Volume 2 - 1974/75 - NEWSCOT

(1)  Jill Parkinson gave details of two social evenings for the new overseas students.  Tickets were available for the Christmas Ball (£1.00 to include band, cabaret, buffet and free draw for prizes).  Comings and goings were detailed;  Jill Bazire (new accommodations officer), Gillian Oliver (Library Assistant), Graham Hayes and Mrs Horrill (Technicians) have arrived and Eve Richardson (Library), Liz Greenyer and Christine Grigg (General Office) were departing.

(2)  The cost of printing the College coloured leaflets for Full and Sandwich Courses meant that a more serviceable document was needed called The College Prospectus of Full time and Sandwich Courses which would incorporate the leaflet information – now in black and white.  Ginny May found that it was a nice welcome back to the college to find soft toilet paper in the Ladies Staff toilet. New teaching staff were welcomed  Messrs  Pritchard, Petruv, King, Edwards, Palmer, Russell, Calcutt, McMurray, Payne and Mrs Davis (for one year).

(3)  Bob Watmough suggested a new game to brighten things up – racing a cyclist through the car exit barrier.  The loser either has a cracked skull or a dented car roof.  30 camp beds were installed in the Sports hall as temporary accommodation for new students.  Language classes for staff were advertised.

(4)  R J H  (Safety Officer) asked staff to give students a copy of the College Safety Code.  The success of the Overseas Students Induction Evenings was reported.  Maurice Cope queried about the new Hampshire Conditions of Service.  Ann Tupper appealed for support for the Hospital Broadcasting Service.  Under Coming Events for the coming week nine were advertised from a Royal College of Music recital to talks about films and listening to records.

(5)  Laboratory and Workshop staff were reminded of their duty to foresee risks, devise precautions etc for the safety of students in the light of a recent court case of neglect to do those things.  In the light of the sugar shortage and the restriction to just two lumps per canteen cup, a price reduction should be in order wrote Dennis Rutley.

(6)  The case of the Refuse Lorry leaving by the IN gate was raised as well as the height of the shrubs by the EXIT gate.  Robin Shell was welcomed as a Careers Advisor for Hampshire who was now based in the college.  The Safety Officer reported that since July colleges were subject to Statutory Safety Provisions.

(7)  Quotes from the Minutes of the Emergency General Meeting of Students Union noted a proposal that the College of Art should become a School of Technology and that the crisis topic of student accommodation was not discussed at yesterday’s  meeting of the Board of Governors.  Ann Davis asked if there was a local rule that new members of staff must not be spoken to in the Common Room.  Lee Vaux vented forth on the Refuse Lorry situation and asked for clarification on where the offending shrubbery is since there is none to the right of the exit which is the only way drivers have to look, having to turn left.

(8)  Frank Wright wrote of the futility of the economy measures plea from the chief Education Officer as lights still blaze in empty sun-lit classrooms.  Margaret Gordon advertised her chalet at Mudeford for £950.  The College Nurse reported 108 pints of blood collected at the recent session in the Mountbatten Theatre.  The Safety Officer asked for all accidents to be reported.  Last year only 21 were reported.  Doreen asked when we can expect a cheerful word from Lee Vaux.

(9)  Lee Vaux responded to Doreen – ‘Somebody has to moan and get nasty to get people to do things.  It’s all too easy to let things slide……..’  George Roberts felt he had to challenge Lee Vaux’s remarks about putting up with the Refuse Lorry situation because of the potential danger of the arrangement.  The Academic Board was to circulate the report on Staff Development.  The need to form some sort of Research Association was also mentioned.  A working party was to be set up to look at the deployment of academic staff among the College Departments.

(10) Once again Lee Vaux gave a detailed account of the procedure for the Refuse Lorry.  As to the shrubbery ’16 months ago I had all the lavender bushes dug up and removed on the left of the exit to facilitate drivers seeing pedestrians on the pavement.  The view is excellent, pedestrians being I view from the waist upwards, unless they are midgets.’  The college sergeants requested that their new New Road office should not be seen as a repository for cases, bags, musical instruments etc.  Ginny May’s impending departure to Canada was mentioned.

(11) The ‘midgets’ remark by Lee Vaux occasioned several   comments.  John Ghey (most children are about the same size as midgets), Hugh Adams (midgets are nearer all the dirt about the place) and Three Midgets (would it be possible to have snorkels provided for those people using the path alongside the Mountbatten Theatre in wet weather?)  Terry Murphy reported that the ATTI anticipated a 38 week academic year in 1975.  The Link Block Gallery staff noticed the Vice-Principal’s car in the Disabled Drivers’ car parking space. ‘May we, sir, please offer our sympathies?’

(12) All the College Ball tickets had been sold.  The Music Group had been practising Carols and now needed some volunteers to sing them.  Doreen – responsible for the layout and typing of NEWSCOT – was thanked on her departure from the college for her sterling efforts.

(13)  THERE IS NO RECORD OF THIS EDITION

(14)  Dennis Rutley noted that last week’s edition had been wrongly numbered (12 instead of 13) which normally, had it been a postage stamp, would have made it a valuable edition.  (EVEN MORE VALUABLE SINCE DENNIS DID NOT INCLUDE THIS IN THE RECORDS).  The Christmas holiday dates for the non-teaching staff were announced.  Chief Technicians, Eric Roe and Albert Roles, now shared an office.  Paul Spellman, Frank Pratt, Simon Brown – the Honorary Chaplains – gave details of the Christmas Event to be held in the Mountbatten Theatre.

(15)  Bob Corlett reminded staff that Minutes from all relevant meetings (Governors’, Academic Board etc) were all kept in the Library.  Jill Bazire gave a report about the lighter side of the Accommodation problems by quoting from landladies and students.  John Blizzard, C.R. Ford,D. W. Mitchell and M A. Baggs took strong issue with comments made by Dennis Rutley concerning the Christmas Event.  In turn Dennis Rutley took space to defend his comments.

(16) A new year.  Someone wanted information about the progress of the Federation with other colleges. A belated welcome for Mrs Margaret Bevis as the new Academic Registrar.  She already has had her wallet stolen from her handbag in her office.  Other welcomes for Doreen Hendy (clerical assistant), Angela Gregory (punch card operator), Sandra Holditch (secretary to the Academic Registrar) Mr. A. Gilbert (School of Business Studies).  Leavers included  Dave Barker (Law)  Alan Munford (Maths), Max Planitz, Brian Fletcher and Peter Maggs (retired). A plea was made by a teaching member of staff for a quiet place to work.

(17) Arthur Parr reported that the DES has expressed considerable doubts about the possibility of establishing a viable federation of ALL Southampton colleges into an Institute.  Joint provision of courses between SCOT and LSU was to be encouraged but not considered as a Federation.  The Academic  Board at its meeting on January 9^th agreed to recommend a merger of SCOT, SCOA and the School of Navigation to the Governors.  Dennis Rutley had heard the intermittent bell warning that there was a bomb scare but omitted to send his students home, not having read Addendum Sheet No 1. carefully enough – but he had shut all the windows.

(18) The car park barrier by the College of Art would now be manned daily.  No admittance without a college car park sticker.  Robin Shell advertised the build up of career information in the college careers office.

(19)  Bill Macey asked if anyone had any ideas about what the college structure should be for discussion by the Working Party.  A Cheese and Wine party in the Senior Common Room was advertised.

(20)  ‘Has the lecturer who uses Room B011 on a Tuesday afternoon special dispensation to smoke his pipe while he is teaching?’ wrote Con fumo publico.

(21) Conditions of Service were agreed between the ATTI and the LEAs.  David Vardy becomes a Senior Technician.  The SCR Newspapers are currently funded by the profits made from the sale of SCR coffee.  However, many staff are reading the newspapers but buying their coffee in the Refectory.  Suggestions are invited.  Dennis Rutley was concerned about the plume of black smoke emerging from the college that he noticed as he cycled from Bitterne station.

(22)  The re-emergence of SCOT to be edited by Bob Corlett and Margaret Bevis was announced.  Registers were an issue – how to fill in correctly (Maurice Cope), needed at all (Dennis Rutley)?  A Resuscitation methods course was to be organised using the inflatable dummy  (“regretfully, not the one advertised in Playboy’ R. J. Hailes)

(23) Ernie Haine and Jeff Weight were congratulated on graduation from the Open University.  The Administration staff wrote in verse about running a course about registers.  A list of 18 car registrations not displaying the college red identity car parking stickers..

(24)  Adam Herbertson wanted to know how much longer ‘the framed monstrosities’ were going to litter the corridor walls in the vicinity of the college offices.  Peggy Souter pointed out that someone in authority had lengthened the Christmas vacation by one week.  Other holiday changes were also afoot.  The effect on students was mentioned since it would impinge on exam revision times etc.

(25) Peggy Souter wanted to know why the trees at the front of the college had been cut  down and what were the new ones. Ivan Champion asked for a Referendum to establish when lecturers would prefer the extra weeks holiday  (Harold Wilson had just proposed an National Referendum on the Common Market.  That would cost 8 million pounds.  Ivan suggested a college referendum could be done at a fraction of the cost.)

(26)  The results of the referendum showed that 29 of the repliers would prefer an half term before Christmas.  69 people had returned their choice from the eight options given.  The College Safety Officer commented that clarification was still needed concerning the car park exit on to New Road since any method required an illegal action.  Bob Hailes writing as himself and not the Safety Officer complained about the grubby state of various college areas and furniture.

(27) John Sneezum reported on the draw (3 – 3pts) at the Staff v Students rugby match.  John Bloodworth advertised the use of the tennis courts.  Jill Parkinson’s departure was announced.  Anne Jefferies and Ann Davis took exception to the male biased comments previously recorded in NEWSCOT.  Peter Rogers gave a long and detailed account concerning the new trees albeit with some tongue-in-cheek remarks.

(28) A meeting concerning the college reorganisation was advertised.  The staff rugby side were unsuccessful in defending their title in the rugby sevens tournament.  Hugh Adams reported a 500 pound grant for the college from the Arts Council.  Norman Davies wondered if anyone had a family size frame tent for sale.

(29) Peggy Souter joined the debate about discrimination concerning female members of staff quoting ATTI Womens’ Rights Working Party.   Stanley Allen thanked his ex-Business Studies colleagues for his retirement gift.  Telelang courses were now free for members of staff.

(30)  107 pints of blood were collected.  Geoff Orme wanted to buy several bicycles.

(31) Car parking would be cramped because of resurfacing work.  The cricket team drew their first match.  John Stanley tested the waters for interest in a golf outing.

(32)  An Audio-Vision Centre was approved by  Business and Social Studies.  Derrick  Price would be in charge of the centre.  Peggy Souter was looking for volunteer House Managers for the Mountbatten Theatre.  Wally Hilderly reminded staff that Tom O’Connor would be retiring soon.

(33)  Tony Timbs asked for support to represent the college in negotiations at Academic Board level stating that, inter alia, SCOT was being treated as the country cousin.  Retirements were announced for Bill Cutler (who joined the Electronic section in 1967) and technician Bill Bulman.   Trevor Cole was welcomed as technician in the Fluids Lab.  The staff cricket remain undefeated after five matches.

(34) There was a welcome for Judith Constantine as Administrative Assistant (Examinations). Staff cricket still unbeaten after seven matches.  Geoff Orme commented on Tony Timb’s manifesto but tried to show errors in his logic. 

(35)  The Union of Southampton Colleges (SCOT, SCOA, School of Navigation) was approved by the DES to take place in April 1977 – according to progress.  The DES also approved two Diploma courses jointly submitted by SCOT and LSU.  Both reported by Arthur Parr.

(35)  Arthur Parr backtracked on his statement of the previous week stating that it was the Hampshire County Education Committee that had agreed in principle to the formation of the union.  Other stages in the process will occur before, and if, the DES gives its approval.  Lionel Wardle reported on the College Research Survey Questionnaire.  Two last over wins for the staff cricket team were recorded.  Norman Davies was out for only the second time in the season in the match at Easton and Martyr Worthy and finished with an average of 100.

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