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INKYTEXT 248 Part II
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PART II
Issue No 248 Tuesday May 12th 1998
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Editorial Correspondence to InkyText@lancaster.ac.uk
Subscription Requests to Inkytext-Distribution-Request@lists.lancs.ac.uk
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NOTE 1: Campus MsExchange users will have noticed that the first of
yesterday's power problems killed the Exchange mail server. (It would
reportedly have cost circa 1K to install a back-up power supply
protecting the server from power interruptions, as has been done in
IENS and elsewhere.) The server was in action again from 12.30 today,.
If you were one of those affected your backlog of mail (plus this)
should reach have reached you during the afternoon of Wed 13th.
NOTE 2: The Planning Officer points out that he told this journal the
proposed building work had been under discussion with all concerned
parties for some months and 'had been to the APC'. Indeed, but 4 senior
members of that body consulted this week claimed to be unaware that
they had approved the refectory scheme, hence the comment in Part I
that APC did not appear to have 'discussed' the matter.
The item in question emerged as part of Agendum 98/035: Space
Allocation and Minor Capital Programme for 1998/9 (Document:
VC/98/R131, Annual Review of Space Needs 1998/99). Papers included a
spreadsheet and outline proposals on space allocation (but these
documents are not currently accessible via the Web AFAIK).
It was the last item at the 20 March meeting of the APC and was
reached just before lunch. A number of members had already left and
others may not have read closely the parts of the space allocation
proposals that did not concern them. The part of the minute recording
APC approval of the relevant plans reads:
"5. Dr Henig stressed the importance to Humanities of setting aside
sufficient space to satisfy the demands of both Theatre Studies and
Music.
6. APC approved the recommendations of the Space Allocation Committee
as set out in VC/98/R131, subject to the concerns above and sufficient
funding being available."
Full text of all the space allocation proposals approved next time,
courtesy of the Planning Office.
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3. STRATEGY CONFERENCE REPORTS
------------------------------
It happened, and it has had some important indirect effects, not least
the forging of alliances between people who, until now, scarcely knew
each other. Even the organisers express pleasure at having engaged the
involvement and participation of people not hitherto prominently
involved in planning our future. At least two teams wish to continue to
meet as operational entities to help advance their 'policies'.
More importantly than that however, the event allowed numerous
informal cabals to debate, on Chatham House terms, potential future
pro-VCs and various misgivings about aspects of our governance.
All are agreed that the concluding session, in which Prof Abercrombie
seemed less bullish than some participants were about their brightest
ideas, was most significant. Some harsh things were said about current
procedures, leading the VC to remark, in what some almost certainly
wrongly took to be a rebuke to Prof Abercrombie, that he had been very
positive about the event until that final session. He was later
understood to have been consoled by the chair of Finance, whom some
thought sceptical about the realism of academic ideas.
This event was an economy affair compared to some of its lavish
Lakeland predecessors. It took place in the Lancaster House Training
Centre and lasted from 2 p.m. on Friday 1st May until tea-time next
day. It took the form of a game, in which three teams each focussed on
a different facet of the changes that survival and prosperity will
demand.
Teams of about a dozen (too large many thought) were formed by
invitation a month or so beforehand and had preliminary tactical
meetings and policy-forging sub-groups. Surprise expressed at some team
member choices who had no history of strategic interest, Each team
included a pro-VC or other senior officer, a dean (or two), a senior
lay member (the Pr-Chancellor, Chair of Finance and Deputy
Pro-Chancellor Martin all took part), a member of the Finance staff, a
senior administrator, a student, sundry academics and a junior
administrator to take the minutes.
Team A (old Lancaster) was chaired by Colin Pooley (Geography) who
gained many plaudits for his effective role in presidening over debate
and guiding argumentative old Lancastrians to a broadly agreed
position. This was not always easy since some were so locked in the old
that they were dubious about John Wakeford's ideas for forging more
degree partnerships with industry, etc. They were at least conscious of
where the 'hard' money that pays for the sewers and boilers will have
to continue to come from, and that is neither short term research
contracts nor overseas pgs.
Alistair Hetherington (Env Sci) firmly chaired Team B, and is tipped
by several for a future pro-vice-chancellorship, though others suspect
his side-kick Prof Macdonald might be beguiled into such a post
himself. Team B seems to have been most assiduous in preparing its
position and counter-arguments in detail beforehand. They were also
widely judged to have been the most effective in presentation and
forceful in debate, cross-questioning and counter-argument.
This team included both Prof Shepherd and Mr Macgregor, who as a
twosome performed an entertaining double act with the OHP, the Director
of Finance unguardedly quipping on the contrast between academics and
'professionals' [SIC] as he took over. Other members included Prof
Hughes and the Students' Union General Manager.
Team C was chaired by Prof Fulton, who, rightly but perhaps
over-emphatically, insisted it was all only 'pretend' and a 'game'.
They had the hardest brief, some thought, though the organisers deny
this. They had to exlore a future built around regional links,
life-long education and various types of short or post-experience
courses and qualifications. Some claim they were the least
well-rehearsed of the three, and most were disappointed by the lack of
persuasive visual aids in their presentations.
All agree that things livened up a lot in the post-dinner session on
the Friday. Various shocks thrown in by HEFCE team, a Dearing group
_deus ex machina_ were coped with on the Saturday, though attempts to
remould the groupings were resisted.
Team B is confident that it 'won' (as Mr Macgregor triumphantly put
it), and clearly contained the more aggressive game-players within its
bosom. Their ideas hinged around 5 broad groupings with anything that
didn't fit into one or 'tother ejected. These were Communications,
Management, Environment, and two others somehow spanning arts and
society. The brainwave that others were more sceptical about was that
each grouping should be headed by a high-powered, head-hunted, academic
administrator, bought in from outside as necessary.
Lots of imagination then, and some painful moments for administrators
whom the teams were reluctant to allow to go away and cherry-pick among
their brainwaves. A follow-up session is planned for the autumn.
[NOTE: The Editor was not present. This report is a moderated
compilation of participants' views.]
4. SMALL ADS
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FAMILLE FRANCAISE D'UNIVERSITAIRES recherche pour sa fille de 15 ans
(pianiste classique et passionnee de musique) famille anglaise avec
piano et jeune (fille ou garcon) du meme age partageant la meme
passion, pour sejour linguistique. Pour de plus amples renseignements
telephoner 01524 68371.
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Calling all Lonsdale Alumni (past and future)
LONSDALE COLLEGE FESTIVAL
Thirty Years Young
Friday July 3rd - Monday July 5th
starring the JOOLS HOLLAND BIG BAND, blues band, cricket match, whisky
tasting, receptions, banquet, John Allan and even a gradutation
ceremony. The festival marquee will be in Lonsdale Quad. Further
information from Laraine Shaw, Lonsdale College Office, tel. 01524
592151 or l.shaw@lancaster.ac uk
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UNIVERSITY STAFF CHESS CLUB: The team plays each year in the local cup
competitions with some degree of success (finalists over the last five
or six years). Unfortunately our numbers are diminishing and we need
new players for next session. Anybody who knows how to work a chess
clock and move the pieces will be welcomed. Please contact Dick Collins
on ext. 94613 or d.collins@lancaster.ac.uk
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IMMACULATE 4 RING FAN ASSISTED GAS COOKER FOR SALE due to new kitchen
being fitted. 50.00 as new, for further details ring Sue Garnett on
580100 (daytime) or 36835 (eves). Purchaser to collect.
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FAX MANUAL WANTED: Can someone out there possibly help? We need to
borrow a copy of the instruction manual for a Panafax UF 250, as we in
the History Department have gone back in time and are sending faxes
which come out dated 1988! If anyone has a manual which they would be
willing to lend, please e-mail me at e.dick@lancs.ac.uk. Thanks.
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HOST FAMILY WANTED: young (15 y) Flemish (Dutch-speaking) boy who
loves football seeks a host family for two weeks in first half of July
-- preferably with someone of his own age who might enjoy the odd
ballgame. Costs etc. can be discussed. Exchange may be a possibility
(his family, including two younger sisters, lives just outside
Brussels). Please contact Gerd Nonneman (g.nonneman@lancaster.ac.uk)
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HOUSE TO LET. Small, comfortable house to let in Lancaster (near the
railway station) for the period September -- January 1998. All
amenities provided. Suit visiting academic or postgraduate. Single
person preferred. Available at a very reasonable rent to the right
person. Please contact Dr Lynne Pearce on ex.2235 or email:
L.Pearce@lancaster.ac.uk.
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ROOM TO RENT, in Freehold, close to the town center, shared with a
nice postgraduate. The house has just been decorated, has all mod cons
and is 160 pounds a month, available immediately. Contact nos. are:
ex.93472 or 846 943.
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VISITING AUSTRALIAN ACADEMIC within Management Science seeks
assistance with accommodation asap. Poor exchange rates mean I'm
struggling. Over here until end July. If anyone can help out please
contact Debs Telford in Management Science on x 93840.
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ROOM WANTED FOR 2 WEEKS FOR VISITING SCHOLAR June 14-26 in driving
distance of the university for reasonable rent. Male, non-smoker,
tolerant of children. No allergies. Will have a car and parking is
therefore a consideration. Contact Rob Shields via email:
rshields@ccs.carleton.ca
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A POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCHER VISITING FROM Italy (M/NonSmoker) seeks either a
room with access to kitchen facilities or a furnished one-bedroom flat to
rent from June 1 to August 31. Please contact Antonio Marturano
<marturano@linet.it> or Paolo Palladino <P.Palladino@lancaster.ac.uk>.
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NEED A PLUMBER ? Prompt professional service - all work considered.
Cumbria, N W Lancs and W Yorks areas. Rates negotiable. Phone James
Langhorn 0411 582401, or e-mail langhorn@jireh.co.uk
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FLAT FOR SALE - Flat in Geaves, easy access to University and town
centre, suitable for a couple or single person, security entry system,
first floor with lift, one double bedroom, large lounge/dining room,
fully fitted kitchen, modern bathroom. Viewing recommended. 48,950
pounds. Contact Helen telephone 0131 337 4754
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HOUSE TO LET: three bedroom furnished terraced house to let in Glasson
Dock from July 1998 for up to two years. Quiet, off-road location in
the heart of the village. House has been extensively and carefully
renovated and includes fully fitted kitchen, raised stone fireplace
with open fire, and additional solid-fuel central heating; fully tiled,
large bathroom. Only ten minutes from the University. Suit visiting
academic. Please contact Guinevere Glasfurd (History)
hw22@dial.pipex.com, or phone 01524-752331 (after 6pm).
-----------
HOUSE TO RENT IN LANCASTER: Beautiful, spacious but comfortable
Georgian house opposite Lancaster Castle available September to
December 1998. Includes 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, garage, garden and
elderly cat. 700 pounds per calendar month including taxes and rates.
Ring Virginia Scott: 01524 68794.
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CEDARWOOD GREENHOUSE FOR SALE, 8' x 8', requires some attention.
Purchaser will need to dismantle and remove. ?40 o.n.o. Tel: Veronica
Holmes Ext 94095.
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HOUSE FOR SALE: 4 bedroomed, mid-terrace house for sale in Freehold
area of Lancaster. Two reception rooms, both with 'living gas' fires;
kitchen with plumbing for washing machine; bathroom, double bedroom
with fitted wardrobes, and single bedroom on the first floor; double
bedroom and single bedroom on the second floor. Gas central heating.
Cellar. Suitable for family house, or student accommodation. Offers
around 63,000. Please contact: ha4@york.ac.uk. Or telephone: 01347
868335.
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5. READERS' LETTERS
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Re your projected "Pollution Institute": for once, we have beaten you
to it. The Department of Environmental Science is already recruiting
undergraduates to BSc Pollution Science.
Nick Hewitt
Head of Department
Env Sci
-------------------
What price inter-university sport under the three eight-week term
structure. There's more to universities than research, learning,
teaching and support, as I'm sure you know. [NOTE: it's FIVE eight week
terms - that gives you TWO cricket seasons - or more if you choose the
right sabbatical venue. (Ed.)]
Anyway, as usual at this time of year, the Staff Cricket Club are
looking for any members of staff of the leather and willow persuausion,
currently not linked with the club, to offer their services.
We play 40-over friendlies most Sundays from this Sunday (the 3rd)
until mid-September, at some excellent away match venues around the
North West, as well as having home matches at the picturesque "Bailrigg
Bowl". We also have a side in the 20-over, Lancaster and Morecambe
Mid-Week Cricket League most mid-weeks (?).
Full details for the Web-enabled at http://www.lancs.ac.uk/socs/staffcc
or, for a more human interface, please contact the Friendlies and/or
League co-ordinators,
Dave Blacow (TV Unit) 93984
Pete Teasdale (Env Sci) 93571
respectively.
Kevin M. Buckley e-mail: K.Buckley@lancaster.ac.uk
Systems Administrator
Computer Centre
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In sympathy with Global Street Party Day on May 16th, where cities all
over the world have arranged to synchronise actions highlighting the
dominance of cars in our cities and culture by holding Reclaim The
Streets style street parties, Lancaster will be hosting a similar event
at 12 noon on Saturday 23rd May.
The change of date is in part to co-ordinate with numerous other street
parties around the UK to allow the largest possible attendance at
Birmingham RTS/Jubilee 2000 actions centring on the G8 Summit in
Birmingham on the 16th May, where it is hoped that around 50,000 people
will converge on the 'second city' in order to express opposition to the
world leaders' plans for increased globalisation, free trade and
expanding markets. As we know, this in effect means the abolition of
measures to protect the rights of workers, those in the developing
world, and the environment.
The event in Lancaster, in Dalton Square from noon, is intended to
combine as many diverse elements and people as possible, linked around
the themes of celebrating the possibilities of car-free culture. There
will be music, acoustic and electric, drumming and dancing, samba,
juggling, face-painting, art 'installations, a vegetarian/vegan cafe,
children's space and information stalls by local transport and
environmental groups.
Please spread the word, bring along friends and family, and bring along
costumes, banners, information, instruments etc on the day.
For further details phone (01524) 849313 or e-mail:
lancaster_rts@hotmail.com
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I was just wondering how you know that Prince William only finds 50%
of the students at Lancaster appealing.
Eva Eppler
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I am trying to persuade inkytext that the new multimillion pound
Ruskin Building needs a large sign at each end : one saying "LADIES"
the other saying "GENTS", - but it is not so functional a piece of
concrete.
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The MIS swimming team, the "MISFITS", raised a grand total of ?420.33
for Marie Curie Cancer Care & other charities by swimming 5000m on the
18th March.
Many thanks to all of you who sponsored us.
Malcolm Baldwin, MIS.
------------------------
Re mergers and so forth, the following extract reached my e-desk
today.
" CONCORD, N.H., May 14 (Reuters) -- Continuing the wave of
consolidation that saw Alabama, Mississippi and Georgia join to form
Nationsouth, Vermont and New Hampshire signed a deal today that will
combine the two into one state with the motto:
"Live Free or Whatever"
The deal involves a stock swap in which cows from Vermont and chickens
from New Hampshire will be exchanged 1-for-1.
BANGOR, Me., Aug. 22 (Bloomberg) -- Stephen King announced today that
he had acquired Joyce Carol Oates in a deal that will allow him to
increase production by as much as 125 percent, boosting his output to
at least one novel a month.
The new author, who will do business as Stephen, Joyce, King, Carol
and Oates, will be one of the most violent and critically acclaimed
novelists working today. Though Mr. King sells more books than Ms.
Oates, analysts say the acquisition of the respected writer will help
him make inroads into new markets, like college literature classes.
"It's a win-win situation," Mr. King said in an exclusive
interview with The New York Daily Newsday Times. "Joyce has the
prestige I've been looking for and is one of the few writers who
can keep up with my production schedule." An earlier deal in
which Mr. King had hoped to buy Upjohn Inc. fell through when Mr.
King was informed that the company was not John Updike.
WASHINGTON, Oct. 3 (UPI) -- In a deal that resonated in homes across
the country, Cats announced today that it had completed a hostile
takeover of Dogs. The new company, which Cats said will be called
OnePet, will supplant the recently created Birdfishgroup as the world's
largest supplier of home companion services.
PARIS, Nov. 14 (Agence France-Presse) -- In what is thought to be the
biggest merger of all time, Men and Women have agreed to join forces
into one sex, to be called Humanicorp.
The details of the arrangement are still being hammered out, but early
negotiations have Men taking breasts. Women have agreed in principle to
watch ESPN but have refused to give up self-respect. There are also
serious antitrust issues that will need to be resolved. A spokesman for
Men, Bob, said that Men had been trying for years to merge with Women
and that this was the culmination of a long-held dream for them. Women
were unavailable for comment."
[extract from the article] ULTIMATE ONENESS By Jay Jennings (New York
Times, April 20, 1998)
Your southern correspondent
Malcolm Fielding
Wattle Grove, Tasmania.
--------------------------------
Do you know what the deadline for the Alumni election votes was/is? I
think it was on the ballot form itself, and as I've sent mine in, I no
longer have a reference. It would be nice to think that this is not a
ballot akin to the one held over the TEP scheme - i.e. it stays open
until the desired result is achieved...
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