Volume 7 - 1979/80 - NEWSCHEET

Preamble

This was a time when the college was searching for a new identity with the carrot of becoming a Polytechnic as a driving force.  However, the future was by no means certain.  The structure of the college with its myriad committees came under the microscope.  I have annotated the contributions as they appear in the various editions, thus Bob Hailes is sometimes R. J. Hailes for example.  The final contribution is from Wilf who otherwise elsewhere is Wilf Norfolk!

(1)   The Principal’s speech was reported.  Mr Buckley announced that government cuts would mean shedding 9 teaching staff, 3 FTE technicians, 1 FTE admin, and 2 FTE manual staff. John Hanson, the vice-principal, said he thought the coming year would be a watershed year or survival year.  The CNAA document must be discussed widely and become our bible. We must not be turned down again by CNAA as we had been publically in 1978.  Francis Andrews, a long serving Physics technician, had left in the summer.  Sister Bega appealed for more blood donors. 

(2)  Ian Tromans advertised the SCR AGM.  Brian Elwell had taken over the extra-curricular Arts activities programme in the college.  A ‘frustrated lecturer’ reported that his staff room clock was over 5 hours slow.

(3)  At the Academic Board meeting it was revealed that various bids from outside interests were being considered by the City Council for future use of the land between the college campus and St. Andrews Road.   The Governors intend to make a bid so that the whole area would become a college campus.  The report from the Finance and Resources Committee announced a deficit of £36,000 for the refectory.  There was confusion over money allocated to CNAA development which has led to an overspend of £100,000 this year.  A resolution was passed that no appointments should be made until the matter was resolved.  In the ensuing discussion there were inputs from Cliff Rogers, Ken Cox, Terry Murphy, Terry Baker and Stan Parker.  The Principal then arrived from another meeting and told the Academic Board that ‘we had misunderstood the figures given by Winchester.’  Finally a list of projected sites was given for the new playing fields that would replace the existing ones that were to become part of the M27.   Allington Lane seemed to be the preferred site which brought a comment from Ken Cox that it was a ‘dreadful site’.

(4)  It had been reported at Academic Board that the computer had run for three years without a manager.  A dejected Ralph Verrall pointed out he had been doing the job (plus his own) for three years.  R. Complin, the Refectory Manager hotly disputed the deficit of £36,000.  Ralph Coney also wrote that a figure given a the Academic Board for maintaining the grounds at Townhill Park House  (£23,000) was too high and asked if ‘figures that are given at committees could be checked for accuracy first’?

(5)  The usual warning about thieves was given after thefts of a calculator and a briefcase was stolen.  Libby Cleaver under the heading ‘Diary of a Dogsbody’ noted that, to cover for lecturer John Easthill’s departure with no replacement, she is scheduled for 26 hours teaching in the Spring Term.  Sandra Pumphry in her role as Finance Officer gave reasons why the refectory deficit was roughly in the region of a correct figure, but Townhill Park ‘ has never cost £23,000 in any year’.

(6) Terry Baker offered to run a short course aimed at explaining the correct rules and procedures of committees – ‘as opposed to what actually happens.’  Richard Complin wrote a spirited defence of refectory costs pointing out that in busy times, the refectory runs at a profit.  Ian Tromans gave the names of the officers for the SCR Association for the nest year – Chairman – Cliff Rogers, Secretary - Barbara Kirby.

(7) Sister Carol Bega recorded that 100 pints of blood were collected from the 107 volunteers.

(8)  Ann Collins wrote to thank staff for her retirement gift and reported on her six week trip to the USA.  Dennis Rutley reported on the Academic Board’s Residential week-end at Gurney Dixon.  Rather than write a boring account of the issues discussed he pointed out that the college’s main problem was money – or lack of it.

(9) Bill Thwaites made an appeal for Oxfam to help with the desperate situation in Cambodia.  Ann Tupper advertised the forthcoming College Christmas Ball.  Edgar Shaw congratulated Barbara Bishop on her inclusion in the latest publication of ‘The World Who’s Who of Women’.  Ann Davis wrote that the college could earn money if it were allowed to run short courses but ‘education is not organised in an effective way to do that’.

(10)  Terry Baker pointed out that there should be other criteria to consider than just cost effectiveness for courses.  He bemoaned the closure of non-vocational courses in the Faculty of Art and Design agreeing with Burke’s lament ‘the age of sophisters, economists and calculators has succeeded’.  David Clements advertised a trip to Paris to see the Picasso Exhibition.

(11) Bob Hailes commented on the Principal’s memo about heating giving statutory evidence of acceptable temperatures in the workplace.  Ann Davis defended her earlier remarks concluding ‘looking at cost-effectiveness is one way of helping us make informed choices – as opposed to Mr. Baker’s emotional approach’.  Geoff Staples quoted from a booked called Murphy’s Law including ‘trivial matters are handled promptly, important matters are never solved’.

(12)  Mrs Ahmed, Accommodation Officer, asked if any staff had surplus items of furniture for sale for a student house.

(13) Marion Stubbs reported that a new microfilm reader was now operational in the Arts Library. Dave Hewett, Treasurer for the SCR, reported on the auction results for SCR periodicals – J. Sneezum (Practical Motorist), K. Cook (Private Eye) K. McBride (Yachts and Yachting), D. Hewett (Popular Gardener, Practical Householder).

(14)  Denis Rutley reported on the last Academic Board of the term. Mr Buckley said that the CNAA submission document had been accepted as an excellent foundation for the forthcoming CNAA visit in January.  The DES had refused money for a new library.  Ken Cox vehemently argued against the proposed playing fields in Allington Lane pointing out that the land was ‘ lower than the bed of the nearby River Itchen’.  It was agreed to lift the restriction on numbers of overseas students. 

(15) Margaret Goyne asked if the people who decided to close the refectory in the holidays realised that staff and students were still in attendance during that time.  Bill Thwaites gave an update on Cambodia.  Tony Timbs quoted from a letter received from Danny Bouchard, now three years into retirement, which prompted Denis Rutley to ask ‘why can’t they bring the retirement age down to 50?’

(16) Tony Timbs wondered about the possibility of a future joint degree in Humanities and Technology.  Sister Carol Bega  wrote in gory detail concerning the report of two fatal accidents that had occurred involving butane lighters which had been in the pockets of men working in welding.

(17) Bob Hailes, Safety Officer, commented on the butane gas lighter story, pointing out that it was a hoax and giving full details of the impossibility of the likelihood of any such accident.  Sister Carol Bega also acknowledged that the problem was not so alarming as first thought.

(18)  John Gregory commented on the outcome of the CNAA visit asking that initial course validation should be done by a small group rather than a whole committee.

Denis Rutley gave a report on the recent Academic Board meeting.  ‘The college is fit enough for CNAA to allow the maths degree to continue without conditions for three years’, said Mr. Buckley, ‘but severe conditions are being imposed on any other degree submissions.’  The Castle had agree to rent a further floor on Clifford House to help with the library shortage of space. The teaching budget had been overspent by between 48,400 and 53,000 pounds.

(19)  Cliff Rogers welcomed Dr. Mike Halle as the new Head of the Computer Centre.  An anonymous contribution wondered if a committee system has any hope of working efficiently in a college.

(20)  Denis Rutley owned up to the anonymous contribution of the previous week stating his name had been omitted ‘by an oversight’.   Alan Lawrence defended the views that had been expressed noting the importance of having a variety of views before any decision is taken.

(21)  Terry Baker weighed in with a lengthy article concerned that there had been virtually no response to the news that a member of the Academic Board had resigned because of decisions taken outside the Board that should have been taken from within it.  He expanded on his discourse by stating that two power structures exist that strive to operate within the system simultaneously  - the Formal Structure and the Effective Structure.  John Hanson sent a letter to the editor of Newsheet about Defining The College Ethos or reappraisal of the statement of the Aims of the College.  This was because ‘it is clear that the college had not succeeded in persuading the CNAA that the current aims were realisable’.  He had asked five staff to help him – Mrs Cleaver, Mrs Farrow, F. J. Mahon, N.Penn, B. Tattersall.  Charles Painter asked staff for ideas into how the college image could be improved.

(22)  Mike Bennett wrote concerning the ‘disgusting’ lavatory accommodation in the college.  Ann Davis  gave details of a forthcoming visit to Chichester Festival Theatre.  Wilf Norfolk contributed a parody of the 23rd Psalm beginning – ‘The Union is my Shepherd, I shall not work/ It maketh me to lie down on the job…….’  Angela Corello advertised the Fashion Show in the Mountbatten Theatre.

(23)  Ann Davis commented on Terry Baker’s article saying that ‘if we are serious about giving power to committees we will have to give them access to the real source of power – money.’  A poem contribution signed ‘(not original) Jim Ulph’ was Ode to Superwoman.  In descending order the fist line of each verse was –‘ Leaps tall buildings in a single bound’  (Principal), ‘Leaps short buildings in a single bound’ (Vice Principal), ‘Leaps short buildings with a running start and favourable winds’ (Dean), ‘Barely clears a Portakabin’ (HOD), ‘Makes high marks on the wall when trying to leap tall buildings’ (Principal Lecturer), ‘Runs into buildings’ (Senior Lecturer), ‘Falls over doorstep when trying to enter buildings’ (Lecturer), ‘Lifts tall buildings and walks under them’ (Departmental Secretary).

(24)  Annette Barrett wondered if the college sergeants could reconsider their request to have the car parking stickers on the right hand side of the windscreen since she found it off-putting to have partly obscured vision on the driver’s side of the car.  Maggie Ross gave a rallying call for the SCR Easter lunchtime party.  Norman  Davies gave details of a coffee evening for anyone interested in Maths.  Jeff Hawksley announced the programme for the CNAA visit to validate the B. Sc. in Marine Engineering.

(25) Staff were asked to use post codes on all mail.   Sister Bega reported that the Wessex Blood Transfusion Clinic would be held next month.  J. Hooper described an incident concerning a swinging exterior door that he had witnessed that eventually led to a broken window later in the week.

(26) Another lengthy Academic Board report by Dennis Rutley was given.  The main issues concerned the ‘new’ library for Technology in Clifford House, the approval of the B. Sc. in marine Engineering, the replacement – or not – of retiring staff members, course relations with La Sainte Union.  The playing field sage continued with a visit being made by David Lawrence, Charles Painter and Ann Tupper to the newly recommended site at Test Playing Fields.  An anonymous contributor took J. Hooper to task for not having drawn attention to the maintenance staff about the swinging door.

(27)  J. Hooper gave a robust reply about the door blaming the door gear – ‘basically unsuitable’ – leading to the necessity of  constant warnings to users having to be made.  John Sneezum wrote about the forthcoming cricket season citing the Selection Committee (or Press Gang).   Bryan Green congratulated Andy Paige on his award of MSc in Financial Managerial Controls.  A letter had been received from the Project Director of the SS Great Britain Project thanking staff and students for their help.  The library reported that it had rented a TV set capable of receiving Ceefax and Oracle.  Sister Bega announced that 139 blood donors had attended the session giving 127 donations.

(28)  Mac Winter, Technician, Construction Department reported on completing 120 laps in 4 hours on Foxhills Pond with his model boat.  He thanked staff for their contributions to his charity.  Wally Hammond gave an explanation of the new postal codes, noting that college literature quoted two different codes.

(29)  Blatch further explained why two postal codes were in use giving an option of directing mail to the main building or the College of Art.  Mike Wild asked for votes, through a tear-off section of Newsheet, for a proposed term time-table of his.  R. J. Hailes reported on the poor condition of the paved area outside the Mountbatten theatre and asked people to ‘watch their step’.

(30) The same contributor but this time as Bob Hailes wrote further about accidents saying that society’s response has been to produce more and more rules.  This was in response to someone telling him that there was no need to take precautions since the chance of an accident was ‘a million to one’.  He chose to illustrate his point by quoting research that stated that if a man chose to support his trousers by using a belt the chance of a failure is  17,000 to 1  (46 years).  By adding braces the odds did lengthen to magic million to one  (2,700 years or so).  Mike Wild reported on the results of his term time-table questionnaire – in favour 3 votes, against 3 votes.

(31)  Charles Ford congratulated Jeff Hawksley on his award of a doctorate for his work on diesel engine combustion.  R. A. Lawrence wrote about his efforts to affiliate the NATFHE branch to the Local Trades Council.   Marion Stubbs entered the accidents debate by reporting that her ‘knickers fell down one day opposite Richard Shops in Pound Street Road’.  With no shop doorway to dive into she had to brazen it out.  However, she stated she still does not wear braces.

(32)  Two responses to Marion Stubbs knickers incident were in this issue.  Austin Dobson waxed lyrical about types of knickers that might not suffer the same fate, after expressing surprise that Marion would wish to make public her predicament.  Miss M. Peyton suggested a solution for Marion – ‘don’t wear knickers’.  Brian Elwell gave details of the next proposed trip to Chichester to see the play Terra Nova.

(33)  The Pottery staff regretfully announced the death of Malcolm Pepper.  Sandra Pumphry warned staff of a long delay of deliveries from the County Supply Office which, it seems, had suffered a manpower cut of one-third of its staff.  Maggie Ross further plugged the forthcoming SCR Evening Event at Townhill Park.   Angela Corello stated the Fashion Department would be exhibiting at the Guildhall.  John Hanson said that the Timetable Allowances Panel had extended the bids from Heads of Department to individual lecturers also. Marion Stubbs expanded on her recent knickers saga.  She had hoped to add to Bob Hailes explanation of accidents do happen.  Since then since everyone seems to want to know about her knickers they could be inspected, on request and by appointment, ‘on my clothes line, but generally are not usually otherwise available for viewing.  Nobody seems to have read Bob Hailes piece; everyone seems to have read mine’.

(34)  Peter George took exception to the fact that Newsheet contained both serious and flippant articles without a clear policy.  Dennis Rutley replied as quoted: ‘Newsheet started off intending to be serious (Vol. 1 No.1).  It became frivolous. After a year of so it went through a very bitter phase.  This is when it was at its most popular.  Most of the present problems of the college are either a legacy of the past or are due to a lack of money, I think.  Consequently Newsheet is now a pretty homogeneous mixture.  Please do write and say how you think it should be.  I must emphasise, though, that the character of Newsheet depends ultimately on the articles written for it by you.’  Joe Howath reported on a Research seminar attended by 30 members of staff.  Contributors included Bruce Tattersall, John Everson, Don Currie and Mike Ballard.  Bill Macey had chaired the event.  Wm. J. Smith, Dean Art and Design, reported that several members of staff were ‘jumping’ the car park barrier by following the previous car through without waiting for the barrier to close.  John Gregory reported on a Planning Study tour to York organised by Janet Chaundy and Bob Whittle.

(35)   (First page missing!)  The Academic Board report was missing the early stages but on page two of Newsheet it was stated that ‘a storm broke’ when discussing part-time teaching.  The finance and Resources Committee had allocated 4000 hours for the first 21 weeks of 1980/81.  This meant 200 hours per week compared with the previous 971.   The Chairman also announced that there was not enough money in the cash allowance to pay the salaries of the full-time teachers at the college.  He was confident that the money would be forthcoming after his letter to the LEA.  It was agreed that a Public Relations Officer was necessary for the college.  Malcolm Mattick wrote asking that Newsheet should be kept as it was, as did Bob Hailes, whilst acknowledging his last attempt to be humorous had somewhat backfired.  Wilf thought that Newsheet should continue its principal function of communication with perhaps reducing the frivolous element.  He bemoaned that an educational institution of the size and character of SCHE ought to be able and willing to produce a quality journal or magazine. Dennis Rutley thanked Margaret for typing the editions and also Barbara and Gill who stepped in at times.

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