The staff enewsletter is brought to you by the communications and press team. If you have any feedback on the enewsletter, please send your comments to webcomms@leeds.ac.uk
Leeds University Union (LUU) is again organising an event to observe Remembrance Day on behalf of the Union and the University, with a ceremony outside the Union Building at 11am on 11 November. Read more about the Remembrance Day event
The first meeting on Friday 11 November with the Vice-Chancellor and members of the senior team is now fully booked. Places are still available for the meetings on Thursday 17 and Friday 25 November. Members of the senior team will be discussing how the University is preparing for its future, particularly for the next 3-5 years. You will have the chance to ask questions and share your ideas and suggestions about what else might be done. See details of times, locations and how to register
The University wants to reward excellent contribution and is again making the opportunity to apply for contribution pay available. Find out more about contribution pay
The University's draft guide to the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2014 is now available for your information. The draft has been discussed at FMG and Senate. Please note that this document is only available on campus or via remote access. Read the draft guide
Open meetings for staff, chaired by Professor David Hogg, Pro-Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation will be held on 12 December 2011 and Tuesday 10 January 2012 to explain the University's approach to REF2014 in more detail and further communications will be planned over the next 12 months as the University develops and refines this approach. See details of times and locations
Over the last few weeks, the number 40,647 has appeared in various guises across campus, representing the total number of staff and students at the University. The appearance of this number marks the launch of the University's carbon reduction campaign, which supports the plan to reduce energy usage across the University's estate. Over the coming months the University will be highlighting a number of areas, such as lighting, heating and computers, where we could all make a real difference. Visit the website for energy saving tips, to explode some myths and pledge to take action
The communications and press team would love to know what you think of the redesigned enewsletter, including whether you had any problems viewing it. Please send your comments to webcomms@leeds.ac.uk
A new procedure is now in place for the disposal of confidential waste papers and requires all confidential papers to be placed in blue bags. Read the full procedure
Any queries should be directed to Janet Willis, Cleaning Services Manager on ext 33434.
Consultation for health and safety training - this proposed new protocol will be available for comment for four weeks from Friday 18 November at www.leeds.ac.uk/safety. If you would like to receive a direct link to the consultation when it goes online you should email c.oneill@leeds.ac.uk as soon as possible.
Risk management of biological safety - this approved protocol is now online. It covers hazardous biological agents and multicellular organisms which can harm - ie cause infection, allergy, toxicity - or otherwise create a hazard to, human or animal health or the environment, and any genetically modified organism. Find out more about the biological safety protocol
Risk management of study abroad - The University applies a risk-based approach to support the student experience whilst students are studying at a partner organisation. Find out more about the study abroad protocol
New 'beta' Library website
The Library is working on a new website - http://beta.library.leeds.ac.uk/ - to be launched in semester two next year. Library staff would like your views on the beta site, so your feedback can be incorporated into the new site before the end of the year. There are two ways you can give feedback: by completing a short online survey (with a chance to win a £50 Amazon voucher) - follow the 'tell us what you think' links on the beta site, or by volunteering for a one-to-one testing session. Or you can be really helpful and do both.
Library survey - and enter the draw for an iPad2
Please share your views and experience of the Library's services. The bi-annual survey runs until Monday 21 November, and the results, which will be published on the Library's website, are used to shape services.
The University will be trialling a weekly Farmers' Market, starting on Monday 28 November from 10am to 4pm on the precinct, outside the students' union. There will be eight stall holders selling a variety of produce such as cheese, eggs, bread, cakes and fruit and vegetables. Initially, the market will run for two weeks until the end of term and then will restart in mid-February.
Despite recent changes to the Universities Superannuation Scheme which were designed to reduce future risks to the scheme, the latest USS valuation shows the fund is likely to have a £2.9bn deficit. The triennial valuation of the USS, which is legally required, was completed on 31 March. The USS board has finalised proposals for the assumptions it will use to assess whether the scheme's assets are sufficient to cover its liabilities in pensions owed. The proposals have been circulated to the 67 member universities by Universities UK (UUK), with a request for comments and the USS Board will consider the UUK response to the proposals at its meeting on 18 November. Read more about the USS valuation
The USS Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) has announced that a new working group will be formally established in December 2011 to improve dialogue between the employers and the UCU. Find out more about this new working group
Send your story or comments on the For Staff website to the Communications team, email internalcomms@leeds.ac.uk or call extension 38562