From Professor Richard Reece | Deputy Vice-Chancellor Education and Student Experience

As you will have heard, the Government announced last night that the final stage of lockdown easing will not take place until at least 19 July 2021. This means that current coronavirus rules will remain for a further four weeks from 21 June.

While not the news we wanted to hear, we all need to continue to play our part by following Government guidelines throughout what we all hope will be the final stage of the current restrictions; thanks again to all of you for your continued cooperation in this.

Staff Return to Campus

The delayed date means that our roadmap for return to campus has changed and staff who are able to work at home should continue to do so until 19 July.

Do remember that while many will still need to work from home for now, our campuses are open with all social-distancing measures in place – if you want to come in to meet a friend or colleague and see our campuses in the sun, then please do so.

Get Tested for Covid-19

The current enhanced Covid-19 testing period led by Public Health England and Kent County Council ends today, so a huge thank you to everyone who has either taken part in this or supported others to do so. Regular testing remains hugely important for those working or accessing campus – asymptomatic Covid-19 testing is available either on site at both our Canterbury and Medway campuses or using take-home tests.

Kent Summer Fest

Thanks to some careful planning by the project team, we are delighted to still be able to welcome students and staff for our Kent Summer Fest celebrations from 21 June to 2 July, with events largely outdoors and planned with Covid in mind. We are hoping to have a real buzz about the place once more and I look forward to seeing some of you there.

As well as work to support you all with coming back onto campus, we will also shortly share plans for a staff get together later in the summer so we can thank you in person for your continued hard work in what has been such an incredibly challenging year.

With all best wishes,

Richard

Professor Richard Reece | Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Chair of Covid-19 Silver Command

The Joint Staff Negotiating and Consultation Committee (JSNCC) is the main forum for consultation between the University and its staff on matters of mutual interest.

Staff membership of the committee comprises representatives of each of the trade unions and four representatives of non-union staff: two from the professional services and research support staff in grades 1 to 6; and two from the academic, research and professional services staff in grades 7 and above.

One of the current representatives, Jon King, is leaving the University in August so nominations are now invited for one position to represent staff grade 7 and above. Staff members working within Grade 7 and above are encouraged to apply.

Nominations can be made by responding to the nomination email sent on 14 June. All nominations must be proposed and seconded by two other staff members and nominees must confirm that they agree to be nominated. The deadline for completed nomination forms is 17.00 on Monday 28 June 2021.

Why join the JSNCC?

Acting as a staff representative is interesting and rewarding. It provides the opportunity to discuss and comment on University plans and policies, meet a wide range of new people and gain valuable personal development. Training and support will be provided to the successful candidate.

Further information about the JSNCC and the nomination and election processes can be found on the JSNCC website or by contacting HR via ERBP@kent.ac.uk

Article by Jan Moriarty, Co-Chair of the LGBT+ Staff Network:

On 1 June, I got to reflecting about Pride Month and why it’s so important to me that we celebrate and commemorate our community, past and present.

I was brought up in the 1960’s and 70’s. When we look back through rose-tinted media glasses, those were supposed to be the days when you could be who you wanted to be, express yourself in myriad ways, shrug off the confines of social expectations. In reality, life in a Catholic, northern family didn’t quite have the freedoms of a new social era and there were very many expectations of behaviour. I’m not crying about it; I didn’t even notice it at the time.

I grew up straight, in a straight world, where it was fine to think about having a job, but you still had to know how to cook and clean and iron your future husband’s shirts! A world where American Tan tights (google it) were the expected uniform for young women (true story!). I saw education as my way out. What could be less confrontational than to leave home for university? I knew I was never going back.

I’d like to say that I started reinventing myself the moment I boarded the train to London with two stupidly heavy suitcases, but I was a very uncool student just as I had been a very uncool child. I studied hard, made friends, but I was no rising star. Then one day in 1985, a chance meeting changed my world. Suddenly there were colours, rainbow colours, and I discovered my true self.

The transformation was root and branch; my straight friends reacted badly, my family even worse. But LGBT+ people made me feel unique, wanted, part of a bigger family, one where difference is celebrated. The LGBT+ community is one of the most diverse, all-embracing, inclusive communities on the planet. The + is very important. The ability to self-define and still be accepted is a fundamental part of this community, which is what makes it so very special. And it’s not just about who’s allowed in; it’s about the support once you arrive. We look after each other, support each other, and use discrimination against us as fuel to support other minoritised groups.

I’ve stood on the shoulders of LGBT+ people who have gone before me, who refused to be boxed in to a hetero-normative world. And, in my turn, I have marched and campaigned for LGBT+ rights that young people can now take for granted. And the struggle is not over; it will never be over.

So Pride Month is important to me because that’s when I feel closest to my community. My LGBT+ family from 1980’s London is now scattered across the world, others we lost in the last pandemic: HIV/AIDS. But wherever I am, knowing that the core nature of this community is to protect its own and speak its truth gives me a sense of balance and belonging. It gives me a sense of Pride.

Get educated (the easy way):

June is Pride Month

As we near the end of our financial year (31 July 2021), colleagues are reminded of the continued need to limit our non-pay spend.

Lockdown rules may have been gradually relaxed and travel become less restricted, but we are still working within extremely challenging financial conditions.

To help minimise our non-pay spend, a number of controls introduced last year remain in place, including:

• Credit card use restricted to a small number of nominated areas
• Limited travel, especially overseas (see below)
• ‘No PO, No Pay’ process still applies

New travel policy

Following the UK Government’s recent relaxation of travel rules, our Procurement team has published an updated policy on staff travel during 2021-22.

The new policy states that staff should travel in the UK and abroad only where absolutely necessary and following detailed risk assessment and latest FCDO guidance.

Travel requests will have to be approved by your line manager or director. The expectation is that travel will be much lower in the financial year 2021-22 than in pre-pandemic years.

University taxi service

A new contract for University taxi services went live in May 2021.

A single monthly invoice for each section of the University is now paid from a single purchase order each month. This will reduce the number of card transactions, very low value invoices and expense claims for taxis. Our new taxi suppliers are:

• Longleys, for journeys around Canterbury, including Canterbury-airport bookings
• Vokes, for journeys around Medway, including Medway-airport bookings

An App will be launched for staff to use shortly. In the meantime, bookings can be made by  telephone and, for cost control purposes, staff will need go through their respective Division bookers.

IR35 legislation

From 6 April 2021, there are extra responsibilities when deciding whether off-payroll working rules apply. This is where consultants or contractors engage with the University through an intermediary, such as a Personal Service company. Further information is available on the Procurement webpages.

Best practice guidance

Our Procurement Team has put together a comprehensive guide to best practice in purchasing goods and services on the University’s behalf.

The new Procurement Manual takes account of changes in legislation post-Brexit and includes easy access to key information, as well as a list of contracts to help you choose which suppliers to use. The Manual will be updated and republished on an annual basis.

Click on a PDF version of the Procurement Manual, or find the latest guidance under a new Procurement Manual tab on the Procurement webpages.

The Constructing Excellence SECBE Awards recognise and celebrate the very best companies, collaborations and projects from across the London & South East region.  This year the University of Kent has made it through as a finalist in the Client of the Year category.  The nomination was submitted by Willmott Dixon to demonstrate their collaboration with the Estates Department on the construction of Sibson, Kennedy and Kent and Medway Medical School (KMMS).

The judging panel, consisting of four industry professionals, were impressed with the presentation given by Mark Ashmore, Project Manager in Estates and sent Kent through to the final voting round for the People’s Choice Award.  The voting is now open and you can show your support by using the button at the bottom of the SECBE Awards 2021 finalist University of Kent blog.

Voting closes at 16.45 on Thursday 1 July and will be announced at the Virtual Summit & Awards Ceremony held that day.

Our official Employee Assistance Programme provider, Care first offers a numbers of services and provide useful advice and support, including weekly webinars.

This week’s (Monday 14 June – Friday 18 June) webinars are as follows:

Monday 14 June 2021 – ‘How Care first can support you’
Time: 12.00-12.30 – to register please click on this Go to webinar link

Tuesday 15 June 2021 – ‘Men’s Health Awareness’
Time: 12.00-12.30 – to register please click on this Go to webinar link

Wednesday 16 June 2021 – ‘How to identify if someone in the Workplace is struggling with their
Mental Health’
Time: 12.00-12.30 – to register please click on this Go to webinar link

Thursday 17 June 2021 – ‘Ways to avoid feeling isolated whilst continuing to work from home’
Time: 12.00-12.30 – to register please click on this Go to webinar link

Friday 18 June 2021 – ‘The Possible emergence of a Mental Health Pandemic’
Time: 12.00-12.30 – to register please click on this Go to webinar link

Are you a member of staff with 5+ years of experience teaching or supporting learning? Find out more about HEA Fellowship at our introductory workshop.

The University of Kent’s Route to Recognition for Experienced Staff (RRES) is a non-taught recognition scheme for experienced staff (academic, support, technical, PGRs) with a minimum of five years’ experience of leading, teaching and/or supporting learning in higher education.

HEA Fellowship demonstrates a personal and institutional commitment to professionalism in learning and teaching in higher education.  Fellowship can help staff:

• Consolidate personal development and evidence of professional practice in your higher education career.
• Demonstrate commitment to teaching, learning and the student experience through engagement in a practical process that encourages research, reflection and development.

Fellowship is increasingly sought by employers across the higher education sector as a condition of appointment and promotion and is recognised and valued by a growing number of international institutions.

The workshop, led by Julia Hope, will take place via TEAMS on the 5 of July from 11.00 – 12.30. You can join the Team here.  

The session will include:

• how to apply and the application process
• what evidence you will need to put into your application
• the nature and role of the referees,
• the internal assessment process, and further support available for applicants
• an opportunity for Q&A, both as a group and individually

If you wish to attend, email recognition@kent.ac.uk to book a place.

If you are unsure which category of HEA fellowship you should claim for, have a go at the Fellowship Category tool. This self-analysis tool will ask about your professional activities in teaching and/or supporting learning in higher education. You will be asked about the range of activities you undertake in your practice.

International Partnerships hosted a two-day online engagement event for the University’s partners across the world at the end of May.

‘International Partnerships in Tomorrow’s World’ focused on how international partnerships in higher education have evolved and will continue to do so to meet the challenges of a post-Brexit and post-Covid landscape.

The event was an opportunity to share key developments at Kent, including the latest information on the UK’s Turing mobility scheme.

Debate and discussion followed, focusing on supporting students through international crises, a topic introduced by Philip Pothen as Director of Engagement, and on pertinent issues relating to the evolution of our partnerships. Dr. Anthony Manning (Dean for Internationalisation), Prof. Jeremy Carrette (Dean for Europe) Catherine Morris (Environmental Advisor) and Dr. Phil Anthony (E Learning Technologist) delivered sessions on curriculum internationalisation, the logic of transnational education, sustainability, and supporting staff in the move to online teaching respectively.

Hannah McNorton, Head of International Partnerships, reflecting on the event, said:

‘After what has been a turbulent 18 months, it has been wonderful to connect in this way with our partners, building on the benefits gained from our regular Catch up with Kent events to elevate the University’s activities and key developments across our international networks and connections’

Representatives from over 20 partners registered for the event covering 15 countries.

Alongside the general sessions, James Corbin, Head of Careers and Employability Service gave a presentation on finding online work experience to students from the University of Nairobi, Kenya. This took place in the context of Erasmus+ funded project focusing on supporting employability in the UK and Kenya, awarded to Kent in 2020. Nicola Urquhart, Lecturer in Careers and Employability and other colleagues in Kent Business School will deliver a session to Nairobi staff in the next phase of the project.

For further information about the University’s international partnerships, please contact: internationalpartnerships@kent.ac.uk

Our next staff webchat, on the theme of ‘Kent Summer’, takes place on Teams this Thursday (10 June), from 12.00-13.00.

The webchat focuses on plans to mark the end of summer term with a fortnight of fun and community on our Canterbury and Medway campuses from 21 June to 21 July.

Primarily for students, the wide-ranging programme includes a host of activities, including music, food, sport, outdoor cinema and workshops. Plans may need to be flexed depending on the outcome of the Government’s review of lockdown restrictions next week, but it’s an exciting programme with something for everyone.

The webchat will be chaired as usual by Professor Richard Reece, DVC Education & Student Experience. He will be joined by members of the Kent Summer team, including Victoria Edwards, Sarah Slowe, Richard Bradford, Annikki Laitinen and Jacqui Double.

Ahead of the session, it would be helpful to have as many questions as possible so we can do our best to cover everything in the time. To do this, please sign-up via this form where you can include your question when prompted.

Recordings and slides from all previous sessions are available on our staff webpages.