Preamble
This was a seminal year when the college
changed its name and amalgamated with the College of Art
(1) The Principal began his speech, “ This is
the last year that we shall meet……….as the Southampton College of Technology.” Mrs
Carol Bega was introduced as the new College Nurse. Monica
Williams thanked all for her leaving present. John
Sneezum gave up-to-date news of Derek
Lochhead’s illness and necessity to use the Insurance Group scheme to
compensate for Derek now being on half pay.
(2) Annette Barrett was welcomed as the new
Academic Registrar. Les Wilcox, College Sergeant, was
seriously ill and another Sergeant, Les
Pascoe was involved in a motor cycle accident and has now retired. The AGM of the SCR had a proposed Revision of
the Rules on the agenda.
(3) Bob Watmough under the heading ‘A
Grouse is not always a bird’ questioned
the locking up time of doors in the evening saying that students at lectures
that finished at 9.00pm were not given time to leave the building before
finding locked exterior doors. After
previous complaints of a lack of blackboards in E17B, a frustrated SL, now
reported that there were 5 (FIVE) newly
surfaced blackboards in the one room.
There is a snag, though. E17B has
ceased to be a classroom.
(4) The ‘All Your Own Work’ exhibition of staff
artefacts had over 600 visits.
(5) Tricia wrote that her midget has a low
bottom and cannot speed over the car park ramps as higher sprung chariots can.
Carol Bega reported that 113 donations of blood were collected by
the Wessex Blood Transfusion Service.
75% or so came from students.
(6) Ray Bamber was welcomed as the new
Lodgings Officer. Ken Everett offered a prize (Christmas
Lunch for Two) for a competition to choose a new name for Newscot, especially
perhaps to include some reference to the College of Art
(7)
Suggestions for a new name for Newscot included Newspeak or Nova Scotia
(8) Derek Lochhead wrote his thanks for help
from the college and reported that he was ‘holding his own with slight
improvement in some respects’. Alan Burr entered the new name
competition with SCHEME (Southampton College of Higher Education Monday
Epistle). Rumours, according to Dennis
Rutley, separated the Refectories of the colleges on amalgamation. The present SCOT Refectory would be for students whilst the
staff would be accommodated in the College
of Art
(9) Roger Hammett introduced himself as the
new College Careers Advisor. Bryan Green wrote an impassioned
treatise about the excellence of
the college’s accountancy and business studies courses, all well
respected in the region. Terry Baker had fun compiling a
glossary of 30 terms that could be used by those teaching on BEC courses
(e.g. BECgammon – game played by
shuffling together existing courses and submitting them as a BEC module).
(10) It
was hoped to publish SCOT soon with a theme ‘Looking Ahead’. Tickets were available for the staff
Christmas event. Frank from the Technical Information
Library suggested NEWSEARCH or NEWSPOT as a new name for Newscot.
(11)
Just three weeks after Derek
Lochhead’s note in Newscot, it was announced with deep regret that he had
died. Bill Macey quoted from an article in SCOT from 1974 when he asked
Derek if he had any particular dislikes.
“He was loath to commit himself because, as he explained, something
disliked by one man is sure to be liked by another………….I pressed him for an
answer and finally he decided his principal dislike would be intolerance.”
(12) Richard Complin gave details of the
Staff Christmas Lunches. Both the SCOT
Christmas Party and the Swinging Christmas Revelry (SCR) looked to be on course
for a good following. The prize for the Ken Everett competition to rename
Newscot went to Frank from the
Technical Information Library for his suggestion of SEARCHLIGHT. Dennis
Rutley pointed out that the new name might be something else since the College of Art
(13) The
results of the Research Seminar on the suitability of the SCOT building as a
teaching centre were unveiled by John
Bolt and Alan Lawrence. The main culprit for poor suitability was the
traffic noise from New Road
(14)
Items for sale, Peggy Souter’s
list of events and a list of some new library books and details of the college
carol service.
(15)
The college Christmas Fancy Dress Ball reported a small financial
profit. Frank Wright, Mike Biles and Brenda Watts reported that legally no action can be taken about the
noise problem since staff are employees and not in occupation of the building.
(16) A
comment was made about the recent edition of SCOT. Ernie
Haine’s approval of the promotion system as rewarding excellence was
rejected by the anonymous contributor.
He is convinced that in this establishment any positive correlation
between rank and excellence is purely coincidental, and there is some evidence
of negative correlation.
(17) An
appeal was made by John Sneezum for
staff to volunteer for the staff rugby
side to play the students. Lady
volunteers are asked to present themselves, one at a time please, for the
special SNEEZUM scrummaging test. Peggy Souter struck a more serious note
with details of the piano recital to be given by Richard Deering.
(18) Geoff
Hawksley’s Research Association seminar was entitled ‘The Effect of
Turbo-charging on Diesel Engine Noise.’ Jim Ulph submitted a short article on
Responsibility – a unique concept that can only reside and inhere in a single
individual. If responsibility is
rightfully yours, no evasion or ignorance or passing the blame can shift the
burden to someone else. Editor Dennis Rutley added ‘Whomsoever
the cap fits….’
(19) In
anticipation of the forthcoming change of college name the SCR were advertising
a Scots Corpse Reposes for later in the term.
(20) Alan Burr advertised a Research Seminar
to be given by R. J. Hailes with the
title LIABILITY. An anonymous
contributor wrote about college morale.
‘The college freezes in the grip of a severe cold snap and runs
dangerously low on fuel for heating. As a consequence, alternate radiators are
taken out of circuit, and a message passed (not very efficiently) to staff
that, should students feel cold, they may go home. Staff rooms fail to reach a reasonable
temperature all day – but no similar dispensation is given.’ Dennis
Rutley used the situation to berate the ‘leaders’ of the college saying he
hoped nothing dangerous ever threatens because it is obvious ‘our leaders won’t
be able to cope’.
(21) The
College’s Law Lecturers wrote to
explain how legislation (in particular, the Offices, Shops and Railway Premises
Acts) did not apply to staff rooms, because a staff room is not office premises
– i.e. not ‘part of a building the sole or principal use of which is for office
premises.’ Other caveats were mentioned in the lengthy article. Bob
Hailes expounded on the issue, quoting various Health and Safety sources.
(22)
The SCR social event was now advertised as SCOTS CEASING RAVE-UP. Brenda
Watts drew attention to a ‘Teaching Survey to be pay weapon’ article in the
Guardian newspaper. The staff’s
unbeaten rugby record against the students had finally fallen with a 4 – 10
loss.
(23)
Examples of the new car park stickers about to be issued to all staff
were shown. The bold type heading
proclaimed Southampton College of
Technology and Southampton College of Art.
This just one month before the inauguration of Southampton College of
Higher Education. Bill Titmarsh reported the case of someone stealing health posters from Sister Carol Bega’s noticeboard. Each time a poetic verse was left – ‘The
sister’s life is all in vain - the
poster nicker strikes again.’ Eventually , a poem by Carol pointing out ‘The poster nicker should reflect, That poster
nicking amounts to theft………….’ did the trick and all the posters were returned
with a one pound donation by A & J.
Dennis Rutley wrote that this was the final issue
of Newscot and as 150 or so staff had been unable to attend the Principal’s speech after the CNAA
visit, he would summarise the main points.
The CNAA had stated that degree
work had not been a priority of the Academic Board. No effort had been made to reduce the too
high burden on degree teachers. Staff
accommodation in the college had not been improved. Much more attention to research was
necessary. The library is
inadequate. A new Academic Board is
necessary. The college has two years to
sort things out.
(24) 50
signatures were delivered to Dennis Rutley in support of the efforts of Newscot
to improve communications and hence morale in the College. He then announced Newscheet as the successor
to Newscot. The first main article was
by Terry Baker and entitled Alice
(25) J. Gregory wrote an Open Letter to the
Academic Board basically agreeing with the conclusions of the CNAA and
requesting a reappraisal of resources that will take account of the needs of
the existing degree-equivalent courses in the college. Charlie
Elvin retired on his 65th
birthday after 31 years in the building department. Ron Billett takes over from Billy Bishop as technician in the
Mountbatten Theatre.
(26) Ann Tupper, Brenda de Hollander, David
Clements and Dennis Rutley were
selling tickets for the FIRST MAY BALL to be held in the Main Hall of the
School of Art and Design. Tony Timbs cautioned against taking
CNAA at its word, citing several inconsistencies in its national approach to collegiate
degrees awarded by universities. Dennis Rutley railed against any
opportunity for ‘Preparation’ – as stated in his timetable – whilst sharing
office accommodation with four other lecturers.
(27) The
death of Arthur Turner, School of Art
(28) The
results of the voting for CNAA courses to be offered by the college; In favour
27 Not in favour 36
Don’t’ mind either way 2.
Ken Ball admitted to breaking a rule by parking in one of the
permanently empty spaces marked HOD. His
defence was that one HOD always parks his car in an unreserved space thus
depriving a member of staff. Sister Carol Bega announced two
showings of a film ‘Outline for Slimming’ for ‘those fatties interested in
becoming a little less fat’. Peggy Souter and Mike Wareham gave details of a slide-making service from film for
staff.
(29) A
case for following a CNAA approach to the College’s future was put by an
anonymous contributor. Wally Hammond agree that HODs should
park in their allocated places but pointed out that cars were vunerable when
parked there. His had a scratched heated
rear windscreen.
(30) Lee Vaux defended his right to park his
caravan on the college grounds (‘I, as resident, am fully authorized to park
whatever I wish on college grounds’) in response to Ian Tromans earlier comments about the difficulty in finding a
parking space. Bob Watmough warned of difficulties ahead with car parking once the
main car park gets built upon.
(31) Neil Toye objected to the tone of Lee Vaux’s letter saying that although
he would like to give more to the efficient and happy running of the college he
is constantly frustrated by the mixture of apathy and rudeness from ancillary
staff. Ian Tromans wondered if Mr.
Vaux would like to give the use of his vastly underused caravan as staff
accommodation? Ann Davis queried if the
working party on re-organisation could perhaps think that less administration
equals better administration?
(32) Ian Tromans advertised the SCR Cheese
and Wine event at Townhill Park House (‘…...plenty of caravan parking space
available’). Nicole Grimes spoke up for the non-teaching staff pointing out they
did not work in places of palatial splendour and were also in the dark about
re-organisation. She felt comments such
as those written by Mr. Toye will
only succeed in creating bad feeling and discontent. Sister
Carol Bega echoed the same remarks. Joyce Head said that whilst car parking
comments were sometimes very entertaining, perhaps there should be no reserved
spaces at all. Could any proposed
building be above the car parking are? The
college sergeants found the term
‘ancillary staff’ a tad demeaning and suggested ‘auxilary’ as more positive.
(33) Daiquiri (real name supplied) pleaded for a sense of proportion when
ventilating many legitimate grievances.
Remember also the services that work very well and give thanks for
that. Alan Lawrence gave recent temperature measurements for Room 215 and
216 (the later having had a solar radiation film installed) - Greater than 25 degrees 19 hours (215) 8 hours
(216), Greater than 26 degrees 6
hours (215) 4 hours (216), Greater than
27 degrees 2 hours (215) 0 hours
(216)
(34) A
report from the Working Party on Communications is to recommend that SCOT cease
publication, wrote Wilf Norfolk. There was a weekly issue of Newscheet and
soon a proposed introduction of a weekly Faculty Bulletin. A farewell was arranged for Iris – our ‘hello’ girl on the
switchboard. Lawrence Tetley wondered – to save wear and tear on the lift
mechanism – if one lift could stop on even numbered floors and the other on the
odd numbered. Both to stop on the Ground
Floor and Lower Ground Floor.
(35)
Staff were invited to attend Bill
Hall’s retirement event. The Library staff, School of Art and
Design, suggested the college follow Hampshire County Council policy and only
issue car park passes (bus passes for the children) to anyone living more than
three miles from the college, which may help the car parking problem. Editor Dennis
Rutley signed off for the year by thanking Jane and Margaret for
their typing and David for his
printing. ‘It’s been a desperate year
for the college and consequently many of the articles in Newsheet have been
hard hitting.’
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