Ryan x
Sunday, December 24, 2006
Thursday, December 21, 2006
Plagiarism
Many students are anxious about plagiarism and correct referencing. Deliberate plagiarism is a serious acadmic offence. However, accidental plagiarism is usually due to poor academic practice. Click here for top tips and good practice that will help you understand that avoiding plagiarism is not a secret formula, but plain commonsense.
Is Guinness good for you?
Hmm, i like a guinness....
found this article on the web - makes me feel better!!
Guinness is good for me - fact!
Last Wednesday Night @ the union....
Last Wednesday of term = packed union = amazing night = another reason why i love my job!
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
Teaching & Learning Strategy
Below is an article from Spark (24/11/06) on the Teaching and Learning Strategy. After reading the below.....It would be great if students could do a small survey to rate the values they feel underpin the teaching and learning experience here at Reading.
CLICK HERE TO DO SURVEY - it will take no more than 2 minutes.
These values will be compared to the staff results..! They will then go on to form part of the strategy. So have your say!
Thanks Ryan
r.j.e.bird@reading.ac.uk
The Teaching and Learning Strategy is a document which outlines the direction of teaching and learning for the next five to six years making it extremely important for current and prospective students.
Professor Robson will be working with student officers, VP Education Ryan Bird and VP Development Emily Beardsmore and will next week be asking students and staff to rank the values that they think underpin teaching and learning at the university. For example, do you find it more important to have a stimulating lecture or how diverse the course is? The response will be worked into the new strategy which lasts until 2010.
Mr Bird is keen to emphasise the importance of this document even though it does not sound a particularly sexy topic. He said: 'Universities exist to produce knowledge, and students are a focal part of that existence, and the teaching & learning strategy puts students at the heart of this.”
Importance is placed on the skills needed by graduates to break into the job market after university. As a result the university wants to highlight the skills gained from students’ courses, and programmes outside the academic sphere. For example employers are looking for more graduates who have volunteered during their degree so as a result the university wants to improve this to enhance every Reading graduate to their full potential.
For those of you reading this dying to know more of this important and interesting strategy here are a few extracts from it. Under the title, Vision, it states: “Using our distinctive taught provision based upon the ‘Reading graduate’ and underpinned and informed by the research and scholarly activities of our staff, we will foster an increasingly diverse student population; enable them to achieve their learning ambitions through the flexibility of our delivery and the support of a strong learning and teaching community; and equip them with the academic and transferable skills necessary for them to succeed beyond graduation.”
By the time students graduate the document says you should have demonstrated scholarship appropriate to their level of award in their chosen discipline(s), demonstrated the ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing, acquired appropriate IT and information handling skills and the list goes on.
The university is one of the United Kingdom’s leading research intensive institutions of higher education and their mission? “Our mission is to promote the growth, transfer and application of knowledge.”
CLICK HERE TO DO SURVEY - it will take no more than 2 minutes.
These values will be compared to the staff results..! They will then go on to form part of the strategy. So have your say!
Thanks Ryan
r.j.e.bird@reading.ac.uk
Spark Article (24/11/06) - T & L
Students will get the opportunity to have their say on what they think about teaching and learning at the University of Reading in the next week.
Newly appointed Pro-Vice Chancellor for Teaching & Learning Professor Rob Robson is keen to update the current approach to how the university teaches and what the aims are for the future.
Newly appointed Pro-Vice Chancellor for Teaching & Learning Professor Rob Robson is keen to update the current approach to how the university teaches and what the aims are for the future.
The Teaching and Learning Strategy is a document which outlines the direction of teaching and learning for the next five to six years making it extremely important for current and prospective students.Professor Robson will be working with student officers, VP Education Ryan Bird and VP Development Emily Beardsmore and will next week be asking students and staff to rank the values that they think underpin teaching and learning at the university. For example, do you find it more important to have a stimulating lecture or how diverse the course is? The response will be worked into the new strategy which lasts until 2010.
Mr Bird is keen to emphasise the importance of this document even though it does not sound a particularly sexy topic. He said: 'Universities exist to produce knowledge, and students are a focal part of that existence, and the teaching & learning strategy puts students at the heart of this.”
Importance is placed on the skills needed by graduates to break into the job market after university. As a result the university wants to highlight the skills gained from students’ courses, and programmes outside the academic sphere. For example employers are looking for more graduates who have volunteered during their degree so as a result the university wants to improve this to enhance every Reading graduate to their full potential.
For those of you reading this dying to know more of this important and interesting strategy here are a few extracts from it. Under the title, Vision, it states: “Using our distinctive taught provision based upon the ‘Reading graduate’ and underpinned and informed by the research and scholarly activities of our staff, we will foster an increasingly diverse student population; enable them to achieve their learning ambitions through the flexibility of our delivery and the support of a strong learning and teaching community; and equip them with the academic and transferable skills necessary for them to succeed beyond graduation.”
By the time students graduate the document says you should have demonstrated scholarship appropriate to their level of award in their chosen discipline(s), demonstrated the ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing, acquired appropriate IT and information handling skills and the list goes on.
The university is one of the United Kingdom’s leading research intensive institutions of higher education and their mission? “Our mission is to promote the growth, transfer and application of knowledge.”
Sunday, December 10, 2006
Feedback....
Way back in August/September the a University Press Release on the National Student Survey (NSS) stated how well the University scored, but one area in which Reading could improve (as with many ofther Uni's) is Assesment and Feedback....
So i started asking myself some questions..
What is feedback?
How long should students wait for an essay to be returned?
Is generic group feedback is useful?
Do students read the comments on essays?
Are proforma sheets (tickbox) on essays good feedback?
Is the final percentage important?
Is this lower score a question of students not being aware of what feedback is....? or Academics not giving enough quality feedback? Currently we are gathering information from departments and schools about this, and shortly will be asking student....
This year's finalists will be asked to fill in the survey for 2006/7 after christmas...more will follow!
Any comments on this on please email me
Ryan
r.j.e.bird@reading.ac.uk
So i started asking myself some questions..
What is feedback?
How long should students wait for an essay to be returned?
Is generic group feedback is useful?
Do students read the comments on essays?
Are proforma sheets (tickbox) on essays good feedback?
Is the final percentage important?
Is this lower score a question of students not being aware of what feedback is....? or Academics not giving enough quality feedback? Currently we are gathering information from departments and schools about this, and shortly will be asking student....
This year's finalists will be asked to fill in the survey for 2006/7 after christmas...more will follow!
Any comments on this on please email me
Ryan
r.j.e.bird@reading.ac.uk
Friday, December 08, 2006
What have i been doing....? Overview of report sent to Education Committee
Education Committee – 30/11/06
VP Education Report
This report is intended to give a brief overview of the things I have been up to recently, and also some of what my role entails. There are three sections, which I see as the key parts of the VP Education Role – Representation, Campaigning & Support.
Representing Students
The majority of my time is taken up in University meetings, I have listed most of them below to give you an idea of the range and quantity. Its great having the opportunity to input in to these meetings, ranging from very operation ones such at Timetabling through to strategic meetings such as the University Board for Teaching & Learning and up to the highest level meetings of Senate & Council. During these meetings I provide the student perspective, but also sitting on so many I also get a good insight of the structure and processes in the University, the student voice is vital, and can really steer change in the University. Course & Faculty Reps are also a major part of this representation, and considerable amounts of work has been done training and supporting them.
>Some of my Meetings & Committees
Careers Advisory Board, Centre for Excellence for Careers Management, Post Graduate, Information Security & Strategy, Welfare Support & Guidance, University Board for Teaching and Learning, University Board for Research, Teaching & Learning Facilities(T &L) , IT in T & L, Web Steering Group, Programme Management, Blackboard working groups, PDP, Teaching & Learning Strategy Review, University Council, University Senate, Bookshop Advisory Board, Student Union Liaison Committee, Group on Student Recruitment, Centre for Excellence in Undergraduate Research Skills, Examinations & Assessment, Failures Committee Review, CSV, Curators of the Library.....
Elected Chair of University Staff/Student Forum
>Conferences & Training I have attended
National Student Learner Programme (NSLP)
NUS Education Officer Training
Research Based learning in Higher Education.
Research Assesment Exersise (RAE) student consultation exercise
STADIA – Student Activites & Development (Course Reps)
Campaigning for Students
In terms of campaigning, this term has seen a mass of activity in the education zone. The National Demo was the first campaign, in which students joined a rally in London saying No to soaring levels of debt, No to any attempt to lift the cap, No to the marketisation of education & yes to a free education for all. The work around this really raised the issue and has students talking about it. This is part of a national long term campaign which is working towards keeping the cap in 2010. More work on this will carry on through the year.
The Physics Closure has been a real challenge, and also been the lowest point of my time at RUSU. The recommendation of the closure arrived late on Friday on the eve of Freshers Week and just before the biggest open day of the year (which I had worked hard on with the University) this was not an easy start to the year. The campaign was very strong, with good arguments and great support from students, staff and also raised issues at a national level. We worked closely with the Lectures Union (UCU) who all said how strong our campaign was. Unfortunately University Senate & Council voted for the closure, purely on financial reasons. Our focus now is on the future education of the students in the department, and I will be working closely with the University on this.
Supporting Students
There has been increased pressure on resources with a key member of staff leaving, the role is being reviewed and the position to be filled after Christmas, this support for Course Reps etc will continue through VP Education until then.
We are also working on a bid to the University for an Education Advisor. This role is to support the VP Education & Advice team in terms of academic appeals & complaints. This has taken a considerable amount of my time up, and this post is now top of the synergies agenda with the University. It has been approved at all levels, but were the money comes from is now up for consultation. This post will also support the work needed in regards to the QAA next year.
Course Rep Training – over 80 Course Reps trained, brings current number to 350+. Training sessions had excellent feedback, and has improved year on year.
Work on the Faculty Representation implementation group has continued, and a series of papers have now been completed for Students, Faculty Staff and Department/School staff. On going work includes the mapping of University Committees/meetings there function and membership.
I have been involved in the co-ordination and delivery of MASIV and the RUReady training sessions.
I have also helped set up the Mature Students Society, this is a real step forward and will help us to represent their views and issues to a higher standard.
Plans for the Future – notes on some of the ongoing work I will be doing.
• Continued work on the Demo
• Plagiarism Awareness – work starts next week.
• Improving Assessment & Feedback
• Post Grad society/representation group
• Further work on embedding the Course Rep system
• Course Rep training
• Lobbying for Educational Advisor
• Improved teaching & learning facilities at Bulmershe
• Working with the Library in relation to opening hours and the refurbishment of the ground floor.
• Review of Teaching & Learning strategy
• Pilots for Blackboard
• PDP
• Representing students at University Committees and meetings.
• The start of the QAA
• SE Weighting Campaign
• Finance Campaign/ Exam Stress
VP Education Report
This report is intended to give a brief overview of the things I have been up to recently, and also some of what my role entails. There are three sections, which I see as the key parts of the VP Education Role – Representation, Campaigning & Support.
Representing Students
The majority of my time is taken up in University meetings, I have listed most of them below to give you an idea of the range and quantity. Its great having the opportunity to input in to these meetings, ranging from very operation ones such at Timetabling through to strategic meetings such as the University Board for Teaching & Learning and up to the highest level meetings of Senate & Council. During these meetings I provide the student perspective, but also sitting on so many I also get a good insight of the structure and processes in the University, the student voice is vital, and can really steer change in the University. Course & Faculty Reps are also a major part of this representation, and considerable amounts of work has been done training and supporting them.
>Some of my Meetings & Committees
Careers Advisory Board, Centre for Excellence for Careers Management, Post Graduate, Information Security & Strategy, Welfare Support & Guidance, University Board for Teaching and Learning, University Board for Research, Teaching & Learning Facilities(T &L) , IT in T & L, Web Steering Group, Programme Management, Blackboard working groups, PDP, Teaching & Learning Strategy Review, University Council, University Senate, Bookshop Advisory Board, Student Union Liaison Committee, Group on Student Recruitment, Centre for Excellence in Undergraduate Research Skills, Examinations & Assessment, Failures Committee Review, CSV, Curators of the Library.....
Elected Chair of University Staff/Student Forum
>Conferences & Training I have attended
National Student Learner Programme (NSLP)
NUS Education Officer Training
Research Based learning in Higher Education.
Research Assesment Exersise (RAE) student consultation exercise
STADIA – Student Activites & Development (Course Reps)
Campaigning for Students
In terms of campaigning, this term has seen a mass of activity in the education zone. The National Demo was the first campaign, in which students joined a rally in London saying No to soaring levels of debt, No to any attempt to lift the cap, No to the marketisation of education & yes to a free education for all. The work around this really raised the issue and has students talking about it. This is part of a national long term campaign which is working towards keeping the cap in 2010. More work on this will carry on through the year.
The Physics Closure has been a real challenge, and also been the lowest point of my time at RUSU. The recommendation of the closure arrived late on Friday on the eve of Freshers Week and just before the biggest open day of the year (which I had worked hard on with the University) this was not an easy start to the year. The campaign was very strong, with good arguments and great support from students, staff and also raised issues at a national level. We worked closely with the Lectures Union (UCU) who all said how strong our campaign was. Unfortunately University Senate & Council voted for the closure, purely on financial reasons. Our focus now is on the future education of the students in the department, and I will be working closely with the University on this.
Supporting Students
There has been increased pressure on resources with a key member of staff leaving, the role is being reviewed and the position to be filled after Christmas, this support for Course Reps etc will continue through VP Education until then.
We are also working on a bid to the University for an Education Advisor. This role is to support the VP Education & Advice team in terms of academic appeals & complaints. This has taken a considerable amount of my time up, and this post is now top of the synergies agenda with the University. It has been approved at all levels, but were the money comes from is now up for consultation. This post will also support the work needed in regards to the QAA next year.
Course Rep Training – over 80 Course Reps trained, brings current number to 350+. Training sessions had excellent feedback, and has improved year on year.
Work on the Faculty Representation implementation group has continued, and a series of papers have now been completed for Students, Faculty Staff and Department/School staff. On going work includes the mapping of University Committees/meetings there function and membership.
I have been involved in the co-ordination and delivery of MASIV and the RUReady training sessions.
I have also helped set up the Mature Students Society, this is a real step forward and will help us to represent their views and issues to a higher standard.
Plans for the Future – notes on some of the ongoing work I will be doing.
• Continued work on the Demo
• Plagiarism Awareness – work starts next week.
• Improving Assessment & Feedback
• Post Grad society/representation group
• Further work on embedding the Course Rep system
• Course Rep training
• Lobbying for Educational Advisor
• Improved teaching & learning facilities at Bulmershe
• Working with the Library in relation to opening hours and the refurbishment of the ground floor.
• Review of Teaching & Learning strategy
• Pilots for Blackboard
• PDP
• Representing students at University Committees and meetings.
• The start of the QAA
• SE Weighting Campaign
• Finance Campaign/ Exam Stress
Physics Press Release
PHYSICS STILL GETS THE AXE DESPITE STRONG OPPOSITION FROM STUDENTS AND STAFF
The controversial proposal to close Physics at Reading has been approved by the University Council. It comes with great disappointment to both students and lecturers, after weeks of strong campaigning. Huge support came locally, nationally and internationally, yet despite all this Reading is set to lose one of the most fundamental sciences in 2010.
Students and lecturers came together in solidarity both campaigning and voicing their concerns about the closure. Before the council meeting around 200 protesters marched through the university, and were addressed by several speakers including Sally Hunt, UCU joint secretary and Dave Lewis, RUSU President. Calls were made for a more detailed analysis of the department’s future, the implications of closure and the possibility of alternatives, these were pushed aside by Council, and the fate of Physics was sealed with 18 votes for the closure, 5 against and 1 abstention.
Dave Lewis, President and Ryan Bird, VP Education were at the lengthy meeting which was guarded by security. There was much discussion and support to keep Physics, yet the final decision was shadowed by lines from the corporate plan which included the need to invest into areas of excellence and to enhance the financial viability of the university, the Council decided not to keep Physics open on these grounds. With around 40% of Physics lectures attended by students outside physics, this closure will affect Maths, Meteorology, and Chemistry to name a few.
Dave Lewis, President said:
‘With Mechanical Engineering, Music, Sociology and now Physics all disappearing from the Reading portfolio in the past few years, people will be asking which subject is next.’
‘The University talk of their commitment to pure science, yet the closure of Physics does not echo this. With the loss of the Physics department goes lecturers, PhD students, laboratory equipment, collaboration with departments and choice for students.’
‘The financial position of the University dominated the discussion, whilst an important factor, wider issues seemed to be avoided including perception from the academic community, choice and demands of students, the Goverment agenda, the student experience and relationships with stakeholders'
Ryan Bird, VP Education added:
‘It comes with great frustration and disappointment that council voted for the closure, six months ago a review concluded that an important and strong, viable physics presence was in line with the corporate plan, yet since then physics has gone from important to only desirable. The only change is in the Universities finances, and that should not have been to the detriment of Physics’
‘To lose such a fundamental science in a research based institution, seems crazy, at a time when students are looking in more and more detail at universities, they will see a large gap in the science portfolio at Reading’
RUSU will be working closely with the university to ensure that the education of current Physics students is not disadvantaged by this decision, and that promises by senior management to keep a presence in physics at Reading including areas such as Nanoscience and Microscopy are followed up.
Ends
Notes to Editors
RUSU, independent from the University of Reading, represents the interests, diversity and needs of over 17,000 students. The Union is run for students by students, offering advice, services, support and welfare. They also run bars. The Students’ Union offers a variety of entertainments, events and campaigns for a diverse and demanding student population.
For more information contact: President, Dave Lewis d.c.lewis@rdg.ac.uk, 07973 503 401 or VP Education, Ryan Bird r.j.e.bird@rdg.ac.uk 07980 697 089
More info on the closure avaliable here
UCU Photos of the protest
The controversial proposal to close Physics at Reading has been approved by the University Council. It comes with great disappointment to both students and lecturers, after weeks of strong campaigning. Huge support came locally, nationally and internationally, yet despite all this Reading is set to lose one of the most fundamental sciences in 2010.
Students and lecturers came together in solidarity both campaigning and voicing their concerns about the closure. Before the council meeting around 200 protesters marched through the university, and were addressed by several speakers including Sally Hunt, UCU joint secretary and Dave Lewis, RUSU President. Calls were made for a more detailed analysis of the department’s future, the implications of closure and the possibility of alternatives, these were pushed aside by Council, and the fate of Physics was sealed with 18 votes for the closure, 5 against and 1 abstention.
Dave Lewis, President and Ryan Bird, VP Education were at the lengthy meeting which was guarded by security. There was much discussion and support to keep Physics, yet the final decision was shadowed by lines from the corporate plan which included the need to invest into areas of excellence and to enhance the financial viability of the university, the Council decided not to keep Physics open on these grounds. With around 40% of Physics lectures attended by students outside physics, this closure will affect Maths, Meteorology, and Chemistry to name a few.
Dave Lewis, President said:
‘With Mechanical Engineering, Music, Sociology and now Physics all disappearing from the Reading portfolio in the past few years, people will be asking which subject is next.’
‘The University talk of their commitment to pure science, yet the closure of Physics does not echo this. With the loss of the Physics department goes lecturers, PhD students, laboratory equipment, collaboration with departments and choice for students.’
‘The financial position of the University dominated the discussion, whilst an important factor, wider issues seemed to be avoided including perception from the academic community, choice and demands of students, the Goverment agenda, the student experience and relationships with stakeholders'
Ryan Bird, VP Education added:
‘It comes with great frustration and disappointment that council voted for the closure, six months ago a review concluded that an important and strong, viable physics presence was in line with the corporate plan, yet since then physics has gone from important to only desirable. The only change is in the Universities finances, and that should not have been to the detriment of Physics’
‘To lose such a fundamental science in a research based institution, seems crazy, at a time when students are looking in more and more detail at universities, they will see a large gap in the science portfolio at Reading’
RUSU will be working closely with the university to ensure that the education of current Physics students is not disadvantaged by this decision, and that promises by senior management to keep a presence in physics at Reading including areas such as Nanoscience and Microscopy are followed up.
Ends
Notes to Editors
RUSU, independent from the University of Reading, represents the interests, diversity and needs of over 17,000 students. The Union is run for students by students, offering advice, services, support and welfare. They also run bars. The Students’ Union offers a variety of entertainments, events and campaigns for a diverse and demanding student population.
For more information contact: President, Dave Lewis d.c.lewis@rdg.ac.uk, 07973 503 401 or VP Education, Ryan Bird r.j.e.bird@rdg.ac.uk 07980 697 089
More info on the closure avaliable here
UCU Photos of the protest
National Demo
Thanks for coming to the demo, and thank you for taking part in a campaigning, vibrant and active student community. The work on this has only just begun.........
We're only as strong as our weakest member, so its important that we work towards a Higher Education system which is properly funded and where students can make decisions based on quality not cost.
Pictures of the day can be found below...
http://www.rusu.co.uk/DisplayPage.asp?pageid=20131
Ryan x
We're only as strong as our weakest member, so its important that we work towards a Higher Education system which is properly funded and where students can make decisions based on quality not cost.
Pictures of the day can be found below...
http://www.rusu.co.uk/DisplayPage.asp?pageid=20131
Ryan x
Wednesday, October 25, 2006
Course Rep Training
Emails have been flying out this week to academic staff about the course rep training which is taking place in week 4 - next week, yet it feels like Fresher's Week was only days ago. So much has happen though since....
This evening i have finished the first issue of the course rep newsletter, which will go out tomorrow - once my email decides to work again!
Below is a copy of the training details - don't forget, even if you did the training last year please come along, your experience and input will be excellent for those reps who are just starting out.
-------------
Training for Course Reps will take place during week 4. Please email volunteer@reading.ac.uk with your preferred sessions. Any student that sits on a Staff-Student Committee is welcome to come along, the sessions are interactive and informative. We had excellent feedback from last year.
Monday 30th Oct 6.30-8.30pm Palmer 106
Tuesday 31st Oct 12-2pm Palmer G05
Thursday 2nd Nov 12-2pm Palmer 107
Also this year we have Faculty Rep training
Friday 3rd Nov 12-2 Palmer G02
This will have RUSU and University input, and is an additional session to the Course Rep Training, providing more detailed sessions on meetings, minutes and communication.
We will re-run some extra sessions in week 7 for those who miss any of the above.
If you have any questions about the training or the scheme, please contact Ryan Bird r.j.e.bird@reading.ac.uk or visit www.rusu.co.uk/coursereps. Also I would be grateful if you could email me details of your new reps so I can add them to the RUSU Course Rep mailing list.
Many thanks
Ryan
Monday 30th Oct 6.30-8.30pm Palmer 106
Tuesday 31st Oct 12-2pm Palmer G05
Thursday 2nd Nov 12-2pm Palmer 107
Also this year we have Faculty Rep training
Friday 3rd Nov 12-2 Palmer G02
This will have RUSU and University input, and is an additional session to the Course Rep Training, providing more detailed sessions on meetings, minutes and communication.
We will re-run some extra sessions in week 7 for those who miss any of the above.
If you have any questions about the training or the scheme, please contact Ryan Bird r.j.e.bird@reading.ac.uk or visit www.rusu.co.uk/coursereps. Also I would be grateful if you could email me details of your new reps so I can add them to the RUSU Course Rep mailing list.
Many thanks
Ryan
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
National Demo Tickets now on sale.......!
Tickets are avaliable from the Box Office
£2 to secure your place on the coach, free breakfast @ rusu before the coaches leave, plus a ticket to the 'After Demo Debate' on Thursday Week 4.
Join us for our day out in London............
Our voice will be heard!
Ryan
www.rusu.co.uk/demo
£2 to secure your place on the coach, free breakfast @ rusu before the coaches leave, plus a ticket to the 'After Demo Debate' on Thursday Week 4.
Join us for our day out in London............
Our voice will be heard!
Ryan
www.rusu.co.uk/demo
Friday, October 13, 2006
National Demo
With Just over two weeks to go, the Demo is fast upon us.
I have spent some time today updating the website www.rusu.co.uk/demo
and entering over half of the emails from the petition during freshers week.... guess what i will be doing with my sunday afternoon.....
Give it a go sessions will start next week, your chance to pop along to 3sixty @ lunchtimes to take part in some pre demo action. chants, letters to MPs, T-shirt printing.... and many more check the demo website for more information.
Tickets go on sale on monday from the box office, £2 to secure your place on the coach, plus a free breakfast, and ticket for the after demo debate in week 4 (more to follow).
Its going to be a great day out.... so keep sunday 29th October free in your diary.
Ryan
After a dissapointing Senate - We carry on the fight....
The university press release about senate's comments on the Physics closure - found here
The unions response is below.
Friday 12th OctoberUniversity Management forcing through Physics closure
Following a tense and thorough examination of the University’s Senior Management’s recommendation to close the Physics department, University Senate, the Academic Governing body, voted in favour of the plans.
It what can only be seen as a blow to its reputation in the world of science, Reading University’s plans to close down Physics are only weeks away from final ascent.
Senior Management were quick to rubbish their own report from six months ago which promised to solve the future of Physics. Despite conceding that they had solved short term budget problems, Senior Management were persistent in trying to condemn Physics to the long list of departments they have axed over the years.
The Students’ Union were quick to identify the lack of any joined up thinking within the sector, due to Bill Rammell MP, Minister of State for Higher Education and Life Long Learning announcing his commitment on Tuesday to science at Higher Education with £18million worth of initiatives to create more demand from school pupils. The University were accused of hypocrisy and short-sightedness during Senate by Faculty Representatives.
It also emerged that the University of Reading had sought support from HEFCE before consulting staff, students and campus Unions. This blasé attitude to dealing with the issues left many wondering about the University’s commitment to the campus community.
Dave Lewis, RUSU President
"It was a shame that the VC had to blackmail academics to accept his plans, promising to cut posts and cut funding if they didn’t back him."
"Academics were overwhelming in their support for a Physics presence at Reading, and acknowledged that with the closure of Physics goes any credibility that Reading had towards physical sciences"
"We remain as committed as ever to a University that promotes diversity over narrowness and students over surplus"
Ryan Bird Vice-President Education
"The last few weeks have been incredible; students in Reading organising themselves to campaign against these plans. We have listened loud and clear to the views, opinions and values of both prospective and current students all wanting to see a Physics presence at Reading"
"Reading should be re-affirming their commitment to Science; with an increase in student numbers overall this year, the message should be clear, Reading is open for Science and that should include one of the fundamental science’s on which many others are based - Physics"
Strategy and Finance Committee, compromising of lay members of University Council and University Senior Management will meet early next week to make the final recommendations before they come to University Council, the University’s Governing Body, on November 20th.
The next few weeks will see an intensification of campaigning, with support coming from local MPs, media, national organisations, the Higher Education community and society, as everyone recognises the importance of a Physics department at Reading.
Academics and students around campus have been asking the Vice-Chancellor “Oh Dr Beecham, what have you done?”
ENDS
----
I remember watching Oh Dr Beecham on the TV with my nan..... the moral of the story clear in my mind.....maybe with the help of some film students we could start work on a new version...
"Oh Vice Chancellor what have you done".....
Ryan
The unions response is below.
Friday 12th OctoberUniversity Management forcing through Physics closure
Following a tense and thorough examination of the University’s Senior Management’s recommendation to close the Physics department, University Senate, the Academic Governing body, voted in favour of the plans.
It what can only be seen as a blow to its reputation in the world of science, Reading University’s plans to close down Physics are only weeks away from final ascent.
Senior Management were quick to rubbish their own report from six months ago which promised to solve the future of Physics. Despite conceding that they had solved short term budget problems, Senior Management were persistent in trying to condemn Physics to the long list of departments they have axed over the years.
The Students’ Union were quick to identify the lack of any joined up thinking within the sector, due to Bill Rammell MP, Minister of State for Higher Education and Life Long Learning announcing his commitment on Tuesday to science at Higher Education with £18million worth of initiatives to create more demand from school pupils. The University were accused of hypocrisy and short-sightedness during Senate by Faculty Representatives.
It also emerged that the University of Reading had sought support from HEFCE before consulting staff, students and campus Unions. This blasé attitude to dealing with the issues left many wondering about the University’s commitment to the campus community.
Dave Lewis, RUSU President
"It was a shame that the VC had to blackmail academics to accept his plans, promising to cut posts and cut funding if they didn’t back him."
"Academics were overwhelming in their support for a Physics presence at Reading, and acknowledged that with the closure of Physics goes any credibility that Reading had towards physical sciences"
"We remain as committed as ever to a University that promotes diversity over narrowness and students over surplus"
Ryan Bird Vice-President Education
"The last few weeks have been incredible; students in Reading organising themselves to campaign against these plans. We have listened loud and clear to the views, opinions and values of both prospective and current students all wanting to see a Physics presence at Reading"
"Reading should be re-affirming their commitment to Science; with an increase in student numbers overall this year, the message should be clear, Reading is open for Science and that should include one of the fundamental science’s on which many others are based - Physics"
Strategy and Finance Committee, compromising of lay members of University Council and University Senior Management will meet early next week to make the final recommendations before they come to University Council, the University’s Governing Body, on November 20th.
The next few weeks will see an intensification of campaigning, with support coming from local MPs, media, national organisations, the Higher Education community and society, as everyone recognises the importance of a Physics department at Reading.
Academics and students around campus have been asking the Vice-Chancellor “Oh Dr Beecham, what have you done?”
ENDS
----
I remember watching Oh Dr Beecham on the TV with my nan..... the moral of the story clear in my mind.....maybe with the help of some film students we could start work on a new version...
"Oh Vice Chancellor what have you done".....
Ryan
Sunday, October 08, 2006
Physics Forum
Monday - 1pm Ditchburn Lecture Theatre, Physics
Your chance to hear the thoughts and views of Dave Lewis - RUSU President, Simon Stacey - Physics Society President, Prof John Blackman - Head of Physics, and also a member of Senior Management.
Followed by questions and a vote.
Ryan
Your chance to hear the thoughts and views of Dave Lewis - RUSU President, Simon Stacey - Physics Society President, Prof John Blackman - Head of Physics, and also a member of Senior Management.
Followed by questions and a vote.
Ryan
Freshers Farye
Wed, Thurs & Fri was Fresher's Farye, despite the wet weather all was a success.
hmmm....Why is it that no matter the colour of bubble bath you use the bubbles are always white....?
I spent most of my time on the RUSU stall & the Training/Volunteering/MASIV/Course Reps stall. I really enjoyed the three days, after a crazy start to the week i remember why i do this job and how great it is!
The RUSU stall had three main points
> for students to meet the sabbatical officers and find out more about us
> highlight the terms campaigning activities
> highlight the terms campaigning activities
> raise awareness of the National Demo....
I think we achieved the above, but certainly the raising awareness of the National Demo. I am yet to count up how many people signed the petition but i am sure its well over 1000 - which is great! We also got over 300 photos for our photo petition - which will be about shortly, so keep your eyes peeled in the Union.
Visit www.rusu.co.uk/demo for more information
After a week in which i have spent more time in the Union than out of it, i used my day off very constructively..... stayed in bed till lunchtime, watched tv, popped to town and had a takeaway!
Highlights of my week - International Salsa evening, Freshers Farye, Scott Mills, Zane Lowe, GinaG, Wednesday & Saturday night and seeing the physics students taking an active lead in saving their department -passionate about their subject, angry with senior management and ready to be heard.
Low of the week - falling over in the mud after a crazy Wednesday night......
Ryan
hmmm....Why is it that no matter the colour of bubble bath you use the bubbles are always white....?
Monday, October 02, 2006
Freshers week is here!!
Despite the physics news, Freshers week has got off to a flying start! Campus was busy, things were bussling in the union and its just brilliant!
The Queue for Scott Mills was from the Union to Palmer Building, the longest i have ever seen them! Spent most of the day out and about, chatting to people, managing queues and pointing the many many who were lost in the right direction.
The Queue for Scott Mills was from the Union to Palmer Building, the longest i have ever seen them! Spent most of the day out and about, chatting to people, managing queues and pointing the many many who were lost in the right direction.
'The box office queue before it even opened'
Always makes me laugh, your first day at Uni is spent in queues, from tickets to access cards, and your last day at uni is spent in a queue outside the Great Hall waiting from Graduation!
Right off to eat some dinner, then back to the union, for my first time on the RUSU bars!
Wish me luck!
Ryan
Sunday, October 01, 2006
University plans to dump Physics
What a weekend!
By 3pm Friday i had cleared my inbox, intray and desk and was ready for International weekend and Freshers week, everything seemed to be going to plan.
4pm - Dave reads on the education guardian website that Reading University plans to close physics! The communication about this has been appalling, with many people in the University finding out the way we did.
On the first day of International weekend, the eve of the biggest open day of the year, and days before thousands of new students arrive, what was already set to be a hectic few weeks has just become even more hectic.
Our first press release can be found here.
Lots of emails from concerned students have started flooding in, these emails are not just Physics students, the whole student community is disappointed and concerned about these plans.
The Student Union opposes these plans, and more will follow shortly.
Saturday was Open Day, when 8000+ prospective students visited Reading, including many to look at Physics, people who we spoke to were angry and outraged at this sudden announcement.
Whilst i sit here in my office on a Sunday afternoon replying to concerned students, angry students and student who are ready to come together as a strong and active voice, it still baffles me how a University like Reading, can just dump a subject so key to the understanding of the world around us.
ryan
By 3pm Friday i had cleared my inbox, intray and desk and was ready for International weekend and Freshers week, everything seemed to be going to plan.
4pm - Dave reads on the education guardian website that Reading University plans to close physics! The communication about this has been appalling, with many people in the University finding out the way we did.
On the first day of International weekend, the eve of the biggest open day of the year, and days before thousands of new students arrive, what was already set to be a hectic few weeks has just become even more hectic.
Our first press release can be found here.
Lots of emails from concerned students have started flooding in, these emails are not just Physics students, the whole student community is disappointed and concerned about these plans.
The Student Union opposes these plans, and more will follow shortly.
Saturday was Open Day, when 8000+ prospective students visited Reading, including many to look at Physics, people who we spoke to were angry and outraged at this sudden announcement.
Whilst i sit here in my office on a Sunday afternoon replying to concerned students, angry students and student who are ready to come together as a strong and active voice, it still baffles me how a University like Reading, can just dump a subject so key to the understanding of the world around us.
ryan
Friday, September 15, 2006
Plagiarism...
One of the things i am keen on this year is highlighting issues before its too late, such as plagiarism, with the ever developing software to check essays for possible cheating it is vital to make sure people dont get caught out. In a recent article Wes Streeting NUS Vice President Education stated that
The article also suggests that cases are often dealt with informally in departments and students are encouraged not to appeal, this is crazy, every student has the right to appeal, and should do if accused of such a thing. An essay that is marked down or not graded can be the difference between a degree classification. At Reading this hasnt been an issue, and it should stay that way....
The problem appears to be that students are not being told what plagiarism is, or how to avoid it, it is written the course handbook you recieve when you arrive and thats about it!
During week 7 of the Autumn term and again the Spring term, the union will be raising awareness of this issue and assisting students in avoiding such problems.... interactive workshops, handouts, and useful diagrams will coming your way.
If you have any academic issues that you need support with, please dont hesitate to contact me or pop along to membership services at RUSU.
Anyway week 7 is a long way off yet, first Freshers week, South East Weighting Campaign, Admission Impossible Campaign, The National Demo, Money Week.....
more to follow
Ryan
r.j.e.bird@reading.ac.uk
"We are coming across an increasing number of cases where students have been accused of plagiarism when it's not obvious that the accusation is justified,"
The article also suggests that cases are often dealt with informally in departments and students are encouraged not to appeal, this is crazy, every student has the right to appeal, and should do if accused of such a thing. An essay that is marked down or not graded can be the difference between a degree classification. At Reading this hasnt been an issue, and it should stay that way....
The problem appears to be that students are not being told what plagiarism is, or how to avoid it, it is written the course handbook you recieve when you arrive and thats about it!
During week 7 of the Autumn term and again the Spring term, the union will be raising awareness of this issue and assisting students in avoiding such problems.... interactive workshops, handouts, and useful diagrams will coming your way.
If you have any academic issues that you need support with, please dont hesitate to contact me or pop along to membership services at RUSU.
Anyway week 7 is a long way off yet, first Freshers week, South East Weighting Campaign, Admission Impossible Campaign, The National Demo, Money Week.....
more to follow
Ryan
r.j.e.bird@reading.ac.uk
Monday, September 11, 2006
National Demo - 29th October 2006
Today i have been mostly thinking about the national demo.....
Freshers week is fast approaching, and with students arriving faced with the annual bills of £3,000, the fear of debt looms.... there are many arguments around top up fees, but what really stands out in my mind is that less students will come to university, top up fees are clearly creating injustice and inequality in education. How can the government be widening participation, when students from such non-traditional backgrounds will have to look at their bank balance rather than their ability and aspirations.
I worked all through my degree, at times saturday and sundays along with some weeknights, and i know this had an affect on my studies, this was under the old system, i know for a fact under the new system i wouldnt even be here at Reading. So £3,000 this year, and with the debate of lifting this cap on the table, we have to be strong and active in making sure this does not rise.
Alan Johnson (Secretary of State for Education and Skills) remarked that students will 'learn to love top-up fees'.... Learn to love three grand a year, inequailty, injustice and an increasingly polarised and tiered education system....? I think not, RUSU thinks not, NUS thinks not and if you think not then join us on the national demo - 29th October 2006!
Admission Impossible is the NUS Priority Campaign and is outlined below
Freshers week is fast approaching, and with students arriving faced with the annual bills of £3,000, the fear of debt looms.... there are many arguments around top up fees, but what really stands out in my mind is that less students will come to university, top up fees are clearly creating injustice and inequality in education. How can the government be widening participation, when students from such non-traditional backgrounds will have to look at their bank balance rather than their ability and aspirations.
I worked all through my degree, at times saturday and sundays along with some weeknights, and i know this had an affect on my studies, this was under the old system, i know for a fact under the new system i wouldnt even be here at Reading. So £3,000 this year, and with the debate of lifting this cap on the table, we have to be strong and active in making sure this does not rise.
Alan Johnson (Secretary of State for Education and Skills) remarked that students will 'learn to love top-up fees'.... Learn to love three grand a year, inequailty, injustice and an increasingly polarised and tiered education system....? I think not, RUSU thinks not, NUS thinks not and if you think not then join us on the national demo - 29th October 2006!
Admission Impossible is the NUS Priority Campaign and is outlined below
- NO to soaring levels of student debt
- NO to any attempt to lift the cap
- NO to the marketisation of education
- YES to free education and access for all
We are working hard on this campaign at RUSU and more details will follow shortly, students of the past present and future need to stand up and fight for a fair system for tomorrow's students.
Watch this space...
Ryan
Saturday, September 09, 2006
Who said being a sabbatical officer was easy.....?
This evening i sat down after a hectic week of training, and reflected on the last two months. Its been alot busier and harder than i ever thought it would be, with in-house training, Action through Advocacy course in Chester for education and welfare officers, and my most recent course NSLP - National Student Learning Programme through which i was trained to be a trainer! These courses have been 3 or 4 days long and very intense, 'networking' with other student officers in the evening over a beer or two results in late nights followed by very early mornings, but they have all been worth it and i have learnt alot.
Around these courses, i have been been meeting the many many University staff that i need to get to know, along with preperations for this years campaigns, course reps, the MASIV scheme, the years training programme with emily, regional events, plans to improve representation the list goes on.....
Only being in role for a year, means soooooo much to learn in such little time, and with four out of five of my fellow sabbatical officers in there second term i have found myself feeling a little lost and 'new' at times, but there wealth of knowledge and experience provides me with great support and when out and about talking to other unions i realise what a brilliant team we have at RUSU.
The year ahead is an exciting one and i am looking forward to term starting, so as i prepare for the marathon from freshers to christmas i do with much excitment.... the year ahead is going to be a good one.
Ryan
r.j.e.bird@reading.ac.uk
Around these courses, i have been been meeting the many many University staff that i need to get to know, along with preperations for this years campaigns, course reps, the MASIV scheme, the years training programme with emily, regional events, plans to improve representation the list goes on.....
Only being in role for a year, means soooooo much to learn in such little time, and with four out of five of my fellow sabbatical officers in there second term i have found myself feeling a little lost and 'new' at times, but there wealth of knowledge and experience provides me with great support and when out and about talking to other unions i realise what a brilliant team we have at RUSU.
The year ahead is an exciting one and i am looking forward to term starting, so as i prepare for the marathon from freshers to christmas i do with much excitment.... the year ahead is going to be a good one.
Ryan
r.j.e.bird@reading.ac.uk
Day to London... NUS HQ
On Friday 1st September, Dave and I spent the day at NUS HQ in London discussing the NUS response to the Research Assesment Exercise (RAE) consultation. The consultation proposes changes to the way research is funded, this of course will have affects not only on research but teaching and learning. Reading is in the top 20 most research powerful universities in the UK, so it was great for us to be feeding directly in to the National Students Union response.
Discussing education policy doesnt sound the most thrilling way to spend a day in London, but the more you look in to it, and begin to understand it the more interesting it becomes.
We will be following this one and keep you posted.
Ryan
r.j.e.bird@reading.ac.uk
Discussing education policy doesnt sound the most thrilling way to spend a day in London, but the more you look in to it, and begin to understand it the more interesting it becomes.
We will be following this one and keep you posted.
Ryan
r.j.e.bird@reading.ac.uk
Wednesday, August 23, 2006
Student Representation, Libraries, National Student Survey and Clearing......
Since returning from training ive been busy working on student representation within the university. Traditionally this has been excellent in some faculties and poor in others. One of my aims this year is to build on the Course Rep system and develop representation at a faculty level which will be more coherent and productive. We seem to be good at the department level (staff-student liaison committees) and at higher university level committees (attended by RUSU sabbatical officers) but not at the bits inbetween (Faculty level). So by creating a clear set of guidelines for departments, schools and faculties along with recruitment of more reps (you guys!) that are trained we will see a massive improvement in student representation.
***Course Rep Sales Pitch***
Representation is vital in the communication network of the university; it gives students the chance to feed back on a range of issues. In recent years there has been an increased drive for students to have a larger role in the way their institution is run; through the course rep scheme you can be part of this representation – Please come and see me for more details.
******************************
Also this week the results of the National Student Survey have been announced. 87% of Reading students said they were happy with their course, Dave and I discussed the figures this afternoon and an area for improvement appears to be assessment and feedback, we will be talking to the university to see how this could be improved, including working towards anonymous marking, more contact time on your courses and better representation (mentioned above).
Other work this week includes working on the years campaigns - more to follow soon,Ii have also visited Bulmurshe Library on the university satellite campus to look at the issues they are facing and discussing the exciting changes to the ground floor in Whiteknights library this year.
Several times this week I have visited the clearing office , with top up fees coming in, recruitment and marketing is high on the university agenda. The clearing team have been working hard all week and with an allocation of extra student numbers it has certainly been a challenge. It has been great to see more students on campus, so if your thinking of coming to Reading pop into the union and see us!
Anyway im off to cook dinner!
Ryan
r.j.e.bird@reading.ac.uk
Monday, August 14, 2006
The first blog of Bird
Hello,
Six weeks into my role as VP Education and i have finally managed to set up a blog, so I am now part of the 'e-revolution' of communication at RUSU. Working as a student representative during the time of year when there are so few students around has been an odd start, yet i have been extremely busy, with training, meeting union and university staff and planning my work the next year.
A bit of background about me…..
Well, I’m from Burnham-on-sea, Somerset, i joined Reading in 2003 after my gap year which i spent in Sri Lanka, i studied Human and Physical Geography which i absolutely loved, i was an ambassador through which i visited schools in the area to spread the word about Geography and The University of Reading, i also took part in the CSV Learning Together programme. In my second year i was elected as JCR Treasurer for St Georges Hall and then became joint president in my final year.
All these opportunities led to my involvement in the union, and then through attending student council i really started to understand how much the union does for students, and i wanted to be a part of that - and so one grilling at hustings, one cold election week outside campaigning and one set of final exams and here i am!
I will be posting more about my role and plans shortly, so come back soon.
Ryan
Six weeks into my role as VP Education and i have finally managed to set up a blog, so I am now part of the 'e-revolution' of communication at RUSU. Working as a student representative during the time of year when there are so few students around has been an odd start, yet i have been extremely busy, with training, meeting union and university staff and planning my work the next year.
A bit of background about me…..
Well, I’m from Burnham-on-sea, Somerset, i joined Reading in 2003 after my gap year which i spent in Sri Lanka, i studied Human and Physical Geography which i absolutely loved, i was an ambassador through which i visited schools in the area to spread the word about Geography and The University of Reading, i also took part in the CSV Learning Together programme. In my second year i was elected as JCR Treasurer for St Georges Hall and then became joint president in my final year.
All these opportunities led to my involvement in the union, and then through attending student council i really started to understand how much the union does for students, and i wanted to be a part of that - and so one grilling at hustings, one cold election week outside campaigning and one set of final exams and here i am!
I will be posting more about my role and plans shortly, so come back soon.
Ryan
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