Volume 14 - 1986/87 - SINEWS

Preamble

I have tried to précis the important points when debates have ensued, as in the last few issues of this year’s SINEWS.  I hope that I have done justice to each of the points of view, but summarizing 800 words into a few sentences, may lead to some form of misrepresentation.   If so, apologies are in order.   Otherwise this is a record of events taking place over the academic year 1986-87 as recorded in SINEWS – excluding articles for sale.

(1)     Jo Ball at the John Adams bookshop thanked tutors for their booklists for the coming year.   Bernard Goswell expressed his appreciation to those who contributed to his retirement present.  Janet Chaundy explained that she was not returning to the college having accepted redeployment to Farnborough College, although she would have preferred to have chosen the time and place of her departure rather than having been ‘pushed’.   Malcolm Mattick, Vice-Chairman, NATFHE, asked what criteria would be applied to those selected for redundancy.

(2)  Terry Murphy reported on national negotiations of conditions of service.

(3)  Albert Roles retirement was reported.   (I had taught his son and also knew that he had played for the Saints  - JR)  Terry Baker reported on the outcome of the negotiations of the ‘cull’ of teaching staff and that NATFHE would only negotiate on behalf of existing members.

(4)  Steve Vincent advertised the Overseas Students Welcome event.   Alan Lawrence took issue with the fact that NATFHE would only negotiate on behalf of its existing members.   Richard Swann gave details of the SCR Association’s AGM.  Sister Jean wrote about the Healthy Slimmers Club meetings,

(5)  Ann Tupper wanted feedback on whether a Christmas Dance was required.  NATFHE news on Structure negotiations took up most of this issue under the headings;  Staff Development and Appraisal, Conditions of Service, Remission, Averaging, Salary Scales, Part-time Lecturers, LEA Discretion.   Maggie Ross advertised a Computer Seminar.

(6)  Richard Swann reported on the SCR Association AGM ; Chairman – Bryan Dowding, Treasurer – Gordon Thick, Secretary – Richard Swann.  A donation system of 4 pounds pa for newspapers etc was suggested.  Steve Woods asked for contributions for the Staff Photographic Exhibition.

(7)  A list of Fitness classes was posted.

(8)  An anonymous (Watter Pratt) diatribe was launched about the Copycards issued to members of staff.  No formal instructions were promulgated by management about the use of the cards, but it has become apparent that they are being used to photocopy material for students – rather than going through the Reprographic channel.  Alan Barham complained bitterly about the service from the Refectory, blaming financial constraints imposed on the Refectory.  Malcolm Mattick gave some thoughts on the negotiations on pay/service.  22 hours of class contact would represent a 29% in workload for a SL  and 46% for a PL.  Norman Davies reported on the Staff Cricket Dinner with the award of   Clubman of the Year to John Hindmoor.  Pam Hughes gave the date for Presentation Day.

(9) Chris Evans requested that contributors to SINEWS should not hide behind anonymity but have the courage of their convictions and make themselves known. Alan Barham protested at the rash of unofficial ‘no smoking’ notices that were appearing on various doors.

(10)  Janice Hurne took issue with Alan Barham’s comments saying that for too long non-smokers have been tolerant of smokers and at last are standing up for the freedom to breathe fresh air.

(11)  A NATFHE meeting will be held on a vote to ban overtime from January next.

(12)  Steve Edwards was trying to track down an A4 manual that had gone missing from the IBM P. C. Room for the continuance of his research.

(13)  The NATFHE vote was 77 in favour of banning overtime and 24 against.

(14)  T. E. Baker as Chairman of the NATFHE branch reported on the 80% national vote in favour of banning extra teaching duties.  He realized that any ban would cause conflicts of loyalty and that there was no simple solution.  He hoped that ‘management’ would be dragged back to negotiations at an early date and things could again revert to normal.  Richard Swann reported that the SCR would be redecorated during the Christmas vacation.  Gladys King thanked all for the retirement gift.  John Gregory drew attention to the International Year of the Homeless about to start.

(15)  The sudden death of Maureen Thornton, secretary to the Financial and Legal Studies Department,  was announced.   Sergeant John signed off with a typical poem and thanked everyone for their good wishes.  Derek Prout advertised the forthcoming Self-Defence Course for Women to be held in the Sports Hall.

(16) Healthy Eating and Fitness courses were advertised.

(17)  An anonymous contribution asked if the new Institute Ethos/Image Working Party could look at the design of next year’s Christmas card because the contributor had  failed to make out what last year’s had to do either with Christmas or the Institute.

(18)  Charles Crutchley gave details of a forthcoming seminar – ‘Smart Cards – not IF but WHEN’.   Sister Jean wrote about a Smokestop class to be started shortly and gave a call for Blood donors.   Colin Dempster advertised the Faculty of Art and Design Open Day.

(19)  Dennis Rutley wrote about a Takeover of Easy Part Errors plc which could be read as describing the current situation of uncertainty existing on the future of the Institute in allegorical terms.

(20)  Malcolm Mattick disputed the Rutley article because it implied ‘a ruthless efficiency, which contradicts the facts.’   Terry Murphy gave an update on the ban on overtime, which had been supported mainly by areas of Engineering, Management and Mathematics.  He berated the efforts of the ‘Academic Leadership Brigade’ to undermine the action by working excessive hours and thought how it would be ironic justice if in future years these hours would be part of their normal timetable – as advocated by our employers.

(21)  The Rugby Club Dinner was advertised.  A Cheese and Wine Party would be held to celebrate the redecoration of the SCR.

(22)  Anne Jefferies and Ron Owen gave details of the election process for NATFHE members to the National Council.  Terry Murphy reported that the employers had agreed to resume negotiations stating that it was important that the overtime ban continue as it had been seminal in bringing about the resumption of the negotiations.   Bob Reeve thanked his colleagues in Art and Design for his retirement gift.

(23)  An IBM Open Day was to be held by Computer Services.  Clive Welsteed wrote about the importance of not turning off radiator valves in rooms deemed too hot . Open a window instead.   Alan Barham put forward a ‘Drinking Strategy’ for the Institute to be in line with the recently published smoking strategy.  It included the daytime closure of all pubs within a mile of the Institute.

(24)  A credit card theft was reported.  It was followed by telephone call from purportedly the bank asking for card details.  Dennis Rutley warned of this scam.

(25)  Ann Davis wrote that many members of staff are ignoring the smoking policy.  Richard Swann informed that the SCR Cheese and wine had been cancelled because of lack of demand for tickets.   Clive Welsteed warned about a spate of thefts currently underway.  Ann Tupper issued a statement on behalf of the APTC members of the Institute that concluded ‘the APTC staff have totally lost confidence in the ability of the Executive of the Institute’.

(26)  The Board of Governors Working Party was soliciting comments from staff on the roles of key personnel and the organization of the Institute.

(27)  Malcolm Robertson commented on the accepted practice of Appraisal being from ‘above’.  However, in the Institute we seem to have accepted Appraisal from ‘below’ – students being asked to evaluate the work of the lecturer.

(28)  Heather Stewart took up Malcom Robertson’s point, defending the use of  any questionnaire saying they were intended to identify shortcomings in the way a course was being run whilst rectification was still possible and worthwhile.  Ray Stewart added that after analysis any questionnaire responses were passed to the lecturer for retention and hence not used to appraise.

(29) Malcolm Robertson gave a robust response to the comments of the previous week including an understanding of questionnaires thanks to his Masters degree in statistics and membership of the Institute of Statisticians.  Connie Fosh from the Careers Office thanked everyone for her gift on her departure.

(30)  The above debate led to an extended issue of Sinews.  Terry Baker made the largest contribution giving a potted history of a previous attempt to use appraisal of teaching staff which was withdrawn at the suggestion that everyone should be appraised.  He dwelt with the shortcomings of the use of questionnaires.  Heather Stewart replied to Malcolm Robertson saying the questionnaire had been approved by the Board of Studies and the process – taking away and returning the following week – allowed for consideration.  Richard Swann gave notice of the SCR party to be held at Townhill Park House.

(31)  A welcome respite from the questionnaire debate came as the first item which was a report from Derek Richards on the staff cricket season so far.  However, a further contribution from Ray Stewart soon resumed the debate .  He implied (after pointing out that he liked Terry Baker and there was no animosity between them) that Terry had misrepresented Heather’s use of student questionnaires as ‘lecturer appraisal’.  Now that a temporary ban had been put on their use, several organizations have expressed their concern.

(32)  Terry Baker drew attention to the recently published White Paper on Higher Education under the heading ‘White Paper – Black Prospects’.   The withdrawal of many colleges engaged in Higher Education from LA responsibility to be put under direct control of central government will threaten job security, salaries, conditions of service and undermine the responsiveness, provision and accountability of these institutions, he stated.

(33)  Keith Freeman gave an update on the situation regarding Peter Waterman, senior technician in the Design Department.  Peter has been in a coma in Salisbury Hospital after his fall from a cliff in Polperro 12 weeks before.   He included a messge of thanks from Peter’s parents.  He also reported on the death of Bert Beck a former senior lecturer in machine printing.

(34)  Don Robertson appealed for volunteers at the Southampton Education Information Centre for Adults caravan from August 24^th to September 5^th.

(35)  Alan Lawrence noted that the recent revamping of the Erection (sic) Shop had cost public money only now, if rumour is correct , to be changed into a computer area.

(36)  Derek Richards gave his final report of the staff cricket team’s season.  Named players in his summary included Ian Tromans (broken finger), Dave Clark (a winning six with five balls to spare), John Ghey (batting and bowling), Norman Davies (bowling), Tony Acland (bowling), John Hindmoor  (batting).  Dennis Rutley thanked Ann Richards for arranging and typing SINEWS.

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