Dear colleagues,
Earlier this week, at our regular Executive Team meeting, we reviewed the University’s COVID-19 mitigation measures that are currently in place.
This follows the lifting of many of Scotland’s remaining restrictions and the Scottish Government’s request for employers to consider the implementation of a hybrid approach to working – with workers spending some time in the office and some time at home, where that can be done safely.
Going forward, the Executive Team endorsed our continued adherence to the Scottish Government’s Safer Workplaces guidance and any sector-specific guidance provided.
This means that the wearing of face coverings will continue to be required by law in all indoor communal areas, including the library, throughout the Learning and Teaching Building, teaching spaces, offices and laboratories.
The latest guidance does allow for face coverings to be removed in certain limited circumstances at work, where 1m distancing, partitions or screens are in place, and this will be part of the ongoing review of risk assessments.
With regard to physical distancing, even though the law no longer requires it, the University continues to advise keeping a reasonable distance (1m) from others to minimise risk – especially when indoors and in enclosed places.
All of our safety measures can be found on the Staff information & FAQs webpages and they will assist colleagues with planning their return to campus where appropriate.
The health, safety and wellbeing of our staff and students continues to be central to everything we do, so the University is planning to participate in the Distance Aware Scheme, with badges and lanyards provided to anyone who prefers others to take extra care around them.
On another matter… last year, colleagues from across the University came together to intensify our efforts in sustainable education, research, knowledge exchange and operations to build a cleaner, greener society – and to ensure Strathclyde played an important role as we welcomed COP26 to Glasgow in November.
To help us to build momentum and drive progress in this crucial area, we have set up a new Sustainability Strategic Steering Group. Chaired by Steven Wallace, our Chief Financial Officer, the Steering Group will oversee six dedicated Task Groups to support the delivery of our Climate Change and Social Responsibility Policy and Plan.
These groups are focusing on:
- Energy and Adaptation
- Sustainable Resource Use and Supply Chain
- Climate Finance
- Transport and Travel
- Performance, Review and Reporting
- Community Engagement and Communication.
Vision 2025 sets out our ambitions to see a year-on-year reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, leading to a 70% reduction by 2025, 80% by 2030 and net zero by 2040 at the latest.
Meeting our ambitious targets will require a concerted effort by everyone, and I encourage you to engage with these Task Groups in the weeks and months ahead. Please keep an eye on Inside Strathclyde for further information about the next steps.
I am also pleased to share with you the news that Wesley Rennison has been appointed to the role of Director of Strategic Planning. Wesley is currently the Director of Strategic Planning at the University of Dundee and has worked in Information and Planning for almost 20 years, with significant experience of UK and Scottish government policy. Wesley is chairperson of the Higher Education Strategic Planners’ Association (HESPA), and regularly interacts with the Office for Students, the Higher Education Statistics Agency, league tables compilers, and the UK Government. We look forward to welcoming Wesley to Strathclyde when he takes up his new role in May.
Finally, I was delighted to note this week that three Strathclyders have been appointed to the Prime Minister’s Business Council – a very influential group which plays a major role in guiding and informing the UK’s economic future.
Alumnae Anita Frew (Chair of Rolls Royce and Croda) and Dr Lena Wilson (Chair of AGS Airports and Picton Property and an SBS Visiting Professor), join Visiting Professor Keith Anderson (Chief Executive of ScottishPower and President of CBI Scotland) on the Council. They will play their part in supporting the UK’s recovery from the pandemic, the green industrial revolution, and the unlocking of global investment.
Enjoy the rest of the week and have a pleasant weekend.
Best wishes,
Jim