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Week
ending Friday 28 January 2005 |
Staff BriefingA joint initiative by MIS, Corporate Communications and Inprint & Design |
Edition
198 
Next editions and entries to the briefing
- Monday 31 January 2005
- Monday 7 February 2005
Please keep entries concise with, if necessary, a link to further details on the web. Please check entries for accuracy and timeliness before sending.
Deadline for entries is (generally) 12 noon each Friday.
Email: briefing@bradford.ac.uk
Coming Soon . . .
The Staff Briefing 200th Birthday Giveaway
Fancy winning an iPod Mini? Or how about Virgin or Waterstone's gift vouchers?
Tune in to the Staff Briefing on Monday 7 February for the full details. . .
Learning Support Seminar from TQEG
"How e-Portfolios Document, Enhance and Assess Learning"
Presented by Sharon Hamilton
of the Centre on Integrating Learning, Indianapolis Time: 1300 - 1400
Date: 1 February 2005
Venue: Room 1.7, JBP Library Building
While lecturers have considerable expertise in assessing the learning of their students in their own classrooms, they have not done as good a job at assessing learning at the departmental, programme, or institution level. Moreover, while classroom assessment focuses on course content, we have less access to evaluating students' ways of knowing - such as critical thinking, understanding diverse societies and cultures, integrating and applying knowledge - that transcend specific courses. Using the Indiana University Student Electronic Portfolio (ePort) as a primary example, this session will show how electronic portfolios may not only document and assess learning, but also enhance student learning.
To reserve a place please use the online booking at: http://staffdev.bradfordcollege.ac.uk/cgi-bin/staffdev/enduser_courselist.pl
If you have any difficulties booking please call ext: 5138 or email tqe-sec@bradford.ac.uk.
Top Up Fees, Access Agreement and Admissions 2006: Briefing Sessions for
staff
Please read the full details at: http://www.brad.ac.uk/news/private/info-session.htm (UoB username and password required)
National Student Survey
This February the University of Bradford is taking part in the first ever National Student Survey that is being launched across most of the UK. It is a chance for final year undergraduate students to give feedback on various aspects of their course and university.
Certain institutions with a good record in subject review are subject to a "lighter touch" from the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education. We are now required - along with all other HEIs in England, Wales and Northern Ireland - to publish certain information, and to comment on information published on our behalf by HEFCE, the Higher Education Funding Council for England, based on our statistical returns to them.
This Teaching Quality Information is available at http://www.tqi.ac.uk/home/index.cfm (external site will open in a new window) which is part of the HERO website at http://www.hero.ac.uk/ (external site will open in a new window)
Part of this information will be derived from the National Student Survey, which is due to go live at the University on Monday 7th February. This semester, all final year undergraduate students - not just at Bradford, but across most of the UK - will be asked to provide feedback on a range of topics, including: quality of teaching; assessment and feedback; academic support; organisation and management; learning resources; and personal development. The questionnaire will be standard across all institutions. Results will be presented to help future students when choosing what courses to study and what institutions to attend.
Final year students should shortly receive an email from Ipsos UK (the company commissioned to undertake the survey) inviting them to complete the survey online. The survey is simple to complete and should take no more than five minutes of their time. The website www.thestudentsurvey.com (external site will open in a new window) also provides responses to Frequently Asked Questions on the survey, and includes a download section with briefing documents circulated to higher educations institutions and student unions.
We should stress that this national questionnaire does not replace our own stage evaluation questionnaire, which asks much more detailed questions and which we use to monitor and improve the provision in the learning environment for our students. We hope that students will complete both questionnaires, as they will be used for very different purposes.
Can all teaching staff please encourage their students to fill in the questionnaire.
Music and Gallery events this week
Exploration of Watercolour By Deborah Lawson
Friday 14 January - Friday
25 February 2005
Mon - Fri 11am - 5pm. Late night opening Thursdays until 6pm Free
The works in this exhibition are inspired by forms created by nature, constructed by people or purely by the properties of watercolour on paper. Deborah studied fine art printmaking and textiles, illustration and painting at Bradford College, gaining a BA (Hons) in Art and Design in 1994. Subsequently she has held several solo exhibitions and sold work in commercial galleries. She has been commissioned to paint 'work in progress' of the building of the Gateshead Millennium Bridge and for British Waterways.
Music Performance - Scandinavia
Wednesday 26 January 12.30pm
Gallery II Free
Aileen Gilhooly mezzo soprano
Returning from Sweden where she has performed with Gothenburg and Stockholm Opera on the operatic stage and concert platform, Aileen Gilhooly contributes to a sparkling vocal programme in conjunction with wall based paintings by Deborah Lawson. She offers an imaginative blend of opera and lieder by composers as diverse as Mozart, Sibelius, and Massenet and a rare opportunity to hear some surprising vocal gems from Scandinavia.
This Week at Theatre in the Mill
Saturday 29 January at 7.30pm, FREE
Adam Strickson
An Indian Rug Surprised by Snow
Book launch, poetry in performance including live south Asian and English music.
Theatre in the Mill is proud to host the launch of Adam Strickson's new book. Adam is an increasingly well-known writer and powerful interpreter of his own work. 'An Indian Rug Surprised by Snow' focuses on his remarkable and life-changing encounters in the North west, Yorkshire and Bangladesh. It is a funny and joyful book which will be vibrantly brought to life by Adam and accompanying musicians. This evening is produced in association with the Theatre in the Mill.
Tickets are free - reserve yours by phoning ext: 3200 or email: theatre@bradford.ac.uk
http://www.brad.ac.uk/theatre/rug.php
Part-time courses and modules available to staff
Pop into the Richmond Foyer on Tuesday 25 January between 1pm and 7pm and find out more about SLED courses.
You could start a part-time degree, consider taking a vocational foundation degree or take individual modules for personal or professional development.
Here's just a taste of some modules available in Semester two:
- Introduction to Counselling
- Career Development and Planning
- Re-Writing History: Repackaging the Past in Film and Television
- Stress Management
- Introduction to Film Studies
Applicants' Visit Days and Parking
Applicants' Visit Days start again on Wednesday 26 January, and continue every Wednesday until 2 March, plus Saturdays 29 January and 26 February. However, not all these dates will be very busy.
As there are few departments expecting visitors on 26 January there will be no parking reserved on that date.
On Wed 2 February the lower car park (behind the IPI building, accessed from Longside Lane) will be reserved for visitors from 9.00 to 13.00.
For information on dates beyond this please check with Staff Briefing nearer the time, or contact Lis Lewis (ext. 3220, email e.a.lewis@bradford.ac.uk)
Buddhist meditation
Buddhist meditation will start again from 26th January, 12.30 - 1.15 Room T1.1 in the Ashfield Building.
It's free, it's relaxing and it's good for your stress levels. All staff and students welcome.
No need to book, or commit to coming each week, just drop in Wednesday lunchtimes and relax.
West Yorkshire Pension Fund changes April 2004
One of the changes that took place to the above pension scheme in April 2004 gave members who have kept a period of Local Government Pension Membership separate from their current benefits until 31st March 2005 to make a final decision on whether to combine them with their current membership or keep them separate.
The WYPF administrators have written to all the members who they know have a separate deferred benefit, if however you have not been contacted for whatever reason please contact the pension's office and I will send you the relevant information.
Malcolm Stockell, ext 3144.
Strategies and Tips for Making Successful Bids to Research Funding
Bodies
Presented by Professor Phil Coates, PVC Research, Innovation and Knowledge Transfer in association with the Research Support Unit
Tuesday March 8th 2005, 2.00 - 3.00 pm Room B026, Chesham Building
Open to: All academic & research staff involved in applying to external organisations for research funding.
This event is hosted by the School of Engineering, Design and Technology.
Further details and to book: ext: 3174, email: research.office@bradford.ac.uk
Notification of Works in University Buildings
Richmond Building - Removal of Asbestos Ceilings
Details of Work: Enabling works for fire alarm upgrade.
The asbestos ceilings on secondary staircase landings are to be removed at weekends as per the programme below
| Weekend | Wing | Floors |
| 29, 30 Jan | Richmond | L & K |
| 5, 6 Feb | Richmond | J, G, F |
| 12, 13 Feb | Carlton | L & H |
| 19, 20 Feb | Carlton | G, E, F |
Areas concerned will be out of bounds during the works in each area. All relevant regulations associated with the works will be observed. Note that secondary lifts should not be used to access the named floors on these dates.
West End Building
Details of Work: Alterations to 2nd Floor.
It is anticipated that the works will commence on Monday 24th January 2005 and will be completed in 4 weeks after that date.
We apologise for any in convenience caused during these improvement works. Should you have any queries regarding the work, please direct them to Mr Alan Harrison, Building Maintenance Officer on ext 3423.
The Importance of Artefacts
- talk
Wednesday 16th March at 7pm
Bradford Central Library in Meeting Room 1
Princes Way, Bradford, BD1
The internationally renowned Robin Coningham, Professor of South Asian Archaeology at Bradford University will talk about the importance of artefacts in relation to culture and the efforts being made to recover and retain artefacts in museums when a country is at war.
He has acted as a UNESCO consultant for 5 years in Nepal at sites associated with Buddha's birth.
Free but please book a place on 01274 431216 with the Education Team at Cartwright Hall.
Special Group Offer from Bradford Theatres
Sing-a-long-a Elvis St George's Hall, Bradford : Friday 25 February, 7.30pm
Groups of 8 or more: £14.50
each
Normal ticket price £16
The event all Elvis fans have been waiting for . . . the greatest rock 'n' roll songs ever with on-screen lyrics so everyone can join in!
The latest smash-hit show from the producers of Sing-a-long-a Abba celebrates the songs of the one and only King of Rock 'n' Roll. Loved by young and old alike, the Elvis legend rolls on down the decades and now Sing-A-Long-A Elvis allows you to rock the night away in inimitable sing-a-long-a style as never before. Shake those hips, curl that lip, and go wild in true Elvis fashion! Join our live hosts and fabulous Elvis band at St George's Hall, Bradford for dozens of the greatest rock 'n' roll songs ever written.
Call 01274 432000 and quote 'Elvis Group Offer'
This offer is subject to availability and cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer. It does not apply to tickets already booked. Conditions apply.
Places available on the following Staff Development Unit events:
Disability
Issues - Friday 28 January 2005, 09.00-16.30
Target Audience: Essential for staff recruiting for the University, but
also open other members of staff. Raises awareness of the employment issues
for staff who recruit on behalf of the University, but also for staff
who wish to understand the implications of Disability issues on their
work.
Financial
Transactions - Wednesday 2 February 2005, 09.00-12.00
Target Audience: Support staff who deal with financial transactions within
Planning Units and admin departments on a regular basis. Prerequisites:
University Staff Only Provides information that will help staff to understand
the University's financial processing system.
New Staff Induction - Monday 7 February 2005, 11.45-15.00 Target Audience: Staff who are new to the University of Bradford. Provides information on various central services and a brief overview of the structure of the University and who to speak to get more information on specific areas of interest to you. Also to allow an opportunity to meet some service providers. and other new members of staff.
Dealing with Conflict in the Workplace (1) - Friday 11 February 2005, 09.15 - 16.45 Target Audience: Staff at any level who would find these skills useful. Particularly relevant for managers. Participants will develop awareness of their own personal responses to conflict, learn how workplace practices can generate conflict, and develop skills in managing such conflicts.
Learning Support Seminars and Events from TQEG
Assuring the Quality and Standards of the Off-Site Provision on 24 January. Seminar cancelled. The rescheduled date will be advertised as soon as it is known.
Supporting Reflective Learning on 26 January at 1300-1400 in Room 01.58, JBP Library Building - Presented by Prof Peter Hartley of the Teaching Quality Enhancement Group
How ePortfolios Document, Enhance and Assess Learning on 1 February 1300-1400 in Room 1.7, JBP Library Building - Presented by Sharon Hamilton of the Office for Integrating Learning at Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis and Carol Higgison of the Teaching Quality Enhancement Group
Bradford University Academy on 16 February at 1300-1400 in Room 01.58, JBP Library Building - Presented by Sally Raby of Marketing and Corporate Communications
Details of the above events and online booking can be found via: http://staffdev.bradfordcollege.ac.uk/cgi-bin/staffdev/enduser_courselist.pl
Please contact Christine Rayment or Beverley Lyons on 5138 or email tqe-sec@bradford.ac.uk if you have further enquiries.
Job Vacancies at the University and College
Current vacancies at the University and College can be found at the Personnel website:
http://www.brad.ac.uk/admin/personnel/jobvacancies/
The weekly bulletin can also be found as a pdf from the same page.
All queries should be directed to Personnel: ext: 5347, email: personnel@bradford.ac.uk
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