All University staff recently received an email from the Vice-Chancellor regarding the results of the national Student Survey. The local executive responded to the email as set out below. We will let you know if we get a reply.
Dear April,
We welcome the update from you sent to all staff in the light of the publication of the NSS figures. We agree that it is regrettable that the University has dropped in the table, but we are sure you will agree that this is a somewhat blunt instrument for measuring the performance of staff. So while we join with you in congratulating those departments who have managed to increase their overall satisfaction rating, we also recognise the efforts of all staff across the University whether those efforts have been reflected in the NSS or not.
We are sure that results in the NSS are not the sole drivers for investment plans, and the views of current students and staff are at least as important in shaping investment planning. We welcome the increased investment in the University and its estate and infrastructure which are to the benefit of staff and students, as long as the level of investment is sustainable for the future of the University.
There some other points that you brought to our attention in your email and we would like to comment on these:
1. Forward planning is essential to the future of the University and it is our view that it was a lack of forward planning that led to the avoidable problems with the timetable last year. We are glad to see that valuable lessons have been learnt.
2. Have detailed plans for the transport to/from Llanbadarn to other campuses been published? If so where? And what steps have been taken to improve the security and safety of those cycling and walking between the town and the campus, and between campuses?
3. To what extent (and by what means) were staff consulted during the drawing up of the Capital Projects Plan, which be published shortly?
4. What will be the recognised staff representation on the Student Experience and Enhancement group which is to be convened?
5. We recently dropped from 133rd to 135th in the People and Planet Green League for Universities. Bangor are 20th and we are the lowest in Wales. Can we please have a detailed response to this sad fact? AU should be leading the way in the area, given IGES and IBERS research into carbon emissions and Climate Change and it is unfortunate to see that we are major contributors to global warming amongst the Universities of the UK, and apparently among the least concerned to put this right, despite our valuable research in the area.
We look forward to your responses to these points, and to a continuing positive dialogue with you and the executive of the University.
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