Volume 6 - 1978/79 - NEWSCHEET

Preamble

The role the college was to adopt under the CNAA guidance was seminal to the thinking and many of the articles contributed over the year.   Concern was expressed throughout at the lack of communication within the college.

(1)   A few statistics from the Principal’s speech.  In 1977/78 we taught 2,626 full-time equivalent students with 336 full-time equivalent staff.  CNAA demanded a new structure for the college, more staff development, better library and better computer facilities.  Present courses can run for a further two years.  This would mean a great deal of committee work for many members of staff.   The Vice-Principal pointed out that at least 2,800 full time equivalent students were needed.   Iris thanked everyone for her send-off at the end of last term.    Ron Currie’s retirement was announced after his 16 years at the college.

(2)  Government figures showed that student numbers would grow by over 20,000 per year, but only for the next five years.   After that the numbers will fall.  At present there are 850,000 18 year olds, in 1995 there will be only 630,000 down from a 1983 peak of 940,000.  An anonymous staff member commented on the latest safety publication written in a curious form of English and consisting of a mountainous pile of paper.

(3)  John Sneezum reported that George Muir would require a further operation and that the insurance scheme remains in place.

(4)   Tricia and Nicole reported from their new examinations office location in the School of Art and Design.  Ian Tromans gave details of the SCR  Annual General Meeting.

(5)  David Clements advertised a weekend trip to Paris by coach.  Mike Bennett wondered if anyone knew of a summer lecture tour in the States.  He was looking for a cheap holiday.

(6)  J. Hooper reported on the publication of the CNAA report and bemoaned the fact that the examinations office had moved to the next building.  The Print Room stated they were moving to the Art and Design building and that the college sergeants were undertaking the delivery of printed work.  The General Office noted that it would close at 7.00pm in future.

(7)  Sheila Horrill asked if she was to believe the rumours that ‘somewhen or other someone is coming to open, close or present something or other somewhen soon.’  She wanted newssheet to give the facts.   Dennis Rutley could only say he was in the dark also, but judging by the paint and general tidying up of the theatre he presumed someone important was coming.  Bob Corlett stated that the CNAA report was available for loan for short periods.  Sister Carol Bega reported that 113 donations of blood had been collected at the last Wessex Blood Transfusion Unit’s visit.

(8)  Half a million pounds is to be spent on a new or extended library.  Bob Corlett asked staff for suggestions where the library should be built.

(9)  Details for Presentation Day were given.  Wilf Norfolk apologized to anyone having difficulty contacting the Building and Civil Engineering Department.  They were temporarily without a secretary.  Ron Ward suggested the new library should be built to cover and block off New Road.  The SCR Officers were announced – Chairman, Bob Corlett,  Hon. Treasurer  Dave Hewett, Hon. Secretary  Ian Tromans. The Departmental Representatives were  Maggie Ross (Maths) Dennis Rutley (Applied Science)  Mike Baggs (Marine Engineering)  Dick Edwards (Marine Science)  Frank Mahon (Marine Electronics)  Bill Morton (Building)  John Ghey  (Modern Arts)  Geoff Callow (Engineering)  Bob Stokes (Business Studies) Stephen Woods (Design) David Richards (Fine Art)  Judith Steptoe (Fashion).

(10) Peggy Souter was of the opinion that the new library should be built as a link between the two existing buildings.  Ann Tupper advertised the forthcoming College Ball.  Angela Corello gave details of the Fashion Show in the Main Hall of the College of Art.

(11)  Stan Parker passed on the Principal’s thanks to all who had made Presentation Day a success.  The SCR Christmas Lunchtime party was advertised for the first time.

(12)  Dennis Rutley wrote ‘Goodby Examinations Office.  Goodbye Print Room.  Please, please could somebody say why.  What’s next?’  Bill Thwaites and Gordon Burrows  were to hold a planning meeting for the Christmas Carol Service. A D. J. Lochhead Memorial was to be in the form of bench seating in suitable outdoor locations on the campus with inscribed memorial plates attached.  Bryan Green gave details of the retirement of Ernie Haine event.

(13)   Six Christmas events were announced by Bill Thwaites and Gordon Burrows.  Ann Tupper was to release Christmas Ball tickets to ‘outsiders’.  Rumour, according to Dennis Rutley, had it that the DES had rejected the proposed new library.  However, further rumour says that Hampshire might build the library…………

(14)   The death of George Muir was announced only a few days after receiving his CNAA degree in Mathematics.  He had been at the college since 1970.  Clive Thomason’s retirement was reported.  The Publicity Committee was to meet to consider a report prepared by Mr. Norfolk and Mrs Barrett.  The arrival of Miss Barbara Sparks was noted as secretary to the Building Department.

(15)  The arrival of Janet Dicks was announced as a Maths Secretary. Janet was an ex-student under the capable hands of Mrs. Williams.

(16)  I list of members of staff with a First Aid Certificate was published:  Sheila Horrill, Janet Bradford, Gill McClelland, Angela Holmes, Valerie Seaton, Eric Roe, Richard Swann, Dennis Rutley, Roy Lacey, Alan Priday, Diana Broomfield, Peter Waterman, Terry Jones, Marion Sales, Ann Davis.  Jim Ulph had won the Building Department Autumn Golf tournament.  The Council of Marine Engineers had donated 250 pounds to the D. J. Lochhead Memorial Fund.

(17)  Late evening lecturers were asked to help Lee Vaux by checking lights out, windows closed etc.  There was a strike of some of his staff which meant Lee Vaux had to check everything himself after 9.00pm.

(18)  John Sneezum requested the one or two departments that had yet to pay in money on behalf of George Muir to please do so.   The total paid to date was 913 pounds.

(19)  Ann Davis announced a seminar for Business students from an EEC London Office speaker about the Common Agricultural Policy of the EEC.   Lesley Hagger thanked everyone for her leaving presents.  John Hooper used a BBC programme about management to illustrate his feelings about a college situation, ‘Even the BBC would probably reject our print room saga as too far-fetched.’  Dennis Rutley wrote a hard-hitting article which began  ‘Morale among the teachers of the college is going down once again.’  The problem was lack of communication, as he saw it.  There were teaching representatives on various committees who should report to all in plain English – Newsheet would give space.  However, it was still rumour that seemed to hold sway.  One such was the forthcoming retirement of Vice-Principal Ken Everett and the fact that a new VP had been appointed.  There followed an accurate description of the new VP, sans his name.   Bob Corlett drew everyone’s attention to a new novel ‘Wilt’ by Tom Sharpe.  The college does not have a copy ‘because it contains naughty words and naughty thoughts.’

(20)  Robert Stokes commended Dennis Rutley on his article of the previous week and pointed out that he did report back to  his Business and Social Studies colleagues on Academic Board issues.  An anonymous SL took umbrage at Bob Corlett’s drawing attention to Wilt, pointing out that Liberal Studies lecturers are used to having the worst of everything, as illustrated in the novel.  He went on to accuse a member of the non-academic staff displaying appalling rudeness to a lecturer in the last week.

(21)  John Sneezum reported disappointment at the uptake of the Insurance Scheme by the College of Art and Design.   Jim Sellars has offered to act as recruiter.  Maggie Ross is running out of time on full pay and unfortunately still has much trouble with her back.  Marion Stubbs took issue with the anonymous SL article of the previous week because of its feudal attitude.

(22)  Christine Evans gave details of voluntary tutors for the local adult literacy scheme.  Two contributors used verse to write about issues  (The Future, On Being Refused Entry at Lunchtime To the Senior Common Room).  Dennis Rutley applauded this initiative but thought it a pity that so many remained anonymous.

(23)   Clive Welsteed reported on a photocopying service provided now in the Main Building.  Bill Davies thanked his colleagues for the gift of the golf clubs on his retirement.  Dennis Rutley wrote about the scheme now in operation to examine the performance of teachers in SCHE.   He wanted a reasoned debate on the topic –‘we know that the management system of the College is a shambles, but what about the teaching?’

(23) (sic) B. Semmens would like to see two newly published newspapers in the Senior Common Room.  They are ‘Teachers Grapevine’ and ‘Staffroom.’

(24)  An end of term edition that featured Midday Mountbatten news, Mountbatten Singers rehearsals, For Sale Items and a list of Library acquisitions.

(25)  Peter Maskell invited members of staff to support the college football team in the Travers Cup final.  L. Seaton was congratulated on his appointment as a chief examiner for City and Guilds.

(26)   Joyce Head complimented Peggy Souter on her Midday Mountbatten events over the year.   Mr E. A. D Hutchings was congratulated on his appointment as chief examiner for City and Guilds for the fifth time.   Sister Carol Bega noted the collection of 137 donations of blood.  John Sneezum reported on a staff rugby loss to the students  (22 – 25) despite leading 18 – 4 at half time.  Fitness?  A leaving presentation was announced for Vice – Principal, Ken Everett.

(27)  The new Vice-Principal was introduced – see (19) above.   John Hanson’s previous role was Dean at the Polytechnic of Wales.  Tony Joslin wrote about the ‘considerable lack of women’s toilets in this college’.  The problem had been exacerbated in the Building block because of the advent of an invalid girl who has to use the male toilet with a guard outside.

(28)    John Bloodworth reported that there could be no use of Hardmoor tennis courts this year.   Dennis Rutley asked for comments regarding the right of students to appeal examination results.

(29)   R. A. Lawrence agreed with the notion of student appeal after examination saying one can hardly teach and take an interest in a group of students without forming some bias towards each individual in the group.  Dennis Rutley reported from the Academic Board as one of  the newly elected members.  The DES had approved the building of the library, four floors and room for 70,000 books and 700 periodicals.   John Hanson pointed out that the cost of this Academic Board meeting was between 2 and 3 thousand pounds per hour.

(30)   An end of session disco cruise was announced.   Bob Corlett had sketch plans for the new library which had gained the approval of the Library Committee.  He also said that, as yet, no written confirmation had been received that the building would go ahead in 1980/81.

(31)  Diane at Argyle Road thanked all who had contributed to her wedding present.  The staff cricket team was organizing a Chicken, Cheese and Wine event at Townhill Park House.

(32)  G. W. Griffith had suffered a mild coronary attack, but hoped to be back in September.  Joe McGarry’s retirement was announced.  He had started the P. E. at the college which now had five staff.   Maggie Ross thanked all for their support during her eight months absence with whiplash injuries.   Fred Wilson had been admitted to hospital with a heart condition.

(33)  Peggy Souter advertised a play at Netley Abbey.  This was followed by the editor writing:’  The above announcement is typical of hundreds that have appeared in Newscot and Newscheet over the last years.  Now after ten years she is leaving……..I’m quite sure that everyone at EPT joins me in thanking you for all you have done here in the past ten years, and in wishing you all the very best in your new venture.’  Adam Herbertson was retiring after 30 years teaching in Southampton.   John Warland is also retiring after 22 years full-time teaching in the Faculty of Art and Design.  John Clements was leaving after a mere 6 years to read for an MSc.  Dennis Rutley thanked Margaret Goyne and Barbara Sparks for their typing and David in the print room ‘who has always managed to ensure that Newscheet came out on time.’

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