For Staff

June enews: Preparing for 2012

The staff enewsletter is brought to you by the communications and press team. If you'd like to let us know what you think of the enewsletter, be it positive or negative, please send your comments to webcomms@leeds.ac.uk

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Preparing for 2012

A package of briefing materials has been prepared to help staff describe Leeds and explain fees and financial support arrangements for 2012 to prospective undergraduates and their parents. The briefing pack is intended for all staff and is being provided in addition to the dedicated open day briefings.

For more information see http://forstaff.leeds.ac.uk/homepage/316/preparing_for_2012

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USS pensions update

The USS Joint Negotiating Committee and Board of Trustees have approved proposed changes to the scheme, to take effect from 1 October 2011.

Find out more, including a summary of the changes at http://forstaff.leeds.ac.uk/homepage/67/pensions

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Health and safety policy

Once a year all staff should visit the University health and safety policy to check that they are fully aware of their responsibilities. The policy is updated every two years to ensure it is relevant. For a hard copy ask your health and safety manager or email safety@leeds.ac.uk For an electronic version go to http://www.leeds.ac.uk/safety/policy.htm

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New standard for University signage

All new signage for University buildings must comply with the newly-released Signage Design Guide, and should be procured via Estate Services.

For more information see http://forstaff.leeds.ac.uk/news/article/2047/

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Open day traffic disruption

Leeds City Council is planning road works on Leeds' inner loop which will affect the open day on Saturday 25 June. Further information and advice will be published on 'For staff' on Friday 17 June.

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Student clusters and lecture theatres to move to Windows 7

From the start of the next academic session (2011/12) all clusters and lecture theatres will run Windows 7 with Internet Explorer 8. The migration of student clusters is the first phase of a programme to move all eligible University machines to Windows 7 in advance of April 2014, when Microsoft withdraws support for the Windows XP operating system.

Find out more at http://forstaff.leeds.ac.uk/news/article/2108/

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VLE downtime 18 - 30 June

The University will upgrade the VLE this summer. As part of this work, the VLE will be unavailable from the 18 to 30 June.

Find out more at http://forstaff.leeds.ac.uk/news/article/2110/

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Professor Andrew Thompson

After eight consecutive years in senior management roles in the University, Professor Andrew Thompson has decided to step down as Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research and Innovation. This will allow him return to concentrate on his own internationally excellent research in Colonial and Post Colonial studies. The University will seek a replacement to take office from 1 August 2011. In the meantime, Professor Edward Spiers will continue to serve as acting Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research and Innovation.

For more information see http://forstaff.leeds.ac.uk/news/article/2012/

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Professor Richard Williams

Richard Williams has accepted an appointment as Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Head of College of Engineering and Physical Sciences at the University of Birmingham, to start in the next academic session. Our very best wishes and congratulations go to Richard, together with our thanks and appreciation for his work over the past eleven and a half years, in both academic and leadership roles at Leeds.

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Travel survey results

The results of the University's 2011 travel survey are out, showing our progress against our 2013 targets.

View the results at http://forstaff.leeds.ac.uk/news/article/2076/

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Honorary degree nominations

Members of the University are invited to submit names for consideration by the Committee on Honorary Degrees when it meets in the autumn.

For details of how to make a nomination see http://forstaff.leeds.ac.uk/news/article/2085/

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Staff Festival 2011 - Friday 9 September

Save the date and bring your colleagues, partner or family to join in. This year has a street party theme and we'll have traditional fairground games, have-a-go workshops, tombola, kids' zone, stalls selling local produce, a wellbeing chillout area and delicious food and drink. We're already looking for stallholders, performers of all kinds (rock bands, choirs, buskers, jugglers etc), have-a-go workshop leaders, volunteers beforehand (from carpenters to help with promoting it) and stewards on the day. If you'd like to be involved, have prizes for the tombola or would like to join the email information list, don't hesitate to contact c.oneill@leeds.ac.uk

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The Edge summer promotion

Come and use the fantastic facilities in The Edge this summer and enjoy 10 consecutive days' membership for only £15. This offer is available during June, July and August. You can sign up at The Edge Reception and start shaping up for the holidays straight away!

If you would like any further information, email The Edge - edgemembership@leeds.ac.uk - or telephone on 0113 343 7406.

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HM the Queen's Diamond Jubilee bank holiday

To mark HM the Queen's Diamond Jubilee in 2012, an additional bank holiday has been granted on Tuesday 5 June and the traditional bank holiday at the end of May will be moved to 4 June. As the additional bank holiday will fall at a time when the University would ordinarily be closed by custom and practice, it has been agreed that staff will be granted an extra day of disposable leave in 2012. The day should be added to your usual entitlement for 2011-12.