Notices

Calendar

31 July, Wednesday. Last ordinary issue of the Reporter in the 2023–24 academic year.

25 September, Wednesday. First ordinary issue of the Reporter in the 2024–25 academic year.

1 October, Tuesday. Michaelmas Term begins. Congregation of the Regent House at 9.55 a.m.: Election and admission of the Proctors. Annual address by the Vice‑Chancellor. (see p. 855).

8 October, Tuesday. Full Term begins. Discussion by videoconference at 2 p.m. (see below).

Discussion on Tuesday, 8 October 2024

The Vice‑Chancellor invites members of the Regent House, University and College employees, registered students and others qualified under the regulations for Discussions (Statutes and Ordinances, p. 111) to attend a Discussion by videoconference on Tuesday, 8 October 2024 at 2 p.m. The following item will be discussed:

1. Joint Report of the Council and the General Board, dated 18 July 2024, on the review of examination regulations following the marking and assessment boycott (Reporter, 6750, 2023–24, p. 806).

Those wishing to join the Discussion by videoconference should email UniversityDraftsman@admin.cam.ac.uk from their University email account, providing their CRSid (if a member of the collegiate University), by 10 a.m. on the date of the Discussion to receive joining instructions. Alternatively contributors may email their remarks to contact@proctors.cam.ac.uk, copying ReporterEditor@admin.cam.ac.uk, by no later than 10 a.m. on the day of the Discussion for reading out by the Proctors,1 or may ask someone else who is attending to read the remarks on their behalf.

In accordance with the regulations for Discussions, the Chair of the Board of Scrutiny or any ten members of the Regent House2 may request that the Council arrange for one or more of the items listed for discussion to be discussed in person (usually in the Senate-House). Requests should be made to the Registrary, on paper or by email to UniversityDraftsman@admin.cam.ac.uk from addresses within the cam.ac.uk domain, by no later than 9 a.m. on the day of the Discussion. Any changes to the Discussion schedule will be confirmed in the Reporter at the earliest opportunity.

General information on Discussions is provided on the University Governance site at https://www.governance.cam.ac.uk/governance/decision-making/discussions/.

Preachers before the University in 2024–25

The Vice-Chancellor gives notice that the following persons are now expected to preach during the next academic year on these days already appointed and announced for this purpose (Reporter, 6735, 2023–24, p. 448).

These sermons will be delivered in Great St Mary’s, the University Church, at 11.30 a.m. on the Sundays stated. Members of the University are reminded that they should wear academic dress when attending University Sermons. All are welcome and those present will be invited to take refreshments with the Preacher afterwards.

Election and admission of the Proctors and address by the Vice‑Chancellor: Tuesday, 1 October 2024

The Vice-Chancellor gives notice that she will deliver an address to the University following the Congregation on Tuesday, 1 October 2024 for the election and admission of the Proctors (as required by Statute C IV and the Special Ordinance made under it) and after swearing in the University Constables under the Universities Act 1825. The election is to be held at 10 a.m. Members of the Regent House and other members of the University community who wish to be present are therefore asked to be seated in the Senate-House by 9.50 a.m.; proceedings are expected to end by 11 a.m.

Tickets will not be issued and refreshments will be served afterwards. Matriculated members of the University community attending should wear academical dress (black gowns, hoods not required).

Grace 2 of 17 July 2024 (Chancellor fixed term): Notice of a ballot *

26 July 2024

The Vice-Chancellor has received a request signed by 44 members of the Regent House for a vote to be taken on Grace 2 of 17 July 2024 proposing a ten‑year fixed term for the Chancellor and High Steward and other changes to Statute (Reporter, 2023–24: 6744, p. 634 and 6749, p. 778). The names of the signatories are listed in the Annex below.

The vote will be conducted by ballot in accordance with the Single Transferable Vote Regulations early in the Michaelmas Term 2024.

For an amendment revising the Grace to be considered by the Council, the Registrary needs to receive the proposed amendment, signed by 25 or more members of the Regent House, by 4 p.m. on Tuesday, 1 October 2024.

For a fly-sheet to be circulated to members of the Regent House when voting opens, the Registrary needs to receive the fly-sheet, signed by 10 or more members of the Regent House or other authorised groups,1 by 1 p.m. on Friday, 11 October 2024.

The Registrary will accept amendments and fly-sheets:

(a)signed by completing an online form on the Regent House Petitions site or other authorised site by the deadline;2

(b)in hardcopy, signed with wet-ink signatures, with the names of signatories in block capitals, delivered to the Old Schools, or as an email from a University account that includes the text of the fly-sheet sent to registrary@admin.cam.ac.uk, or as a photo or scan of the document showing the signature sent by email (ideally from a University account) to registrary@admin.cam.ac.uk, by the deadline.

Once the deadline for amendments has passed, a Notice acknowledging receipt of those with sufficient signatures will be published and the Council will consider whether to add them to the ballot paper.

Those listed on the Roll of the Regent House promulgated on 6 November 2023 will be eligible to vote in this ballot.3 Online voting4 will open at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, 22 October and close at 5 p.m. on Friday, 1 November 2024 (voters will receive an email when voting opens). Hardcopy voting papers and supporting materials will be distributed not later than Tuesday, 22 October to those who opted in November 2023 to vote on paper; the last date for the return of voting papers is 5 p.m. on Friday, 1 November 2024.

Annex *

A vote has been requested by the following members of the Regent House:

Disposal of land at Cambridge West Innovation District for the Cambourne to Cambridge busway

18 July 2024

The Council proposes the granting of a 125-year lease to Cambridgeshire County Council (CCC) of two parcels of land (around three acres) on the Cambridge West Innovation District (CWID) in order for the Cambourne to Cambridge busway to be built. Its Notice of 5 June 2024 explained the rationale for the disposal and the reasons for the shortened timeline, and noted the planned demolition of the Atlas Building by the Greater Cambridge Partnership (Reporter, 6744, 2023–24, p. 626). The Council has considered the comments received at the Discussion in reviewing the final plans for the disposal (see p. 861). It supports the disposal because the busway will provide a public transport option for those travelling to and from the site and the negotiated position is preferable to losing the land by means of a compulsory purchase order. Under the option agreement with the CCC, the price for the land loss will be £120,169. The details of the disposal as described in the 5 June Notice and shown in the accompanying location plan are unchanged.

The Council, on the recommendation of the Estates Committee, the Property Board and the Finance Committee, is submitting a Grace (Grace 3, p. 881) for the approval of this disposal.

University salaries and stipends

24 July 2024

The Council has proposed that the current restrictions on contribution increments for academic staff in Grades 9, 10 and 11 should be removed with effect from 1 October 2024 (see below).

Removing these restrictions will create parity between academic and professional services roles at these grades. This change is also expected to aid recruitment to the affected offices of University Assistant Professor, University Associate Professor (Grades 9 and 10) and Professor (Grade 11). There would be two stages to this change:

1.Removal of the restrictions placed on these grades in Note 4 attached to Schedule I of the Ordinance for Stipends.1 The Council is accordingly submitting a Grace (Grace 1, p. 881) to amend the relevant text in Note 4, to enable more flexibility in recruitment decisions. Any newly accessible spine points in the contribution range would still fall within the governance of the Starting Salary (HR4) process (appointing into the contribution points).

2.Development of a new pay progression scheme to enable existing academic staff to progress through the full contribution point ranges in Grades 9, 10 and 11, expected to take effect from 1 October 2025.

Pay and benefits package

25 July 2024

At its meeting on 15 July 2024, the Council approved a suite of pay and benefits improvements for University staff, including a non-consolidated pensionable payment equivalent to 2.5% of basic pay, to University employees paid at or below point 48 on the University’s single salary spine. This package is an interim step pending the completion of a pay review, which the Council acknowledges is overdue. The goal of this multi-year project is to improve pay, benefits and grading structures, making the University more competitive as an employer.

The full pay and benefits package contains the following elements:

(a)A non-consolidated, pensionable payment equivalent to 2.5% of basic pay to University staff employed on University terms and conditions paid at or below point 48 on the single salary spine. This will take effect from 1 August 2024 and will last until the outcome of the pay review is known.

(b)All Grade 5 Research Assistants currently paid below point 36 will be moved up the pay spine to point 36 with effect from 1 August 2024 to ensure parity with new appointments to these roles.

(c)Enhanced paid family (maternity and adoption) leave from 18 to 26 weeks at full pay with effect from 1 October 2024.

(d)Enhanced paid paternity leave provision from 2 to 12 weeks at full pay with effect from 1 October 2024.

(e)Payment of visa and NHS surcharge fees for all new starters employed on a Skilled Worker or Global Talent Visa with effect from 1 October 2024.

(f)Removal of the current restrictions on contribution increments for academics in Grades 9, 10 and 11, implemented in two stages:

Stage 1: removal of the restrictions placed on these grades in Ordinances to enable more flexibility in academic recruitment decisions with effect from 1 October 2024, subject to Regent House approval by Grace (see the separate Notice above and Grace 1, p. 881); and

Stage 2: implementation of a new pay progression process to enable existing academic staff to progress through the full contribution point ranges in Grades 9, 10 and 11 with effect from 1 October 2025. This later implementation date will allow time to develop the process and seek the necessary approvals.

Topic of concern to the University on MRC Unit funding: Notice in response to Discussion remarks

25 July 2024

The Council has received the remarks made at the Discussion on 25 June 2024 on the above Topic of concern (Reporter, 2023–24: 6745, p. 660; 6748, p. 773).

The Council agrees with the contributors to the recent Discussion that the Medical Research Council’s decision to replace its Unit awards with Centres of Research Excellence (CoRE) represents a very significant change. It brings to an end a continuous period of relatively secure MRC funding that has endured, in a number of cases as described by Dr Astle and others, for many decades.

The current MRC Units are institutions in the Schools of the Biological Sciences and Clinical Medicine, and both Schools have been active since 2022 in assessing the options to secure and sustain the research – and the research infrastructure – of the current Units, and to do so firmly in the context of each School’s Academic Vision.

A project board was convened in 2023 to guide the work of the Schools and the professional services teams that will support them in achieving an orderly transition. Several contributors to the Discussion have requested that the constitution and membership of that board be reviewed. The Council is satisfied that it is appropriate to have a forum in which sensitive matters can be discussed without the direct participation of Unit Directors or trade union representatives. The Heads of School and the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research) have a regular schedule of meetings with the Unit Directors. Dialogue with the trade unions is led by the Human Resources Division.

The Budget and Allocations Report published on 12 June and discussed on 25 June demonstrates the seriousness of the Academic University’s financial position.1 In this context, it is not possible – as some contributors to the Discussion have suggested – for the University to ‘absorb’ costs that today are met in large part by MRC Unit awards, or make commitments ‘irrespective of the outcome of CoRE applications’.

Absent the kind of award which has to date covered the full, direct costs of a Unit (which will not be met by any CoREs awarded to the University), it would be very difficult to perpetuate the Units in their current form or support the creation of new ‘big D’ departments. The work of the Schools has focused – and will continue to focus – on supporting the academic endeavour of the current Units and considering how best to integrate them with the University’s existing academic department structures. This need not undermine what Professor Astle describes as the ‘tremendous interdisciplinary creativity’ of the current Units; both Schools have articulated and are implementing crosscutting research themes that range across formal departmental structures.

A strong scientific vision will support philanthropic fundraising as encouraged by several contributors. The process of identifying, cultivating and securing substantial philanthropic gifts takes a long time (often several years), however, and a plan that relies on philanthropy would not meet the contributors’ ambition – shared by the Council – to provide clarity as soon as possible for staff and postgraduate students affected by the end of the Unit funding model.

Several contributors identified risks to the future of postgraduate education programmes that benefit from teaching provided by academic staff in MRC Units. The School of Clinical Medicine will work with Heads of Department, course directors and Unit Directors to assess the requirements of each course and identify long-term solutions to ensure the continued viability of these courses.

The Council regrets that requests to the Human Resources Division from members of staff in the MRC Units have not been addressed in a timely fashion and has asked the School of Clinical Medicine’s Head of HR to investigate. Dedicated HR resource has been made available to support the change process, working closely with Unit Directors and School officers. A number of University staff remain on MRC terms and conditions, a result of TUPE obligations placed on the University when the MRC Units transferred into the University. The MRC’s cessation of its Unit awards means that the TUPE protection afforded to those staff also ceases if those staff are appointed to new roles, as these would be on University terms and conditions.

Professor Evans raised a query about the status of the Research Career Pathway. A review group led by Professor Steve Russell has consulted with staff and is preparing a paper with proposals for decision during the 2024–25 academic year.

First-stage Report of the Council on a new temporary facility for the Molecular Imaging Chemistry Laboratory (MICL) at the Cambridge Biomedical Campus: Notice in response to Discussion remarks

25 July 2024

The Council has received the remarks made at the Discussion on 16 July 2024 on the above Report (Reporter, 2023–24: 6748, p. 731; 6750, p. 846).

The Council notes the general acknowledgement that the current MICL accommodation is unacceptable and that new accommodation must be found as soon as possible.

However, concerns are raised about the departure from usual University governance processes; the choice of site for the new temporary facility for the MICL; the impact on the users of the East Forvie Building (EFB); and the lack of engagement with occupiers of the Forvie site.

The Investment Approval Process (IAP) requires that ‘unless otherwise agreed by the PRC [Planning and Resources Committee] at the Registration Stage, approval of projects with a total required investment in excess of £2m should follow a four-stage approval process’. The PRC approved the Registration of the project, the establishment of a Project Board, and the appointment of a Representative User, having received information making the case for derogation from that four-stage process. The condition of the MICL, exacerbated by the discovery of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete, made it a pressing need to find a solution. The Council considers that approval to move from Registration to the Outline Business Case, without a Strategic Outline Business Case, to be a reasonable deviation from the IAP in these circumstances.

However, the Council recognises that affected parties need greater assurance that all possible locations for the temporary facility have been properly considered and that the impact of the facility on the users of the EFB is fully understood. The Project Board will therefore establish a sub-committee, with appropriate representation from users of the Forvie site, East Forvie Building and any other University site or building under consideration, to oversee a site options assessment. Before endorsing a preferred location, the sub-committee will ensure that an assessment has been undertaken of the impact of the temporary facility on the users of any building that may be affected; that mitigation measures have been identified and appraised; and that appropriate engagement has been undertaken with users.

The Council will therefore not submit a Grace for the approval of the recommendations of this Report unless and until a further Notice to the Regent House has been published providing details of the sub-committee’s findings.

University of Cambridge Financial Regulations

25 July 2024

The Council, on the advice of the Finance Committee, has approved amendments to the Financial Regulations with effect from 1 October 2024 (Statutes and Ordinances, p. 1051; see also: https://www.finance.admin.cam.ac.uk/policy-and-procedures/financial-regulations). The amendments raise the threshold for advance payments requiring the approval of the Director of Finance from £10,000 to £50,000, delegate the approval of advance payments up to £50,000 to Heads of Department and clarify that the thresholds will include VAT where applicable.

With effect from 1 October 2024, in Regulation 18.4, paragraphs (b) and (c) will be amended and new paragraph (d) inserted, to read as follows, and existing paragraph (d) renumbered as (e):

(b)The Head of Department’s prior written consent is needed for one or more payments in advance in relation to any contract totalling £50,000 or less including VAT if applicable.

(c)The Director of Finance’s advice and prior written consent is needed for:

•all Leasing irrespective of the Total Value (except where a Leasing Framework Contract is used – see the definitions in Schedule 2); a cost benefit analysis shall be submitted where consent is required.

•payments in advance exceeding £50,000 including VAT if applicable; and

•payment under early settlement terms exceeding £250,000 including VAT if applicable.

(d)The Director of Finance’s advice is needed for:

•procurement (other than construction) where the Total Value exceeds £100,000 including VAT if applicable;

•procurement where the Total Value exceeds £50,000 including VAT if applicable and supplier terms are used.

New Fellowship Programme for Emerging Academic Leaders

25 July 2024

The Council has approved the creation of a new scheme, sponsored by the Vice-Chancellor, to provide emerging academic leaders with experience of working at a senior level within the University and of having responsibility for leading and delivering University- or School‑wide initiatives. These opportunities are intended to facilitate the creation of an internal pipeline of future academic leaders at the University. The scheme will involve the creation of up to six new Fellowships, each supported by a Pro‑Vice‑Chancellor.

This year we are seeking two Fellows who will be supported by the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Education and Environmental Sustainability). Each will be assigned a portfolio, as detailed below:

1.Educational innovation and development: this will include oversight of non-traditional education (executive and professional; online; part-time); digital education (including the new digital assessment service and its delivery); and the diversification of modes of teaching, learning and assessment, including technology-assisted modes of delivery and digital assessment.

2.Teaching review: leadership of reforms to teaching and learning as emerging through the Teaching Review to ensure sustainability, including of the supervision system. Within this context, development of an Education (Teaching and Learning) Strategy, and leadership for the collegiate University’s approach to skills, careers and employability.

Attributes and experience

The successful candidate is likely to be a senior academic, normally Grade 10 and above, with a desire to obtain greater experience of working across the University and Colleges, with a view to taking on a leadership role in the future.

The individual will have a curiosity about how the University currently works and how it might work better, with the ability to influence and persuade and build consensus. Strong communication skills and the ability to prioritise will be essential.

Terms of appointment

Each Fellow will be appointed at 20% FTE for one year, renewable for a maximum of three years. The stipend is expected to be £25,000 p.a., but the precise figure will vary based on individual circumstances.1 In addition to financial remuneration, the Fellows will each receive professional development support, including participation in the University’s Senior Leadership Programme Level 3 course (if not already completed).

The Vice-Chancellor expects to make the appointment during the Long Vacation, with a start date of 1 October 2024.

Expressions of interest and further information

The Vice-Chancellor welcomes expressions of interest from individuals. This is an internal scheme open to individuals from within the University and the Colleges.

Expressions of interest, including a curriculum vitae and covering letter should be sent by email to the Resourcing Team in the Human Resources Division at seniorrecruitment@admin.cam.ac.uk by Friday, 30 August 2024.

Grace for submission to the Regent House under Special Ordinance A (ii) 5: Divestment from the arms industry

26 July 2024

The Council has received the following Grace, which has been initiated under Special Ordinance A (ii) 5 by 165 members of the Regent House:

The Regent House, as the governing body of the University, requests

(a)that the University disclose in aggregate form the direct and indirect exposure of its investments within and outside the Endowment Fund in companies whose business is concerned with the arms industry, as defined below;¹ and that the University commits to divest from the arms industry within the time period specified below; and

(b)that the Council publish a Report to the University within six months of issuance of this Grace setting out how the University will divest from the arms industry. This Report should:

(i)provide costed details of how the University will divest from the arms industry; and

(ii)consider the effects of divestment on the university’s mission and function; and

(iii)set out a timetable for divestment which is to be completed no later than the beginning of Michaelmas Term 2025 – with the understanding that divestment from private equity funds may require further time.

(c)that the Council put in place measures to ascertain that divestment has been completed, and to prevent future investments of this kind. Information on this category of investments should be included in the annual report of the Cambridge University Endowment Fund henceforth.

 
A list of the signatories is included in the Annex below.

The Council will consider the proposed Grace at its meeting on 21 October 2024.

Annex

Forthcoming disposal of land at Cambridge West for the Cambourne to Cambridge busway: Notice in response to Discussion remarks

31 July 2024

The Council has received the remarks made at the Discussion on 9 July 2024 concerning the above Notice about a proposal for the disposal of land (Reporter, 2023–24: 6744, p. 626, 6747, p. 705; 6749, p. 791). The Council notes the remarks made by Professor Cardwell, Ms Flood, Dr O’Brien and Ms Nash in support of the disposal by way of option of two parcels of land on the Cambridge West Innovation District to Cambridgeshire County Council (CCC) under the terms negotiated with the Greater Cambridge Partnership (GCP), rather than being obliged to sell the land on the less favourable terms of a compulsory purchase order.

The Council acknowledges the strength of feeling from other contributors about the potential impact of the off-road route for the Cambourne to Cambridge busway that has been selected by the GCP, both prior to entering the University’s Cambridge West site at Coton, and after it leaves the site and heads towards Grange Road. Concerns noted include traffic congestion issues (Dr Short, Dr Hills), the impact on pedestrians and people exercising (Dr Caines), and nuisance to existing neighbours (Dr Short). Dr Gannon, Professor Hirst, Dr Pullinger and Dr Sanger cite the carbon footprint of the off-road route when compared with an on-road route as a reason to re-evaluate the proposal. A number of commentators urge the on-road routes be more fully examined and costed, with Dr Green suggesting the University itself should commission a report into the inbound-on-road alternative route. Professor Evans notes that concerns were raised in 20151 about pavement cyclists; Dr Gannon suggests a cycle route alone may be an option. Professor Evans also highlights that protections are necessary for any great crested newts impacted by the busway.

The Council recognises that whilst the location and route of the proposed busway is of concern and relevance to local residents and colleagues, the University is not in a position to dictate the preferred route, as this is a matter for the statutory planning process. The statutory process will enable objections to the route and busway to be aired and addressed by the Secretary of State. The process also allows for a public inquiry to be held by a planning inspector. The Council suggests this route is utilised by those with an objection to the busway.

The Council’s understanding is that the busway proposed by the GCP should provide an increase in public transport capacity to and from the Cambridge West site that a cycle route alone would not offer – in particular for individuals who are unable to cycle. For those able to cycle, the GCP-proposed busway designs include an active travel route running alongside the vehicular route. Additional interventions to enhance walking and cycling infrastructure in the vicinity are also proposed by the GCP including improvements to route options along Madingley Road and proposals for a number of greenways (sustainable, green, low-gradient travel routes), including those from Comberton and Barton. By routing the busway through Cambridge West, the existing infrastructure (Charles Babbage Road) can be utilised, reducing the amount of greenbelt and new infrastructure (with embodied carbon) needed to complete the route. These measures will provide alternatives to private motor use, reducing carbon emissions and providing a link through Cambridge West towards the city centre. The GCP will be responsible for ensuring the adequate protection of any great crested newts impacted by the busway as the route is constructed, as part of their legal obligations.

In the event that the Transport and Works Act order (TWAO) is made by the Secretary of State, the land in question at Cambridge West will be transferred to CCC for it to build and operate the busway. The option agreement that has been negotiated is conditional upon the TWAO being made and activated with a defined period of time (three years) from the issuing of the order. Under the terms of the option agreement, the University has negotiated the grant of a 125-year lease as the preferred land transfer mechanism. This avoids a compulsory transfer of the University’s freehold interest and permanent rights along Charles Babbage Road to CCC, enabling the University to retain more control than would be available following a compulsory purchase order, which would be imposed in the absence of the option agreement. The Council supports the negotiated leasehold option as the most favourable option available to the University (see p. 856).

Honorary Degrees: Call for nominations

Nominations are invited from members of the University community for the award of honorary doctorates. Full details about eligibility to nominate for and to receive such degrees and the process are published online at https://www.cam.ac.uk/about-the-university/how-the-university-and-colleges-work/processes/honorary-degrees/the-nomination-and-approval-process, where a list of honorary degrees conferred since 1977 may also be found.

The University Council’s Honorary Degree Committee would welcome nominations of persons of national or international distinction and especially of those whose work promotes the University’s mission and core values1. Such distinction may be in any field (and any genre within a field) and need not always relate closely to academic achievement. The Committee wishes to increase the breadth and diversity of its field of candidates – both in terms of background (for instance, gender and ethnicity) and area of achievement.

The Committee has simplified the process for making nominations, which should be submitted via the online form.

Regent House membership for retired University staff: Reminder

Members of the University are reminded that the deadline for applications from retired or retiring members of University staff for inclusion on the 2024 Roll of the Regent House under the provisions of Special Ordinance A (i) (e) is Thursday, 15 August 2024. Applicants must meet the qualifying criteria, including having previously been on the Roll and not being eligible in any other category. See the previous Notice (Reporter, 6745, 2023–24, p. 659) for further details and a link to the application form.

Annual Reports

The following Annual Reports have been received by the Council and/or the General Board and are available as indicated:

Cambridge University Botanic Garden Annual Report and Accounts, 2022–23:
https://www.botanic.cam.ac.uk/the-garden/annual-report/

Cambridge Zero Annual Report, 2022–23:
https://www.zero.cam.ac.uk/who-we-are/annual-reports

Environmental Sustainability Annual Report, 2022–23:
https://www.environment.admin.cam.ac.uk/Annual-Report

Fitzwilliam Museum and Hamilton Kerr Institute Annual Report, 2022–23:
https://fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk/about-us/governance-policies-and-reports

Property Board Annual Report, 2022–23 (University account required):
https://www.governance.cam.ac.uk/committees/propertyboard/Pages/annualreports.aspx