Author Archives: Alan Smith

Letter to senior management about unnecessary face to face teaching and student services during covid-19 pandemic

UCU University of Leeds Branch Posted on by

Email sent 2.15pm Friday 18 September 2020 on behalf of UCU University of Leeds Branch to the University of Leeds deputy vice-chancellor for student education, copied to the university secretary and to the director of Human Resources. Dear [deputy vice-chancellor] We are writing to you in relation to the increasing pressure which is being experienced by staff to provide face to face teaching on campus over this academic year. Over the summer, staff involved in teaching and student support have worked incredibly hard to produce teaching materials, and design teaching and student support and community building processes that operate online in order to provide student education in safe circumstances. A number of Schools and Faculties had had plans approved to provide student education wholly online in Semester 1, because of their judgment that teaching and student support can not only be effectively provided online but, in many cases, can be better provided online given social distancing rules that will impact how we work face to face. We now understand that those Schools are being required to provide face to face activity where none was previously planned, requiring changes in planning, staff to teach face to face and in many cases … continue reading

Motions passed at general meeting 15 September

UCU University of Leeds Branch Posted on by

At a general meeting on 15 September 2020 members voted to support the following motions: Emergency motion 1 – On-line teaching: health & safety and jobs This meeting notes: the call by our GS and iSAGE for all teaching to be held online UCU’s five tests pressures on all staff for face-to-face teaching that iSAGE/WHO believe social distancing, test, track and isolate and PPE are central in controlling pandemics a potential second wave of Covid-19 with high R-rates in Yorkshire/Humberside lives, health, safety and jobs should take priority over the financial ‘bottom line’ The University sits on over £70 million of reserves which must be utilised if necessary to meet demands during this period. This meeting requests: Leeds UCU to campaign for and negotiate agreements on: no face-to-face teaching and student support in at least the first semester of 2020/21 and continued into the second semester (to be reviewed in December 2020) other than where there are no other options, e.g. some practical work all on-line teaching to be accessible provision of IT and safe quiet study spaces for all students and staff as required continuing with high levels of support and training for staff in online teaching, and ensuring … continue reading

General meeting will decide branch response to covid-19 increase

UCU University of Leeds Branch Posted on by

Emergency motions have been submitted to today’s general meeting in light of the increased covid-19 levels nationally and locally. The motions suggest how we should respond as a branch locally, and how the union should respond nationally. The meeting, which is for all members of the UCU University of Leeds branch, is 1pm – 2pm Tuesday 15 September. Meeting link and updated agenda including the emergency motions is in an email sent to all members by branch administrator Alan Smith today. [Edited 11.44 15 September as more than one motion now received]

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Scheduled general meetings for 2020-2021

UCU University of Leeds Branch Posted on by

These are the meetings for all members of the UCU University of Leeds branch. These are our meetings where we make collective decisions as a branch. All members are entitled to submit motions to these meetings. Meeting link / location will be notified by email nearer the time. There may be additional extraordinary or emergency general meetings during the year at the request of members / committee / officers. For more about how to make branch policy and how to make general meetings work for everyone see ‘making UCU general meetings work better’ Motions should be sent to ucu@leeds.ac.uk. Tuesday 15 September 2020, 1pm – 2pm The deadline to submit motions to this meeting is 12pm on Tuesday 8 September. This meeting would be the last scheduled opportunity for the branch to agree: Any motions from the branch to the UCU special higher education sector conference on 30 September Any emergency motions or amendments to the motions from the branch to the postponed UCU Congress 2020 provisionally being held 28-30 October. Thursday 22 October, 12pm – 1pm The deadline to submit motions to this meeting is 12pm on Tuesday 6 October. This meeting would be the last scheduled opportunity for … continue reading

New UCU branch committee

UCU University of Leeds Branch Posted on by

The new UCU University of Leeds branch committee starts its one-year term of office today. Committee officers President: Ben PlumptonVice-president: Chloe WallaceImmediate past president: Vicky BlakeTreasurer: Aisha WalkerHonorary secretary: Tim GoodallMembership officer: Alaric HallEquality officer: Dima Barakat ChamiCampaigns officer: Lesley McGorriganHealth and safety officer: Neil MaughanAnti-casualisation officer: vacancy Committee members Alan RoeAlexa Athelstan-PriceAndy WestBrendon NichollsGabriella AlbertiHugh HubbardJane HolgateJonathan HumeLata NarayanaswamyLaura Loyola HernandezMark Taylor-BattyMark WalkleyMegan PoveyPaul SteensonRachel WallsRuth HollidaySue Taplin Your department reps are listed at leedsucu.org.uk/about-us/departmental-representatives

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