Reports

Second-stage Report of the Council on the restructuring of space and refurbishment of the basement, ground, and first floors of the Department of Genetics on the Downing site

The Council begs leave to report to the University as follows:

1. A First-stage Report on the restructuring of space and refurbishment of the basement, ground, and first floors of the Department of Genetics on the Downing site was submitted to the Regent House on 16 October 2013 (Reporter, 6321, 2013–14 p. 35) and approved by Grace 2 of 20 November 2013. This Second-stage Report is to update the Regent House on further development of the scheme and to seek approval for construction to proceed.

2. As stated in the First-stage Report, the Department of Genetics has not had any significant refurbishment of space used for research and associated activities in the main building of the Department in the last 15 years, and this lack of long-term investment and planning has led to a number of problems, resulting in a space that has not kept pace with the academic needs of the Department. The election of the next Arthur Balfour Professor of Genetics provides the ideal opportunity to plan for the future strategic direction of the Department, in order to address the critical need for a significant programme of refurbishment work to accommodate current and imminent appointments, and remove barriers to the recruitment of planned appointments.

3. The proposals that affect the basement, ground, and first floors are extensive and represent nearly 50% of the total floor area of the building as follows: basement: 395m²; ground floor: 370m²; first floor: 496m².

4. The proposed spaces include a mix of wet and dry laboratories, equipment rooms, office space, and meeting rooms, and will:

•transform the building, with improved daylight penetration into the central circulation spine;

•provide a flexible open-plan space for scientific research;

•assist recruitment and foster stronger integration not only within the Department but also between other Departments within the School of the Biological Sciences.

5. In accordance with the Capital Projects Process, a Full Case has been prepared and will be submitted to the Planning and Resources Committee at their meeting to be held on 4 December 2013.

6. A planning application was submitted in November 2013 and it is hoped to appoint a contractor so that work can begin in April 2014. The construction works will be phased to maintain a degree of functionality, with the ground and first floors being completed at the end of November 2014 and the basement completed in April 2015.

7. The estimated cost of the total project is £3.873m with £1.75m from the Capital Fund and £2.123m from School and Departmental sources. No increase to running costs is anticipated as existing inefficient plant and associated equipment and lighting will be replaced with modern energy-efficient equipment in the new facilities.

8. Further details relating to the design, maintenance, and recurrent costs will be brought to future meetings of the Buildings Committee and the Planning and Resources Committee.

9. Drawings of the proposed scheme are displayed for the information of the University in the Schools Arcade.

10. The Council recommends:

I. That approval be confirmed for the restructuring and refurbishment of the Department of Genetics as described in this Report.

II. That the Pro-Vice Chancellor (Planning and Resources), on the advice of the Director of Estate Strategy, be authorized to accept a tender for the works, within the available funding, in due course.

6 December 2013	L. K. Borysiewicz, Vice-Chancellor	Richard Jones	Flick Osborn
	Jeremy Caddick	Fiona Karet	Rachael Padman
	Stephen J. Cowley	F. P. Kelly	Shirley Pearce
	Athene Donald	Mark Lewisohn	John Shakeshaft
	I. M. Le M. Du Quesnay	Rebecca Lingwood	Jean Thomas
	Nicholas Gay	Mavis Mcdonald	I. H. White
	David Good	Susan Oosthuizen	A. D. Yates
	Andy Hopper

Report of the General Board on the establishment of a Professorship of History of Art

The General Board beg leave to report to the University as follows:

1. The Department of History of Art was established in 1970, since when it has furthered the study of Western art and architecture in the University and won a sustained reputation for academic excellence. The Department currently has 98 undergraduates reading History of Art and a lively and expanding population of postgraduate students working in a range of topics for the M.Phil. and Ph.D. Degrees. Its reputation is underpinned by the outstanding collections of the Fitzwilliam Museum, one of the world’s finest university museums, and it is in the process of developing more in-depth collaborations with the Museum (including the Hamilton Kerr Institute), Kettle’s Yard, and the University Library. The main emphasis of the Department is on European art and architecture, and it has developed, and is still developing, trends in Colonial American and Asian art. Alumni of the Department hold distinguished positions in university departments or at major museums and galleries, while others are famous artists or major figures in the art market.

2. The Department of History of Art is the only department within the School of Arts and Humanities without a permanently established Professorship. In order to maintain its leading position nationally and internationally, it is vital to ensure that Cambridge strengthens its research leadership and enhances its provision for graduate and undergraduate students. The establishment of a Professorship of History of Art will enable the Department to attract candidates who are internationally recognized as leaders within their field. A Professor of this calibre will provide focus and rigour and will enable the Department to deliver bold and ambitious teaching and research, enhancing its reputation and giving it the critical mass to secure its long-term future and retain its position as a centre of academic excellence.

3. The Faculty Board of Architecture and History of Art have accordingly agreed to propose the establishment of a Professorship of History of Art, and this has been endorsed by the Council of the School of Arts and Humanities. The costs of the Professorship will be met in part by the suppression of the University Lectureship released from abeyance on the retirement of Professor D. J. Howard. The balance of the cost will be met from funds available to the School of Arts and Humanities. The General Board have accepted the Faculty Board’s proposal for the establishment of the Professorship on this basis.

4. The Board are satisfied that an appointment at this level will be likely to attract a strong field of applicants. They are assured that suitable accommodation is available in the Department of History of Art for the Professor. The Board have agreed to concur in the view of the Faculty Board of Architecture and History of Art that election to the Professorship should be made by an ad hoc Board of Electors and that candidature should be open to all persons whose work falls within the field in the title of the Professorship.

5. The General Board recommend:

I. That a Professorship of History of Art be established in the University from 1 January 2015, placed in Schedule B of the Statutes, and assigned to the Department of History of Art.

4 December 2013	L. K. Borysiewicz, Vice-Chancellor	Simon Franklin	Patrick Maxwell
	Philip Allmendinger	David Good	Rachael Padman
	H. A. Chase	Richard Jones	John Rallison
	Sarah Coakley	Robert Kennicutt	Henk-JaapWagenaar
	M. J. Daunton	Duncan Maskell

Report of the General Board on the re-establishment of a Professorship of Respiratory Biology

The General Board beg leave to report to the University as follows:

1. Diseases of the respiratory system are highly prevalent and affect people at all stages of life. Asthma affects 14% of children and is now the most chronic disease affecting Europeans. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is the third leading cause of death, and lung cancer remains the single biggest cause of cancer deaths worldwide. Respiratory infections including tuberculosis and pneumonia continue to represent global medical and healthcare problems. As a consequence, advances in respiratory science are needed to improve the care and treatment of patients. Understanding the molecular basis of disease in this area remains a key step towards defining new approaches to treatment.

2. The University has a long tradition of achievement in respiratory science across a range of subject areas including innate immunity, respiratory physiology, surfactant and antitrypsin biochemistry, respiratory pathogens, and the pharmacology of cystic fibrosis. In recent years this has extended to the discipline of clinical respiratory medicine where, since the establishment of a Respiratory Medicine Division in the Department of Medicine in 1998, research into the mechanisms of respiratory diseases and their treatment has been highly productive and internationally competitive. This initiative sits at the heart of the School’s strategy to understand the molecular mechanisms of common diseases and translate these into effective treatments. The impending move to the Cambridge Biomedical Campus of Papworth Hospital, and the University’s plans to build a linked Heart and Lung Research Institute, will create Europe’s largest cardiothoracic centre.

3. The Faculty Board of Clinical Medicine have accordingly agreed to recommend the re-establishment of the Professorship of Respiratory Biology, which lapsed on 1 January 2013 following the resignation of Professor D. A. Lomas, to provide leadership in research and teaching in the discipline. The costs of the Professorship, which will be held at Honorary Consultant level, will be met jointly between Papworth Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and the School of Clinical Medicine. The General Board have accepted the Faculty Board’s proposal for the establishment of the Professorship on this basis.

4. The Board are satisfied that an appointment at this level will be likely to attract a strong field of applicants. They are assured that the Faculty Board have undertaken to provide support and facilities for the Professor from within existing resources. The Board have agreed to concur in the view of the Faculty Board that an election to the Professorship should be made by an ad hoc Board of Electors and that candidature should be open to all persons whose work falls within the general field of the title of the Professorship.

5. The General Board recommend:

I. That a Professorship of Respiratory Biology be re-established for a single tenure from 1 January 2014, placed in Schedule B of the Statutes, and assigned to the Department of Medicine.

1 December 2013	L. K. Borysiewicz, Vice-Chancellor	Simon Franklin	Patrick Maxwell
	Philip Allmendinger	David Good	Rachael Padman
	H. A. Chase	Richard Jones	John Rallison
	Sarah Coakley	Robert Kennicutt	Henk-JaapWagenaar
	M. J. Daunton	Duncan Maskell