Volume 9 - 1981/82 - NEWSCHEET

Preamble

Over the course of these publications (Volume 1 – 17) the college changed its name three times.  These changes were reflected in the title of the weekly output, viz:  NEWSCOT (Southampton College of Technology), NEWSCHEET (Southampton College of Higher Education), SINEWS  (Southampton Institute).

Apologies for having to write ‘pounds’ for sterling amounts.  The pound sign has gone missing from my keyboard!

(1)        Extracts from Principal John Hanson’s speech to staff were reported. ‘complete review of all we do…..obsolete courses to be chopped…..new quarter of a million pounds computer…..slimmed and streamlined committee system’  Bob Corlett reported that one third of the library stock had been moved to Clifford House (Technology Library).  Ray Cousins (30 years service) and Stan Hilton (18) had accepted early retirement.

(2)        Clive Welsteed reported on the almost obsolete telephone switchboard and requested staff to carefully consider before using the telephone.  Wilf Norfolk wrote about his 16 years service and thanked staff for his parting gifts.  Brian Cotton made staff aware of the Southampton Staff Development Network.

(3)        Sister Carol Bega gave information about a First Aid Course to be run and the blood transfusion service.  She also stated that the Medical Room in the Faculty of Art and Design would be closed in the day ‘due to unauthorized use and abuse of the room’.  John Hooper wrote a spoof exam paper concerning management communications giving various alternative actions  e.g create several new sub-committees, reorganize the college etc

(4)        Barbra Hughes was in pursuit of an examination clock that had gone missing.  Mike Halle asked BASIC users to now get an up-to-date handbook.  Barbara Kirby gave details of AGM of the SCR.  Dennis Rutley lodged a report from the Academic Board which raised issues (inter alia):

- resignation of Terry Baker from the Board           

- new switchboard would cost 65,000 pounds – who would pay?

- Tom Poore objected to the appointment procedures, supported by Bill Macey

- Edgar Shaw wanted a definition of ‘senior management’

- Stan Parker disclosed the allocation of money to the Faculties (Technology 58 pounds per student, Business and Mathematics 18, Art and Design 68) Roger Purssey led the charge for a bigger slice of the cake for Art and Design

- Terry Murphy proposed that the Refectory deficit be cut by 10,000 pounds to help the FAD

(5) John Hooper praised a recent car park memo (‘one person rather than a committee’).  D. Jolly, President of the Student Union, thanked the college and theatre staff for helping to make the first year’s gig a success.

(6) The College Sergeants, through one of their many humorous verses over the year, reported on the successful finding of the missing exam clock.  Lee Vaux reminded staff that smoking is not permitted in classrooms.  Sister Carol Bega thanked all for her gifts on her departure.  Terry Murphy wrote of the items for the Agenda at the next NATPHE meeting (Premature retirement and redundancy, Warsash’s use of the Disciplinary Procedure, Election of Safety Representatives).

(7) John Souter appealed for anyone with musical skills who would be willing to help out at the Carol Service.  Terry Baker gave his reasons for resigning from the Academic Board starting with a general point- “the fundamental causation factor was an escalating realization that the total scenario contained an in-built non-ongoing viable ineffective time allocation element – i.e. it was just so much wasted effort.”  He gave four examples to back his case but the root cause seemed to be that ‘the elected representatives were a trivial and insignificant part of the apparatus of committees’.

(8) Bob Corlett wrote  that because of staffing difficulties (illness) the Library hours would be cutailed for the moment.  Barbara Kirby announced that D. Pallister had retired from the SCR chair and F. J. Mahon was the replacement.  She also asked HODs to submit the names of the elected representatives to serve on the committee.  Bryan Dowding gave details of Presentation Day (November 6^th) asking as a favour if staff could leave their cars at home on the day.  Ian Broad wrote in support of Terry Baker and alluded to ignoring of staff’s pleas for action needed as the result of a recent Green Paper affecting the College – 2 years to alter its approach.

(9)  Malcolm Robertson sent a report from Merritt College, California where he was on a year’s exchange.  Many problems were similar to SCHE, especially financial for the college.  Joe Howarth asked for information for a staff survey on Consultancy, Research and Development to update the 1979 figures.

(10)  Ann Davis contributes an unflattering article from a retiring Dean of the Southern Counties RMC.  George Dodson asked if the process of approving new courses could be speeded up.  John Puntis helped staff convert the price per therm into price per megajoule now that Southern Gas quote calorific values in megajoules.

(11) The College Sergeants (in verse)  picked up on the article from John Puntis, including ‘In my ceaseless quest for MEGAJOULES/I haven’t progressed far/So I’m sticking to my tea bags/When I make my cup of char’.  David Lawrence, Chaplain, gave the date for the Carol Service.  Clive Welsteed wrote at length about delays in the Reprographics service quoting that 260,000 sheets of paper were produced each month.

(12) Denis Rutley reported on the ‘calmest and shortest’ meeting of the Academic Board he could remember.  The only item that was contentious was that Merchant Service Training Boatwork should move to Warsash.  Peter Maskell spoke about the less attractive aspects of the history of this whole affair.  Cliff Carter wrote in Shakespearian verse about the Academic Board, starting, ‘To approve or not to approve: that is the question………’  Clive Welsteed defended the closure of the X-Ray Suite door which had been used for years as an unofficial entrance to the college from the car park.

(13)  Jack Walsh (on exchange for Malcolm Robertson) will give a lecture on Personalities in Mathematics.  John Souter invited everyone to a singing of popular Christmas carols in the Mountbatten Theatre.

(14)  A joint presentation was to be held for retirees Jack Fielden and Denis Faithfull. The Vice-Principal reminded staff of the Principal’s invitation to sherry contained in his vote of thanks and best wishes circulated to all staff.  David Richards made a plea that staff support the Midday Mountbatten programme of concerts and shows.  Bryan Dowding reminded staff interested in staff development activities to apply on the correct forms to the Staff Development Committee.

(15) Barbara Kirby announced that the SCR would be closed at lunchtime on January 14^th for the Governors to use.  Hugh Beck and Roy Lacey appealed for able-bodied volunteers to act as patients in the forthcoming First Aid course.  John Puntis bemoaned the closure of the X-Ray door.

(16) Jim Rumsey gave reasons why staff might want to consider entering the Southampton Half/Full Marathon including the ability to get to the car park now that the X-Ray route no longer exists.  Terry Murphy gave the reason for the non-objection by NATFHE to the X-Ray door closure  - to provide a rest room for caretakers.

(17)  Sister Phil asked for all qualified first-aiders to let her know to discuss the formation of a college first aid team.

(18)  The General Office in the Faculty of Art and Design was ‘done over’ last week, wrote Denis Rutley.  He then offered a range of impractical actions that would protect the keeping of students’ work and records finishing by stating ‘if you see three filing cabinets being towed by a bicycle, that’s me going home.’   Don Currie’s lecture ’Structure as a Function of Purpose’ was advertised.

(19)  Colin Dempster gave details of the Faculty of Art and Design’s Open Days.  Clive Welsteed noted the increase in postal charges.  Dennis Rutley reported at length on the Academic Board meeting.  One key issue discussed was the relevance of Faculties and a call for Departments was argued for.  Another issues was the academic year where staff were going to have a three week break at Christmas and work an extra week in the summer.

(20) Maggie Ross advertised the Sociable Colleagues’ Revelry to take place in the Dining Room (75p).

(21) Ann Tupper asked for help because of the cancellation fee for the ‘Shrove Shuffle’.  A raffle would be launched.  Colin Dempster expressed his embarrassment after inviting students and friends to the lunchtime performance by the concert pianist, David Silkoff.  Apparently the grand piano had been replaced by a modern upright ‘ideal for a medium-sized lounge’. Ray Kemmish announced a series of walks for the staff.

(22) Various events were publicized.

(23)  Ralph Verrall quoted under the title ‘Join the Navy’ from the New Scientist: ‘the doctors recorded how easily or otherwise the women became pregnant with donors’ seamen’.  Brian Cotton thanked staff who had helped on Open Day.  Bob Watmough complained at the length of time the toilets opposite the Physics Lab. had been closed. Mike Wall wrote how to photocopy on both sides of paper on the library photocopier.

(24)  Bob Corlett’s retirement event was advertised.  Ann Davis gave details of the usual staff visit to Chichester Festival Theatre  (On The Rocks – G.B Shaw).  Ann Tupper added details of the raffle – prizes donated, draw.

(25)  Tony Classon gave details of the Christian Fellowship meetings.  An alteration to the Midday Mountbatten programme was announced.  David Glass – mime – will replace Joanna Gruenberg whose piano recital has been cancelled owing to the loss of the grand piano.

(26)  John Stanley thanked all who had contributed to Bob Corlett’s retirement.

Dennis Rutley gave an Academic Board report.  45 staff were to be cut in the next two years.  27 staff have applied for early retirement.  The college calendar was discussed with Alan Seddon very annoyed about the three week Christmas break.  Other colleges had refused with the Southampton Technical College paying a 3,000 pound fine whilst our fine could be 20,000 pounds.  Clive Welsteed gave information about the college clocks.  A major service had taken place but since then the clocks had not kept time accurately.

(27) Terry Baker had a long rant about various issues chiefly about the lack of any flow of information about changes.    Richard Thomas gave details of Maths Workshops open to all students in the summer term.  The Academic Board had met.  The Exams and Awards Sub-Committee had sent a memo asking Bob Stokes what he was going to do about the only 58% pass rate in the professional exam.  Bob Stokes erupted pointing out that the national pass rate was 10% and his team should be congratulated.  The fine for the Christmas closure was now reported to be 10,000 pounds.  The student counsellor had left some time ago and the chaplain, David Lawrence, was standing in.  However, there was a problem with privacy in the allocated accommodation.

(28)  Ann Davis announced  that a notice-board for Women staff and students had been placed on the ground floor.  Terry Baker submitted a letter ‘found in the corridor’ and assumed it belonged to Denis Rutley.  It concerned the recently held staff meeting but written as a diary entry of LT. C. Handel-Stickmaker on board the HMS Incorrigible en route to the Falklands.  The briefing had been given by Lt. Gen. ‘Ollie’ Garchy and was along the lines that decisions will be made for you whilst appearing that you may have some influence.

(29)  Eric Roe wrote about the retirement of J. Reynolds (Technician).  Marion Stubbs quoted from a magazine about a video game – a brilliant simulation of a banana republic – that had many aspects of the previous week’s diary article (which she attributed to Terry Baker!)   Bob Watmough commented on the new college crest.  Richard Complin asked the person or persons filling their pockets with milk and sugar sachets from the Refectory to please refrain from doing so.

(30)  Terry Murphy reported on a Special Governors’ Meeting called to discuss the proposals to associate the College of Nautical Studies, SCHE and Winchester School of Art to form a new Institute of  Higher Education.  After discussion the proposal was amended to read, ‘The Board accepts the concept…………’  Mike Wall was organizing a Staff Car Treasure Hunt in the New Forest.  Peter George commented on the election of Governors and the successful transmission of the process and results – ‘is this a change in the policy of treating us on the mushroom principle?’  Bob Hailes noted that the Gents toilet on the Admin. Floor is served with PINK toilet paper.

(31)  Ray Mabey thanked staff – ahead of his retirement – for their assistance and co-operation.  Maureen Emery was announced as the representative for the non-teaching staff on the Board of Governors.

(32)  The College Safety Officer announced the recent fire drills had been generally satisfactory.  Academic Board No. 23 had been a short meeting. One issue was a definition of overseas student.  Ralph Coney said that, as far as hostel charges were concerned, Scotland is overseas, while Wales is not.  However, in other situations, the EEC is not overseas (ED  No wonder lawyers are rich).

(33) Clive Welsteed made a plea for the staff who lock up at night.  The recent hot weather has led to many windows being left open.  An Academic Board Special Meeting took place to discuss the proposed amalgamation.  ‘At times the meeting resembled the sort of meeting that takes place outside a pub  just after closing time, the protagonists shouting at each other and not listening’.  A motion proposed by Bill Macey and seconded by Terry Murphy stated that ‘this Board is unable to accept the concept……..’  Mike Halle announced the arrival of the new computer.

(34)  The Academic Board meeting 24 dealt with potential student questionnaires about their courses. Recentralisation of Administration Services stated that work and staff will be transferred from the Faculty Offices to the Central Administration.  There will still be typing/clerical services for Departments.  The 94 staff who had applied for the unspecified number of Principal Lecturer post some months before were still waiting for the outcome.  Dennis Rutley thanked Margaret for her services as typist and arranger of the weekly publications.

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