The University of Stirling is part of the first tranche of universities to adopt the Scholarly Copyright Licence. This licence will allow researchers to use and distribute his or her publications even when these works remain under publishers’ embargo. The UCU Executive has been briefed on the details of this scheme and has no objection
[continue reading…]
Governance Act We have received an update from the higher education minister, Shirley-Anne Somerville, on the timescales for implementing the governance act and outlining when different aspects of the act will come into force. The letter received is attached. In line with what we’d previously been informed the provisions of the act were commenced at
[continue reading…]
Dear colleague, This is your final chance to sign up for the Cradle to Grave conference on 11 February between 10:00am and 3:00pm in central London. Tickets are free to members but the deadline for applications is tomorrow, 16 December. You can apply for your ticket here. Following the vote to leave the European Union
[continue reading…]
Glasgow Campaign for Refugees Please see the link below for a festive crowdfund appeal to buy toys and gifts for refugee children: https://www.youcaring.com/glasgowcampaigntowelcomerefugees-691858
MMU’s board of governors has said the university’s site in Crewe is not financially sustainable and staff and students now fear management plan to close the campus. Please sign our petition calling on the university to work with unions to secure a sustainable future for the site.
If you require assistance with a matter concerning your ability to continue to live and work in the UK please contact legalservices@ucu.org.uk or see our guide for EEA and non-EEA nationals here.
UCU continues to keep the heat on universities with our ‘stamp out casual contracts’ campaign. Following an excellent day of action against precarious employment UCU general secretary Sally Hunt has spoken out in the Times Higher Education (THE) on HE institutions’ inadequate response to published data showing an exploitative employment model.
Members at the University of Aberdeen took strike action on Wednesday, 7th December in response to the University’s plans to cut jobs and downgrade staff within the School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition. If you would like to send messages of support and solidarity, please send these to the Aberdeen branch – ucu@abdn.ac.uk
The government’s controversial proposals for higher education went to the House of Lords recently and you can read our briefing outlining the union’s concerns on privatisation and deregulation here. Many peers have a relationship with universities and you can help scrap the HE Bill by writing to them and linking to our briefing. Dear colleague
[continue reading…]
If you have read about the new leave arrangements on the University website, http://www.stir.ac.uk/hr-od/workingatstirling/annualleave/ and felt unsure how to interpret the rather complex information, the following is the response from our UCU Stirling Branch Secretary, Joe Smith: “The answer as far as I can understand is that full time permanent staff will experience no change
[continue reading…]