VC's voice

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In my last Bulletin column (20 October), I wrote about the proposed undergraduate medical school. Good progress is being made with this proposal, and I am pleased to report that Senate and Council have given their approval with great enthusiasm. The formal proposal will go forward at the end of this month.

A second area of possible academic development is at a much earlier stage of consideration, but potentially is of just as much importance as the proposed medical school. We currently have a number of promising activities in the area of management studies, and it is time to discuss whether what further developments we might like to see. We have to bear in mind that business and management studies is an area of large and growing student demand, including from overseas students. Equally we have to bear in mind that there already exist a large number of business and management schools, so any developments at Sussex have to be distinctive if they are to be successful.

The management studies programme in the science Schools is growing at a healthy rate, and SPRU's responsibility for that programme is an excellent example of building on strength. SPRU's reputation as the world leader in the study of technology policy and the management of innovation gives a distinctive and attractive focus to that programme.

There are interesting and successful programmes in management studies in CCE, in Social Work, and in USIE, offering students opportunities for specialised study in areas such as the management of the professions and arts management. There is exciting potential for new initiatives in the area of continuing professional development. Mary Stuart is leading a team that is considering ways in which we might develop these and related activities, and would be very happy to receive ideas and proposals.

I have this week had a letter of complaint about faculty misuse of University stationery. A motorist who was involved in an accident complained that a witness statement had been provided to another party on University stationery, and that this was improper. In fact, the witness had good reason to use University stationery, as her role in the University was relevant to her credibility as a witness, and I have responded to the complainant to say so. I also said that the University encourages its staff to report anti-social and dangerous driving behaviour.