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Bulletin the University of Sussex newsletter
VC's Voice
Those who thrilled to the exciting prose of the Quality Assurance Agency's Agenda for Quality earlier this year will be gripped by its sequel, Quality Assurance: a new approach. The rest of us will be depressed by the rising tide of bureaucratic language and intrusive regulation. It is a paradox that successive governments committed to deregulation and competition in industry and commerce have encouraged over-regulation and central planning in higher education. The emphasis should be on allowing universities to manage their own affairs and encouraging students, and prospective students, to be the judges of quality. The QAA pays lip-service to these principles, but is still far away from them in practice. Readers of the Argus will know that Brighton and Hove Albion have plans for a new stadium in Village Way North, Falmer, on the other side of the A27 from us. These plans would have a big impact on the University. If proper traffic arrangements are made, they could actually help solve our two traffic problems - car parking and peak-hour exit. There could also be improvements to the sporting facilities on our campus. However, the disadvantages of being close to a football stadium are too obvious to need spelling out. In the longer run, a stadium in Falmer, and the subsequent development that might follow, could change the whole character of the area in fundamental ways. So far we have made absolutely no commitments for or against the proposal, but we shall keep a very close eye on the issue, and keep in touch with Brighton and Hove Council, our local councillors and local MPs. As many of you know, I have chosen not to move into Swanborough Manor. As a University we need to make the best possible use of this beautiful building. The fact that I already live close to the University gives the opportunity for a careful review of the options. For the next eighteen months, I will be using Swanborough Manor for the entertainment of University guests and the hosting of University functions. Other members of the University can also use it in the same way. If you have an away-day meeting, a day-long seminar or a group of visitors who you would like to entertain in pleasant surroundings, contact the Buildings and Services Division through your Dean about booking Swanborough. Use it or lose it!
Friday 13th November 1998
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Biology emerged from its Teaching Quality Assessment with an excellent score of 22 out of 24 points. This is a good result for all of us, not just the biologists, because our performance in these exercises contributes to the overall perception of the University. I am particularly grateful for the hard work of three people who carried the heaviest load of responsibility for managing the Biology TQA: Liz Somerville, the Biols sub-Dean, Sam Riordan, Biols administrator, and Tim Roper, the subject group chair. Perhaps the most pleasing single aspect of the outcome was the commendation of the assessors for the way that good teaching in Biology was based on and linked to excellent research. The future of the University as an institution that is attractive to good students and good faculty depends on the synergy between teaching and research.
