The University is introducing PensionsPlus to help offset the cost of saving for your retirement.

PensionsPlus is a new way to make contributions to your pension scheme, which reduces your National Insurance deductions and means you take home more pay than you would outside of PensionsPlus.

The salary exchange scheme will cover two of the University pension schemes – SAUL and USS – and takes effect from February 2020.

How PensionsPlus works:

-You agree to exchange a portion of your salary equivalent to your member pension contribution, thereby reducing your gross basic salary

-The University pays the same amount on your behalf to the pension scheme

-Both you and the University pay less National Insurance on the reduced salary

-The amount going into your pension is the same, but your take-home pay is greater than it would be outside of PensionsPlus

-Tax relief on your pension contributions remains unchanged.

All eligible staff will be opted into PensionsPlus from 1 February 2020 unless they choose to opt out. Staff who may request a refund of pension contributions within the first two years of pension membership should note that PensionsPlus places a restriction on refunds.

Further information on the way PensionsPlus works, as well as details of briefings and drop-in sessions for staff during December and January, are available on the PensionsPlus webpages.

From Thursday 21 November, the iCASS online accident/incident reporting system will be unavailable in preparation for the launch of the new system, eSAFETY, on 4 December.

During this time, when an incident occurs, please complete and retain one copy of the Interim Report form for inputting into eSAFETY when it’s launched.  This form can be accessed via a button on the front page of the SHE Unit website.

Please send a copy of each completed form by email to Julie Martin AND Angela Hewlett-Day or via internal post to the SHE Unit at Keynes College. It’s important that they receive these as soon as possible after the incidents for monitoring purposes.

When eSAFETY is up and running please enter the details of each incident from the form into the new system, so that the appropriate notification emails can be sent.  This cannot be done by the SHE Unit as, in a similar way to iCASS, the notification emails are linked to the person entering the details.

Further information will be issued to confirm the eSAFETY launch.

In the latest episode of the Nostalgia podcast series, Chris Deacy, Head of the Department of Religious Studies, interviews Dr Patty Baker, Senior Lecturer in Classical & Archaeological Studies and School Equality, and Diversity and Inclusivity Representative.

Patty, who is originally from Pennsylvania, has been at Kent for 18 years. In this episode, the pair talk about Pennsylvania, the concept of ‘home’, running into people from your past, the different dreams that we chase, visiting exotic places, Patty’s love of the sea, sailing and flower arranging, gardens in the ancient world, the History teacher who made the subject come alive, voting in the UK and US, marching in Washington, why Patty likes reading obituaries, her dream trip to the South Pacific, what her 15-year-old self would think about what she is doing now, and why Patty is a looking forward type of person.

On Friday 22 November, Chris will be running ‘Nostalgia Night’. This will be a free evening of live music, readings, clips, interviews and interactions celebrating the pull of Nostalgia in shaping us as human beings – which will be taking place in the Colyer-Fergusson Hall at 19.30.

It is a common feature of gender equality events that most of the attendees are women so we often miss out on the male voice when discussing issues that affect us all such as work-life balance, wellbeing and workplace culture.

Last year the Athena SWAN team addressed this by surveying* our male colleagues on their experience of gender equality in the workplace.

This year we are using the occasion of International Men’s Day to hold a panel and audience discussion, on the key themes arising from the survey:

• Does it feel that gender equality initiatives are targeted only at women?
• Is there a macho culture that prevents an inclusive one?
• What is it like being a Dad at the University?

The event is being held in Grimond Lecture Theatre 3, Tuesday 19 November. Teas, coffees and afternoon treats from 14.30 and discussion 15.00-16.00.

Everyone is welcome! Book your place and pass on the details to any colleagues you think may be interested.

*You can read more about the responses to our gender equality surveys on our Equality Matters blog.

The Centre for Study of Higher Education (CSHE) is very proud to announce that AdvanceHE now recognises 77% of the University’s academic and teaching staff as Associate Fellows (32%), Fellows (63%), Senior Fellows (4.6 %) or Principal Fellows (5). This is well above the sector average of 47% and been achieved through a number of nationally recognised programmes, including the taught postgraduate certificate in higher education (PGCHE) and related programmes for early career academics. 

The new Route to Recognition for Experienced Staff (RRES), launched in 2017, has also contributed to this success. CSHE has trained staff as internal assessors and mentors for RRES, and successfully supported a 5-fold increase in Senior Fellows at Kent. This positive upward trajectory from 32% in 2015-16 means that the University is close to achieving its ambitious target of 80% of our teaching staff being qualified by 2020.

The University Carol Service in Canterbury Cathedral is at 8pm on Monday 2 December. This annual event, partly lit by candle-light, will feature the University Chamber Choir and other performances as well as traditional carols and readings. The charity collection will be for Porchlight, addressing homelessness in East Kent.

Admission is by free ticket only, and ticket requests from staff are welcome until Friday 22 November. Details are available at the Event’s page. 

Contact: Revd Dr Stephen Laird

Gulbenkian’s Christmas Season 2019 is a scrumptiously festive selection box of treats! From merry music gigs, festive family events to comedy nights full of Christmas cheer, Gulbenkian has Christmas all wrapped up this December.

The Gulbenkian café is putting a special festive twist on their menu throughout December including pigs in blankets, pizza for mischievous little elves and a turkey and cranberry sauce burger fit for a king.

 To see full listings and purchase tickets please visit the Gulbenkian’s website or call 01227 769075.

Colleagues are invited to the CSHE Seminar titled ‘Concerns about racism in our teaching and seminar discussions’ presented by Professor Miri Song, SSPSSR. The seminar takes places on Thursday 21 November 2019, 1pm-2pm in the UELT Seminar Room, Canterbury Campus

Given the plethora of claims made about racism across a wide variety of social spheres in contemporary Britian, how do we as teachers and researchers deal with what can sometimes feel like a minefield? How do we balance concerns about addressing forms of racism with the need to preserve healthy debate and the exchange of views in the university context?

To confirm your attendance please complete the online booking form.