your View At Lancaster Library

The Department of Computing at InfoLab21 is involved in a pioneering project called “Voice Your View” at Lancaster library to enable people to leave feedback on the recent renovation of the building. Starting on Monday, November 23, library users will be able to leave feedback visible to all on a large TV screen. They will be able to record their views via telephone before a computer converts their words into a written message. Everyone in the library will be able to see the comments appear on large plasma TV screens where a glowing orb on-screen will be used to signal the mood of the participants, with a green orb for positive remarks and a red orb for negative ones. “Voice Your View” is funded by the EPSRC as part of the Digital Economy programme. › To view the full story

Postgraduate portal to go live

The University is about to launch a new Postgraduate Admissions System, a project which has been led by Professor Steve Bradley. This will result in improved service and processes for both applicants and staff. Applicants will be encouraged to apply online through a new, improved online application portal called ‘MyLancaster admissions’. This will have several new features, including the ability for applicants to upload documents and to monitor the progress of their application. Applications will be made through this portal, which includes extensive information about being a postgraduate at Lancaster. Postgraduate Admissions has also moved to a Faculty based model, with new teams who are now processing applications. This will improve turnaround times, and leave departments with more time for conversion activity to encourage students to make Lancaster their first choice. The system has been rigorously tested and performance will be kept under review in the next few weeks. Students have also been involved in the testing. Once the system is launched, it will be available to applicants from the Postgraduate Courses link on the main university website.

High praise for InfoLab21

InfoLab21 has won praise from one of the largest software companies in the world. On October 23 InfoLab21 hosted the 2009 SAP UK and Ireland University Alliances Academic Forum which brought together around 55 participants from academia and industry. SAP is the third largest software vendor in the world and the SAP University Alliance is the largest academic/business collaboration in the world. Martin Gollogly, Director of the SAP University Alliance Program, said: “Lancaster is a key partner and I have found the faculty to be professional and enthusiastic with some of the most lucid and insightful students. It has always been a pleasure to work with them. I am also very pleased to be able to make use of the excellent facilities at Lancaster's InfoLab21. We have used the facilities in the past for workshops and conferences and have been looking forward to returning.” InfoLab21 is Lancaster University’s world-class ICT Centre of Excellence being a well equipped, high-tech environment providing ICT support for businesses. It also offers business incubation facilities, ICT education and training, research and development.

Lancaster in the news

Lancaster in the news - The Press Office monitors all media coverage and this is a selection of stories from the past week including Dr Mark Sebba on BBC Radio 1 Extra and law graduate Mike Pullen in The Times.

People

Relate, the UK’s largest provider of relationship counselling, has appointed Professor Cary Cooper CBE, Professor of Organisational Psychology & Health and Pro Vice Chancellor of Lancaster University, as President following the charity’s annual general meeting. Professor Cooper will be actively involved in profile raising and fundraising for the organisation. As President he will champion the work of Relate to his wide range of contacts across government, academia and the private sector. › To view the full story

Professor Jeffrey Richards (History) will present a programme that he has written for BBC Radio 4's Archive Hour on Saturday 14th November (repeated on Monday 16th November at 3pm). The programme called 'Radio Hollywood' has been chosen as choice of the week in the Radio Times.

Professor Paul Farley (English & Creative Writing) took part in a special edition of Front Row (BBC Radio 4, Friday 30th October) live from the BBC's Maida Vale studios, reporting on their 75-year history of recording and broadcasting classical, pop and radiophonic music, and radio drama. Paul, who has had plays produced at Maida Vale, was invited to write a poem ‘in session’ about the studios, on air, with fellow guests musician Jarvis Cocker, actor Bill Paterson and composer Anthony Payne.

LEC technician Dave Hughes has had a graphic novel published, entitled Thomas Wogan is Dead. The novel, which follows the character Thomas Wogan , in the form of a comic strip , has had good reviews, which can be found on Dave’s blog. The book is available from campus and Lancaster branch of Waterstones and online with Amazon. Dave also does the monthly cartoons for Geoscientist magazine.

Notices

GP Surgery closure

The GP Practice on campus will be closed on Thursday 19th November from 8.30am until 4.30pm. All GP and Nurse appointments will be at the King Street Surgery. This is due to works being undertaken by United Utilities.

Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2010

Times Higher Education has decided to end the arrangement it had with QS, which produced its annual World University Rankings and from 2010, the annual Times Higher Education World University Rankings will be produced in partnership with Thomson Reuters

The THE is now working with Thomson Reuters, an editorial board of higher education experts, and the wider university community, to develop a new and improved ranking methodology.

The THE have launched a special section of their website to post regular updates on progress towards the improved rankings, and to allow an open readers’ forum to critique the old rankings methodology (2004-2009) and to debate the best way forward. There will also launch a new regular column in the magazine.

Staff Recruitment - Closing Dates for Advertised Posts

Implementation of the new e-Recruitment system (Stonefish) is underway and all advertised posts from 1 January 2010, will be processed using the new system. To ensure a managed transfer to the Stonefish system, it will be necessary for all posts advertised in 2009, to have closing dates for the receipt applications no later than 31 December 2009. For further information please contact Ruth Fielding (r.fielding@lancaster.ac.uk) or David Owen (a.d.owen@lancaster.ac.uk) in HR.

Advance Notice of Essential Electricity Shutdowns Monday 28th December – Thursday 31st December 2009

The Facilities Infrastructure team will be carrying out major maintenance to all electrical substations on campus between Monday 28th December and Thursday 31st December 2009. All areas of the University campus will be without electricity at different times during this period, ranging from 1 hour to 6 hours, dependent on the work being carried out in each individual substation. We are currently working on a detailed programme to avoid disruption where possible and will be in touch before the end of November with these details. The information will also be available on the Facilities campus works website

Car Parking

• Staff Preference, Staff Standard and Student Standard permits have all sold out. Pay and display facilities can be used if a parking space is available.
• A permit waiting list for staff is in operation. Please contact the Car Parking Office on 92179 for more details.
• Save money, park more easily and make new friends by car sharing to work - Sharedwheels car sharing website: www.sharedwheels.co.uk
• You should usually find parking spaces available at the bottom of Alexandra Park, if nowhere else on campus. All University parking permits, scratchcards and pay & display tickets are valid there. Please only park in marked car parking bays or designated temporary car parks. Inappropriate parking will not be tolerated.
• For more information visit the car parking website.

Cycling on Bailrigg Lane

Please could cyclists take extra care when cycling down the driveway of The Croft and entering Bailrigg Lane. This is a public highway and cars are often parked here narrowing the road. Please STOP at the junction onto Bailrigg Lane. This request is made by Scotforth Parish Council and residents of Bailrigg Lane who are concerned about the safety of cyclists. Lights must be used in dark conditions at all times, including on on-road cycle paths. Please use your bell to warn others of your presence, particularly on blind corners. Lancaster City Council is running a campaign to encourage cyclists to be safe and use lights in the dark. For money off vouchers for bike lights visit.

LICA - Access ramp and step closure

From Monday 16 November 2009 the LICA contractor is closing the accessible ramp and steps that lead up to the Piazza. This is for construction Heath and Safety reasons to allow service work to take place in the area. Until now the contractor has maintained access but is no longer able to do so in order to maintain the contractual programme. The alternative accessible route is via the ramp adjacent to the Great Hall. We apologise for any inconvenience caused, for more information on the LICA project please visit the Facilities - Projects website

ISS move

Last weekend, some groups of ISS staff moved into their new building. This weekend, the LUSI Team will move from the Reception Building , TIG (Systems) will relocate from the Computer Centre and half of the Learning Technology group will leave Furness. The ISS Service Desk has already been relocated to the Learning Zone from the Library. Please note that the new telephone numbers for Learning Technology (they range from 10651 to 10657) are as published in this year’s University Telephone Directory. Learning Technology’s former telephone numbers will continue to work for the next 6 months.

Conferences

Lancaster University Conferences are now offering a new hourly room hire rate for syndicate rooms at Lancaster House Conference Centre, and Meeting Rooms 5 & 6 at Bailrigg Conference Centre. The rate is £20.00 per hour. For more details or to make a booking please contact Emma Parker, One Stop Shop Coordinator, ext 92444, e.l.parker@lancaster.ac.uk.

WHAT'S ON

For a full list of all items submitted for What's On, please see the Arts and Seminars & Lectures LU News web pages.

ImaginationLancaster presents a lecture by David Constantine of Motivation UK

“Is he a Peasant or just Abnormal?” Mobility for Inclusion – Design for mobility solutions in less resourced settings. David, Co-Founder and Executive Officer of Motivation UK will discuss how Motivation started with a simple design and turned it into fully functioning programmes delivering quality of life for people with disabilities.

• Drinks reception 6.00pm, followed by lecture 6.30 - 7.30pm
• Wednesday 2 December 2009
• Lancaster University Management School (LUMS) LT3, Lancaster University Open to all.

If you wish to attend, please contact ImaginationLancaster to ensure your place.

Learning community seminar

Contrasting interpretations of the ‘learning community’, presented by Michael Reynolds, CSALT, Department of Educational Research, Lancaster University. Wednesday 18th November 2009, 12.30-2.00 p.m., IAS MR1. Department of Educational Research Seminar Series. Everyone welcome. For more information contact Dee Daglish d.daglish@lancaster.ac.uk, or go to the events section on the Department of Educational Research website.

Centre for the Enhancement of Learning and Teaching Voice workshop

Beyond pain, strain & monotony: finding and supporting your voice in classroom & presentation settings.

• Thursday 19th November 12:00-13:00
• Session leader: Allison Hui (Sociology)

The voice is a valuable tool for lecturers and presenters of all types, and yet it is often only addressed when it is seen to have problems. This session will provide a basic introduction into factors affecting vocal production, including body-voice connection and breathing. Please see the CELT web calendar for more details and to book your place. Enquiries can be addressed to Helen Griffiths at professionalprogrammes@lancaster.ac.uk

Lectures & Seminars

ADVERTS

All adverts - posted by staff.