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issue 13 30 October 2006 ***************************************************** 'Truth: lies open to all' ***************************************************** Every fortnight All editorial correspondence to: subtext-editors [at] lancaster.ac.uk. Please download and print or delete as soon as possible after receipt. Back issues and subscription details can be found at http://www.lancs.ac.uk/subtext. The editors welcome letters, comments, suggestions, and opinions from readers. subtext reserves the right to edit submissions. CONTENTS: editorial, student activism as a marketing tool, plummeting into spin, government proposal to spy on students, Senate Report, farewell speech, careers and university administration, closure of Lonsdale SCR, job moves, Wallups' world, competition winner, letters **************************************************** 1. EDITORIAL Sometimes it is all too easy to be cynical. Indeed, administrators and managers often present subtext with material inadvertently, almost as if they are trying to do us a favour. One example is the competition on management-speak from last week, which is reprised in one of our letters in this issue. subtext asks its readers to think about the assumptions that underlie the managerial decisions that are made on our behalf, and where those decisions may take us in the future. We believe that such discussion, dissent and critical comment are badly needed. Judging by the letters we've received as well as other informal feedback, it is clear that many of our readers think this is needed too. But cynicism and negativity can become corrosive unless there are affirmative beliefs that underlie them. For subtext, these beliefs are constituted by the commitment to the general values that should lie at the heart of any intellectual community. But at another level, we are also committed to the distinctive values that lie at the heart of this particular institution, namely, the egalitarianism, democracy and collegiality that were so important at the University's foundation and that made Lancaster a pioneer. It is precisely because of our affirmation of the University that we criticise that which takes us further away from those positive ideals. In this issue, we continue our efforts by providing more news and analysis about the University. Among other items, we provide the latest Senate Report and Marion McClintock's farewell speech. We also reflect on the University's use of the web for marketing student activism, and introduce a new 'spinometer' that we might trademark soon. **************************************************** 2. STUDENT ACTIVISM AS A MARKETING TOOL The newly redesigned university web site has a link to 'student activism' (http://www.lancs.ac.uk/unihistory/life/studentactivism.htm). We decided to check it out to see what we might learn about Lancaster's history. As stated on the website: 'During the late 1960s and early 1970s, Lancaster had a reputation as one of the most radical universities in the country'. This is followed by a summary of protests in Lancaster in the 1960s and 1970s, at one point comparing students' actions during the time with those of students at the University of California at 'Berkley' (sic). There are references to the David Craig controversy, Vietnam War protests, opposition to Rhodesian independence, and activism surrounding 'issues as wide-ranging as local bus fares and freedom of speech'. The University's summary of student activism is accompanied by a blurry photograph of students, captioned 'Lancaster Protesters at Barrow'. The web page's omissions may be just as informative as its content. The web page is intended to reflect on Lancaster's history, and it is commendable that the University has taken the time to summarise historical events and controversies. But despite the title of 'Student Activism', there is no reference to any student activism today. Indeed, the last 30+ years are absent from Lancaster's self-reported history of student activism. This leads us to ask the question: how long ago does a controversial event at Lancaster need to have happened before it can become part of promotional documents for the University? One year? Five years? Thirty? The question itself might seem tongue-in-cheek on first reading, but what is taboo in public relations today (e.g., a student protest that led to criminal charges) might not be tomorrow. If students faced a fine for their actions, or even jail time several decades ago, there appears to be enough historical distance to render the events uncontroversial to the present. The political and social landscape can change so that what was once off-limits can now become marketable indications of Lancaster's distinctive and interesting history. Conceivably, a future marketing brochure could point to student activism in the 2000s (or whatever this decade is to be called), and the image of a gagged George Fox Six could replace the photograph of 'Lancaster Protesters at Barrow'. Based on the depiction of activism on the University web page, the underlying message for consumers appears to be that Lancaster has a colourful past, and that student protest is distant enough not to be threatening today. It is this emphasis on the non-threatening – with carefully inoffensive presentation and strategic selectivity in discussion – that adds to a sense of artificiality in the University's presentation of itself. **************************************************** 3. PLUMMETING INTO SPIN The Guardian reported on 19 October that this year the number of university entrants is down by 15,000 (http://tinyurl.com/yyjuxt). Critics argue that this is a direct result of tuition fees, a point denied by government. Indeed, ministers argued that a decline of 15,000 represents a 'strong performance' - a fine choice of phrase for any management-speak competition. According to Bill Rammell, the Minister for Higher Education, the figures show that critics of tuition fees were wrong because 'we have not seen the plummeting numbers we were warned about'. Commenting on HEFCE statistics indicating that there had been a small fall in applications from those from poorer backgrounds and those from state schools, Rammell said that the tuition fees did not have a disproportionate impact. Although it would appear that poorer students have been put off by the tuition increase, he said, 'In fact, there is a slight increase in the proportion of students entering university from these backgrounds'. Heads of Department and others subject to interrogation in case they are castigated for a fall in student numbers, research income, or other 'performance indicators' are advised to note the above. Instead of apologising and looking forlorn, state firmly that your fall in numbers or income represents a strong performance as, indeed, does anything short of a 'plummet'. Indeed, perhaps Bill Rammell and his advisors could help us all by coming up with a set of performance indicators that would equate degrees of fall to levels of performance (a spinometer perhaps?). Our feeble attempt is given below, with the event followed by the spinometer reading: Enormous growth: 'the greatest success story in the history of the universe with robust indices' Small growth: 'beyond our wildest dreams with marginally positive numerical implications' Same as before: 'exceptional performance with stable indices' Slight fall: 'strong performance with negative indices' Fall: 'good performance with adverse results' Collapse: 'sound performance with numerically negative indices' Catastrophic total meltdown: 'disappointing performance with disadvantageous
numerical implications' **************************************************** 4. GOVERNMENT PROPOSAL TO SPY ON STUDENTS A recent article in the Guardian raised disturbing news that university lecturers might be asked to spy on their students (http://tinyurl.com/yfepav). As stated in the Guardian article, 'According to the proposals drawn up by the Department for Education and Skills, ministers are to ask staff to spy on 'Asian looking' or Muslim students, informing special branch of anyone they suspect of being involved in Islamic extremism'. The proposal was recently denounced by the local UCU (http://www.lancs.ac.uk/users/ucu/). According to the UCU's statement, 'Any such proposals are likely to have an alienating effect and create barriers to the free and open debate that form the basis of the university'. We are also deeply concerned about the implications of the proposal for universities in the UK. subtext hopes that the University takes a public stand against a totally insensitive proposal. **************************************************** 5. SENATE REPORT Senate met for its first meeting of the academic year on Wednesday 11th October. Attendance was somewhat thin, in spite of only two apologies having been received. As usual, the agenda of the first meeting of the year was slightly briefer than normal, and business was completed by about 4pm. Among the information items, there were a couple of particularly significant reports. One was on the development of a partnership between the University and Study Group International (SGI) to establish a 'Lancaster University International Study Centre', which will deliver foundation programmes. It was explained that these are designed primarily for international students seeking entry to undergraduate degree programmes. The whole scheme - including the provision of teaching - will be the responsibility of SGI, a private provider. The University will provide campus-based office and study space, for which they will pay a commercial rent to the University. The intake is projected to be around 50 in 2007, rising to around 150 in 2009. The numbers are relatively small, but these students will be in a somewhat anomalous position. Not having matriculated, they will not technically be members of the University, and yet they will be living in campus accommodation and the University aims 'to integrate the SGI students as fully as possible by making our own facilities widely available', but the provision of teaching, learning and pastoral support lies with SGI'. They will not, therefore, be allocated college tutors, for instance, and it was not entirely clear what their relationship to the University disciplinary structures will be. Alison Findlay asked about the provision of office and work space, particularly in light of the current shortage of such space on campus. The Deputy VC assured Senate that the provision of such space would not entail 'theft' of currently occupied space, but was unable to give further details as to how this extra space would be secured. There was also a report on the future arrangements of CEEC (the Centre for Employability, Enterprise and Careers). It appears that ultimate responsibility for careers in the University is to be transferred from the Librarian to the Director of Research and Enterprise Services. This change has apparently been made as a response to Lancaster's poor showing for graduate employment in numerous league tables. Quite how this administrative change will impact upon our employment statistics was not made entirely clear. In her statement, the Librarian paid generous tribute to the many who had worked with her on the careers front in recent years, and also hinted that she had not been kept fully informed of the developments leading to this decision. This raises important questions not only about this decision itself, but also the process by which it was reached. [More on this below - eds.] Senate also agreed to undertake a review of its own effectiveness. This was in response to a request from Council following its own controversial review last year. The University Secretary assured Senate that there was no a priori determination to reduce its size (unlike in the reform of Council last year), but that a Working Party should consider Senate's effectiveness and its contribution to the University's good governance and make a report including any recommendations it sees fit to include. Gavin Hyman expressed concern that the proposed Working Party was to be entirely appointed (by UMAG, Faculty Deans, College Principals and LUSU) and proposed that the Working Party should be elected - in different categories, if necessary - by Senators themselves. There was little support for a fully elected Working Party (although neither was any opposition to one expressed). But it was agreed that there would be one additional member of the Working Party elected by Senate. subtext will watch the emerging membership of the Working Party and its deliberations with interest and will report in future issues. Senate also considered a revised Code on Freedom of Speech. This was the result of the third of the three reports requested by Senate last year in response to the prosecution of the George Fox Six. The revised code attracted little comment, on the whole, although David Archard questioned the paragraph which states that 'The University shall have the right to refuse to provide accommodation on any reasonable ground unconnected with the beliefs and views of the individual or the organisation seeking the booking'. He felt that this gave the University authorities an unduly wide degree of latitude. In reply, the Secretary said that this paragraph was intended to preserve the University's right to refuse accommodation to an external body. Senators seemed to consider this reply sufficient. But it does raise the question of whether the wording of the paragraph ought to have been formulated in such a way as to refer specifically to external bodies. There also appears to be no requirement that the 'reasonable ground' would be stated. subtext hopes that Senators have not approved a code that will only make them a hostage to fortune. Note: Any quotations are taken from the accompanying Senate papers. **************************************************** 6. MARION McCLINTOCK'S FAREWELL SPEECH Following on from our report, in the last issue, of Marion McClintock's farewell party, several readers have expressed an interest in seeing a written version of the farewell speech which Marion delivered at that event. We are pleased to reproduce it below. 'I am grateful to everyone for being here this afternoon to give me support at a key transitional moment. I should like to welcome everyone, and especially the veterans from 1964, of which I am not one. A particular welcome is extended to Michael Forster [first Registrar], whose example I have been seeking to emulate since he left. 'I am also grateful for the magnificent presents that I shall shortly open so that you can see them, especially the candlesticks that I can assure you will be used regularly, and for this splendid party. Angela Pearson and others have been on the case since at least January, and have successfully managed to bring you all together this afternoon. 'Indeed, the theme of today is thanks, but not so much for material goods, and I shall illustrate with a story. My maternal grandfather repeatedly promised me a golden guinea. In fact, he never gave it to me, but he did help to give me a strong sense of self-identity, the gift of keen observation, and an abiding respect for what we now loosely refer to as the environment. And so it was that throughout my years at school, at university, and in my early career, there were people who encouraged, guided and supported me as I climbed up various ladders, or helped me recover when I slithered down a number of snakes. I am grateful to all of them. 'When Peter and I arrived at Bailrigg in 1968, the County College and the Chaplaincy Centre were just being built. After spending time working or studying at Durham, Cambridge, Oxford and Duke University in North Carolina, Lancaster did not at once appear to have many of the attributes of a university. 'I belong more to the Alan Johnson than the Michael Heseltine school of career development - more serendipity than clearsighted planning. Nevertheless, when we went to the United States, my visa status had been 'accompanying main alien', and my position was not much different at Lancaster on arrival. However, I became departmental officer in English, and was able to join a board of studies and become a college tutor, so that I gradually became assimilated. With the benefit of hindsight, I see how fortunate I had been, for at Cambridge I had worked for someone who was a member of the Academic Planning Board for the forthcoming University of Essex. At Oxford, I had been able to watch Lord Franks interrogating witnesses for his subsequent two-volume magisterial study of the governance of that university, and had read the weekly digests of evidence received. Thirdly, at Duke I had been able to see for myself the results of huge amounts of Federal government funding invested in the southern states, on higher education at disadvantaged institutions, by President Johnson. I came to understand that simply spending money did not of itself achieve results, without careful planning and building on sure foundations. Finally, I was fortunate in the writing of 'Quest for Innovation', to be given an overview of a young institution at such an early stage of my career. 'Since then, much change and development has taken place. Someone recently asked me what I regarded as the most outstanding achievement I could remember, and I had no hesitation in naming the moment when we heard that Lancaster had been placed, unambiguously and without qualification, in the top ten universities as the result of the 1992 research assessment exercise. This meant, of course, that Lancaster at once became the target of much envy, not to mention some malice, as it had become identified as a worthy competitor - but no matter, since for that brief moment we had stood on the pinnacle. But there are many other things to remember; for example, pleasure at the successes of people, some of whom are here today, in whose appointment I had played a part. What greater satisfaction can there be than seeing someone just beginning, and then gaining confidence and expertise as his or her career develops! 'And so my thanks are due to Steve Thomas and Folio for all the printing jobs at such short notice. We have regularly demanded the impossible, and they have never let us down; to Timothy Holmes and the high standards of catering that spoil me for wherever else I go; to Tony Evans and all his portering and security staff, not only for minding the university when the rest of us are in our beds or enjoying Christmas, but also for their willingness to help with every situation that is presented to them; and to the staff of my immediate offices, who work exceptionally hard, week in, month out, for the university. If they sometimes feel there is a little too much 'titanic glooms of chasm'd fears' instead of 'vista'd hopes', I can only apologise. They have tolerated my constant search for perfection - as well as my minimalist approach to paperwork! - and I am deeply grateful to them. 'My final thank you is more complex. The Vice-Chancellor often refers to Lancaster as being a learning institution, and I am an eager perpetual student here. We are deeply fortunate at Lancaster of all being part of an invigorating community of shared purpose and intention, whether in times of triumph or grief - a commonality of direction and values, and I am keenly grateful for having shared in that. I am working with the Library to seek a way in which I can mark my gratitude in some tangible way. 'And so, finally, may I commend the University of Lancaster to you all, and may this excellent institution become renowned internationally as a great one. 'Thank you.' **************************************************** 7. CAREERS AND UNIVERSITY ADMINISTRATION As mentioned above, it was announced at Senate that the Centre for Employability,
Enterprise and Careers (CEEC) is now to be line managed by the Director
for Research and Enterprise Services rather than, as was previously the
case, the University Librarian. Furthermore, the PVC for Colleges and
Student Experience will apparently play some kind of 'mediating' role
in terms of a reporting line to UMAG. From now on, it has been commented,
Careers will be 'about employment', so presumably a further name change
is in the offing. We are told that the response of Senate to this taste
of firm management was somewhat muted, possibly because few were aware
of what had happened, but the change is not only important for CEEC's
future direction as a student service, but also for the insight it offers
into how UMAG now appears to be operating. The latter should give us all
pause for thought. Perhaps of greater significance, though, for members of the University is that what has happened with CEEC seems to epitomise the way 'D floor' now appears to be operating. The question of whether this was a personal decision of the Vice-Chancellor or of UMAG has rightly been asked. Of course, this raises the much wider question of the constitutional role of UMAG in our management structure. Originally envisaged as an 'advisory' group to the VC, it now appears to have taken on a life of its own as an executive decision-making body. This process has occurred without any proper discussion or corresponding constitutional change. This is a much larger issue that will have to be deferred for now. But subtext promises a full and extended discussion of this question in a future (quite possibly the next) issue. **************************************************** 8. CLOSURE OF THE LONSDALE SENIOR COMMON ROOM The Principal of Lonsdale College recently announced the closure of its Senior Common Room as a 'club' facility. In many ways, this represents a sad day for University collegiality, and it would be a shame to allow it to pass without comment. Although each college has long had a Senior Common Room (both a collective body and a physical room), only one of them - Lonsdale - actually operated on a daily basis providing amenities such as newspapers and periodicals and a Steward responsible for serving tea, coffee and light lunches. As a result, the Lonsdale Senior Common Room operated in practice as a University-wide Senior Common Room and, in recognition of this, opened up an Associate Membership to those who were senior members of other colleges. The closure was prompted by a number of factors. For one thing, its historic site in the centre of the old Lonsdale College (now Bowland North) has become a building site, and the Lonsdale SCR moved to occupy the Gordon Inkster Room in County South. Furthermore, the most recent Steward, Shelagh Barron, retired, which prompted a re-consideration of the affordability of the post. Furthermore, it has to be admitted that the Lonsdale SCR had recently suffered a decline, both in membership and in daily use. No doubt, the increasingly frenetic nature of academic life has had a lot to do with this. But the practical result is that the University now has no effective Senior Common Room. Does this matter and should we be trying to do something about it? Keith Davidson, the Lonsdale Principal, has held open the prospect of the Lonsdale SCR's re-opening at some future date. But perhaps a fully University-wide Senior Common Room would be more appropriate, given the practical role that the Lonsdale SCR actually fulfilled? Any reflections on this would be much appreciated. **************************************************** 9. JOB MOVES IN UNIVERSITY HOUSE The retirement of Marion McClintock has had a considerable ripple-effect in terms of other jobs in the University. Lesley Wareing, previously Head of Student Registry, has now taken Marion McClintock's old title as Academic Registrar, although her actual responsibilities will remain pretty much unchanged. In fact, the bulk of her duties seem to coincide largely with those of Academic Registrars elsewhere. Meanwhile, Paul Graves has taken over a considerable proportion of Marion's former duties at the head of a newly established Secretariat (formerly the Office of the Academic Registrar) under the new title of Director of Governance and Planning. His own old job as Undergraduate Admissions Officer has now been occupied by Heather Willes, who was formerly Postgraduate Admissions Officer. We are still awaiting news of a new Postgraduate Admissions Officer. **************************************************** 10. WALLUPS' WORLD MEMO: From Nigel Wallups, Vice-Chancellor, Lune Valley Enterprise University (LUVE-U) TO: Roger K. Smith, Head of Consultancy and Profiteering Services, LUVE-U SUBJECT: Re: Knighthoods Roger, seriously, it was never in my career plan to think about a knighthood. And I hope you don't think I saw this job as little more than a springboard to something more exalted, as if I were treating LUVE-U as just a way to further my own career!? But now you have mentioned it, now you've planted the idea in my head ... Sir Nigel Wallups - it does have a certain ring to it! And just imagine the implications, the new vistas, the horizons that open up - not for me personally, of course, but for LUVE-U as it strides forward to meet the challenges of tomorrow! It could promote the University by helping me get a high profile on HEFCE committees, and membership on the boards of major companies. We could get the THES to run a profile of me (ok, only the academics and other VCs will see this, but it is a start) - and how about something in a magazine that the customers read – would a new knight (in metaphorical shining armour!) appeal to Hello? And how about some local recognition and sights - some billboards with my smiling face, and maybe a mechanical arm pointing up Lune Valley. I don't know the full protocol but can I, as a knight, dress differently, too, at the University degree processions - maybe in full knight's regalia and armour, rather than a gown and floppy hat? Maybe I could sometimes wear the attire not just in degree processions but on ordinary work days, too. Then I would surely command respect while walking around the campus - and no staff is going to challenge me in my armoured plating. And maybe it could help create a new tradition at LUVE-U (heaven knows we need something that looks traditional in this place!), with others lower down the command chain (but not too low) wearing other similar - but lesser- attire as a sign that they, too, are part of management. We could exchange greetings by tapping on one another's helmets, and perhaps having a secret management handshake. This could be our own secret society, with decisions made completely out of view of anyone else. We could plot changes to the university and its global marketing without anybody being the wiser. Maybe the knighthood would carry even larger implications than I have yet imagined. It could be my own personal stepping-stone and path out of the Valley - to the chair of HEFCE, the Vice Chancellor of Oxford and/or Cambridge (why not merge them and run them through one office?), or maybe an ambassadorship. Roger, I'd never thought of the possibility of becoming a knight until the other day. Now I will never let go of the idea. REPLY FROM ROGER K. SMITH TO NIGEL WALLUPS, OVERHEARD ON THE CAMPUS OF LUVE-U: 'Nigel, ummm, you'd get the knighthood when you leave. And you surely don't expect to carry on running a place like this when you are a Sir, do you?' ***************************************************** 11. COMPETITION WINNER In the previous issue, we asked, 'What would you like to see proclaimed on a banner on the University's driveway, for visitors to see'? Our team of expert assessors locked themselves in the subtext warehouse to judge the competition. When they finally walked out, they saw their shadow, which means that we have a winner. Here it is, from Mike Cowie of CELT: 'We've got 200,000,000 reasons for wanting you not to protest' And the runner-up was also his: 'Lancaster University: Turning public money into unnecessary concrete since 1964'. Congratulations to Mike for his winning entry. He wins the new subtext board game, with £200,000,000 in subtext money, available at the nearest QinetiQ outlet store. ***************************************************** 12. LETTERS Banner reading Dear subtext editors, I was pleased to see that you drew attention to the delightful banners that adorned various parts of the university over the summer. However, I can't help feeling that you slightly missed the point of these heralds of a new university age. As you mentioned, the banners read 'We're investing £200,000,000 - accommodation, facilities, buildings'. The point, as I read it, was the complete absence of any reference to staff on these beautiful standards. Are we to take it that we are a liability rather than an investment? Or perhaps the powers that be will use the relocation to SE Asia as an opportunity to replace this expensive luxury with the more profitable and elegant solution of transforming the university into a hotel-leisure complex? Paul Ashwin, Educational Research [Note: in following up on this letter, subtext editors personally inspected the banners to see if they contain any indirect reference to people working or studying at the university. After taking samples to the subtext laboratory, we can now report that the banners themselves are in fact an illusion. They do not exist except to conceal a vortex leading to another dimension populated entirely by management – eds.] ****** Marketing management-speak? Dear subtext, Which words best describe LANCASTER UNIVERSITY [no question mark] Standards? Teaching Standards Research Standards Service Standards Lancaster is about MORE than JUST standards [what ARE they talking about?] Flexibility? Flexibility in Learning Flexibility in Research Flexibility in Lifestyle [that would be having two jobs to pay for your tuition fees, then?] Lancaster is about MORE than JUST flexibility [I think I'm grasping the structure now...] Ideas into action? [oh, God...] Theory practiced Technology applied Innovation [...innovated?] Lancaster is about MORE than JUST ideas into action [I'm fairly sure that isn't a sentence in any language] Community? Academic Community [no article?] A College Community An international community [no capitals for 'them'? they are the money-spinners aren't they?] Lancaster is about MORE than JUST community Standards Flexibility Ideas into action Community [is that all Lancaster's about?!] Standards Flexibility Ideas into action Community Lancaster's strengths [apparently so...] LANCASTER it's where you belong [a bit of a sinister note to end on!] Incredibly, this presentation is intended to attract new students, as it is prefaced by the introduction: 'Choosing a university can be a scary decision so below is a SNAPSHOT OF LIFE AT LANCASTER to help you make your choice'. Presumably the new intake are all big fans of repetition, bad grammar, Blairite non-sentences and buzz words. Noel Cass, Geography [The video is at mms://central-show.lancs.ac.uk/puboffice/lancuni.wmv. A link to it can be found on the university homepage (http://www.lancs.ac.uk). Simply go to the grey area and look for 'the video', which is written in bold white letters. - eds.] ***************************************************** The editorial collective of subtext currently consists (in alphabetical order) of: Lenny Baer, George Green, Gavin Hyman, Ian Reader, Bronislaw Szerszynski, and Alan Whitaker. |