Dear colleagues,
Last week I updated you on the measures the University is taking to help colleagues with the cost of living crisis, which included making pro-rated, non-consolidated payments to all staff in next month’s salary. This has been well received, with many of you writing to me to express your appreciation – thank you for that.
As a values-led, people-orientated employer, it is clear that such an investment in supporting our staff is crucial at this challenging time and recognises your individual contribution to our shared success.
I am also committed to ensuring that we support our students’ financial wellbeing, and we have created a webpage that brings together a variety of advice and resources on managing on a limited income in a time of rising living costs.
This includes information on funding and welfare entitlements available to students, resources for finding part-time employment, and details of the various discounts they can take advantage of.
In addition, the webpage provides links to the funds the University has in place to help students in particular need, such as the Childcare Fund, Discretionary Fund, the Lady Eileen McDonald, EU and International Student Fund, and the Emergency Aid Fund. Strath Union’s Advice Hub, on Level 1 of the Learning & Teaching Building, also provides helpful resources for helping students to manage their money and financial support.
We will continue to work closely with colleagues across the University and in Strath Union to monitor the financial situation facing our students and explore options to help where we can, when we can.
Our support for staff and students was reported to our Court when it met yesterday and the efforts the University is making in relation to the cost of living crisis were fully endorsed by its members.
Court is a key part of the Strathclyde community – as well as our senior governance body – and the members were assured and encouraged to see the practical and impactful measures we have put in place, recognising their consistency with Strathclyde’s values and our socially progressive ethos.
In the coming days we have two notable events taking place at the University.
On Saturday, we will be holding another Open Day, where we anticipate thousands more prospective students visiting our campus to learn about our offering and tour our facilities. Open Days play a significant role in our recruitment activities and I’d like to thank those colleagues involved in supporting these important events.
And, on Monday, Health and Care Futures at Strathclyde will be hosting a showcase event – ‘Perspectives on the Future Hospital and Beyond Its Walls’ – which will be attended by health and care professionals from across Scotland and further afield. Speakers include the chief executive officers of our strategic partners NHS Lanarkshire and NHS Golden Jubilee health boards, as well as former NHS England Chief Executive Lord Simon Stevens, who is also an alumnus.
I would encourage all staff with an interest in the future of health and care to register for the event to learn more about Health and Care Futures and how they might get involved and engage with our partners in the NHS and beyond to drive innovation in this important sector.
Enjoy the rest of the week and have a great weekend when it comes.
Best wishes,
Jim