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Heads of Colleges Further Details
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Contents Heads of Colleges advertisement The Role of a Head of College Person Specification Grey College Ustinov College St Cuthbert’s Society Durham University Outline Terms of Employment How to Apply
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Master of Grey College (founded 1959) Principal of Ustinov College (postgraduate only: founded 1965) Principal of St Cuthbert’s Society (founded 1888). Salary will be by negotiation and includes a residence for the Head of College Durham is a Collegiate University. Our sixteen residential Colleges are distinctive educational communities with a significant residential component, enabling staff and students from different backgrounds, disciplines and experience to support each other in their academic and non-academic lives at University. We are seeking talented academic leaders who have the vision and experience to lead one of Durham University’s sixteen Colleges. Heads of College are normally resident within their College and a house is provided. The posts require intellectual as well as organisational leadership and their academic discipline should ensure effective engagement with research in one of our academic Departments. The posts offer an excellent opportunity to combine the leadership and management of an educational community (50%) with teaching and research (50%).
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Heads of Colleges Applicant Briefing
The Role of a Head of College Heads of Colleges are senior University leaders. Heads of Colleges (for the University’s maintained Colleges) report to and are line-managed by the Deputy Warden, who is budget holder for the Colleges Division and a member of the University Executive Committee (UEC). Heads of Colleges will normally be appointed to a substantive Professorship within the University, and will be appointed Head of College for five years in the first instance, renewable for subsequent periods as appropriate on the recommendation of the Deputy Warden and a decision by the Vice-Chancellor and Warden as Chair of Senate. The Head of College is a 50% appointment with the remainder of the individual’s time spent on academic (normally research) activities. Annual staff reviews and renewal of appointment will require appropriate levels of performance in both parts of the role, involving the Head of the relevant Department. Durham University expects all its Colleges to be diverse and distinctive educational communities, with a significant residential component, enabling staff and students from different backgrounds, disciplines and experience to support each other in their lives at the University. We expect the Head of College to ensure his/her College, individually and collectively, delivers University strategy, particularly policies in the areas of Education and Research, through: Leading the implementation of the University strategy within the college, working in partnership with academic departments and professional services, endeavouring to ensure: • academic-related activities (seminars; debates etc.) to promote interdisciplinary thinking and awareness of societal, environmental and other major issues amongst their students, enhancing the intellectual life and employability of students; • support for the research mission and agenda of the University; • a pleasant and conducive environment for an educational community, well maintained and supporting student activities such as sport, culture and the arts, and volunteering; • engagement and support to visiting and University staff, positively engaging the majority of university academic and senior support staff in College activities; providing residential accommodation for staff and visitors, and ensuring that College facilities are used for meetings, conferences and dining/social events. Leadership of a cohesive and distinctive educational community, comprising the JCR, MCR, SCR, staff, and alumni association, endeavouring to ensure: • the best possible pastoral care and support, accessible and available to all students; • an effective mentoring (non-academic tutorial) system which students recognise, value and use; • diversity and inclusivity in the student body, including students from different backgrounds and levels of study;
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• residential accommodation which is varied, attractive to students, fully occupied and with underlying operations clearly perceived as value for money; • communal facilities which foster a self-supportive educational community of staff and students; • thriving alumni associations linking students to their College and the University community after they have graduated; • successful fundraising for the College; • effective use of College facilities, when not required for University activities, for external income generation to support our research and educational mission. More specifically, all Heads of Colleges have the following responsibilities: 1. To play a wider leadership role as a senior member of the University, ensuring that their College is an effective and integral part of the University and plays its role in developing and implementing University strategy in education and research.
• excellence in non-academic activities for students with a focus on sport, culture and volunteering/outreach; • support for personal development, employability and skills development of our students; • effective student discipline and the responsibilities incumbent on being part of a community; • strong Junior and Middle Common Rooms, working closely with College staff to enhance student life and opportunities; • a thriving Senior Common Room with a healthy mix of university staff and external members;
• eating together as a means of creating community, as appropriate for the individual College.
2. To show leadership in creating and developing a vibrant and distinctive educational community in which students can grow and develop in confidence, academically, socially and culturally.
Active participation in fundraising, stewardship and the green development of the college premises and facilities, endeavouring to ensure:
3. To be an integral and visible part of the College community, and where accommodation is available within the College, to be a resident of that community.
• partnership working with other Colleges and professional services to ensure that collectively the Colleges Division delivers maximum value for students and the University as a whole rather than Colleges individually;
4. To lead short and long-term planning and budgeting for the College, as part of the Colleges Division, with responsibility as budget holder for the College (as delegated by the Deputy Warden), working closely and effectively with the College Council.
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Heads of Colleges Applicant Briefing
5. To lead, with support from the Development and Alumni Relations Office fundraising and the development of a strong College Alumnus community which continues support for the College/University, and where appropriate to ensure through their stewardship that College Trusts act in accordance with the University’s Financial policies for the benefit of the College community. 6. To take on specific tasks on behalf of the Colleges Division or University as a whole as requested by the Deputy Warden or Warden. 7. To take responsibility for all aspects of leading their College and its senior management team, and working effectively with professional support staff in the College, the Colleges Division and elsewhere in the University, ensuring quality support and value for money for students.
10. To work with the College student body, the Division, and the Professional Support Services to enhance the environmental sustainability of the College in the context of University “green� policies. 11. To be an effective member of the Colleges Board, developing plans and policies for the Colleges Division, working with other College Principals, and understanding and effectively communicating College, Divisional and University policy to the students in their College. 12. To encourage all University staff to engage and participate in College life. 13. To seek to ensure students living out of College are integral members of the College educational community. 14. To support the research mission and agenda of the University through making available facilities, activities and hosting visiting researchers.
8. To take responsibility for ensuring that College decisions on the allocation of students are in accordance with University policies, and to exercise discipline over students in accordance with the regulations prescribed by the University Council, Senate, and the College.
15. To develop and sustain effective SCR, JCR and MCR communities, which, together with staff living and working in the College, contribute fully to the life of the College as an educational community.
9. To communicate effectively with the College student body, listening and responding to their issues.
16. To be responsible and accountable to the Deputy Warden for HR matters in the College, including the
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recruitment and development of College staff. To monitor and manage the performance of all staff based in, or otherwise working in, the College so that they are able to contribute fully to the life and work of the College. 17. To promote the interests of the College and University, internationally, nationally and locally. 18. To work with Professional Services to bring in academic and commercial activities to the University, ensuring that as far as practicable the Durham Colleges collectively are effectively utilised when not required for College/ University academic activities. 19. To implement the University's health and safety management systems within the College to ensure effective and appropriate health and safety arrangements with regard to employees, students and other individuals whilst on College premises. 20. To maintain an appropriate research profile and produce research/ educational outputs of a quality and quantity commensurate with expectations of Durham University. 21. To be an effective ex officio member of University Senate.
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Person Specification Candidates must have a record of successful performance in a senior academic role as well as an international reputation in University research and teaching To enable a Head of a College to continue to develop his/her academic interests it is expected that he/she will play a significant role in an appropriate University department, with time shared equally between department and the College. They are normally expected to undertake research at an appropriately high level (RAE/REF equivalent of 3* and 4* outputs). The qualities, experience and skills for the post need to be demonstrated in the context of the background and role description above. The academic leadership ability to meet the challenges and expectations of the role is particularly important.
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Heads of Colleges Applicant Briefing
Skills and Experience (E = Essential D = Desirable) • A first-class record of achievement in research. Candidates may come from any discipline and must have an appropriate research record for appointment at Professorial level at Durham. (E) • Proven qualities of leadership within an academic environment. (E) • Ability to think imaginatively and strategically. Enthusiasm for seeking innovative solutions and a track record of implementing them. (E) • Sound and independent judgement and experience of working as a team with other senior colleagues. (E) • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills. The ability to relate to current and former students and staff at all levels. (E) • A demonstrable ability to build successful internal and external relationships, and to motivate and command the respect of academic communities, students and other stakeholders. (E) • Experience of fundraising and development. (D)
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Personal Characteristics • Strong leadership skills: the ability to motivate others and develop trust and respect. (E) • Strong intellectual resources, high level analytical skills and the ability to take the broad view. (E) • A team player, able to operate in both leadership and supporting roles as appropriate. (E) • The ability and willingness to maintain focus, take decisions, and to deliver. (E) • Sound judgement and practical problem solving skills. (E) • Strong managerial and influencing skills. (E) • High levels of personal motivation and resilience. Diplomacy and tact. (E) • An assured, persuasive and confident communicator with the presence and credibility for leading the College and playing an effective corporate role. (E) • A commitment to the University’s values, aims and objectives and an enthusiasm for all that it is seeking to achieve. (E) • A commitment to the development of the Durham model of collegiate life and its academic ethos. (E) • An awareness of the importance and the effect of value for money for students in the life of the College. (D)
It is expected that: (a) In keeping with a Head of a College's ex-officio membership of Senate, he/she will engage in academic work in an academic Department or school of the University in a manner satisfactory to the Head of Department concerned and to an extent to be agreed in advance of the appointment and reflected in the apportionment of salary costs. (b) The Head of a College will reside in the designated College accommodation, where available, which is provided free of rent. The Head of the College will however be responsible for Council Tax and the full costs of heating, lighting and power, telephone, internal decoration, internal fittings and furnishings, cleaning and any other services provided by the College.
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Grey College The College Grey College was founded in 1959 and named after the Second Earl Grey who was Prime Minister in 1832 when the University of Durham was founded. It is one of the most popular Colleges with applicants to the University and admits both men and women studying all disciplines on offer at Durham University. Situated on a pleasant wooded hillside, with fine views of the historic centre of Durham, the College is close to the Science Laboratories and the University Library, within short walking distance of the Botanic Gardens and surrounding countryside. Grey currently has a membership of 789 undergraduate and 53 graduate students, from the UK and countries around the world, as well as Tutors, Fellows, Honorary Fellows and visiting Academics. In the Michaelmas Term 2010, the College admitted 260 students. At Durham, teaching is provided by academic Departments, whilst Colleges provide academic and pastoral care and provide a wide range of opportunities as part of the College community for personal development, gaining leadership, entrepreneurial and other skills through excellence in activities such as sport, the arts and volunteering. The Grey College Website may be visited at: www.durham.ac.uk/grey.college Grey College places a very high value on the ideals of academic commitment and excellence; and encourages all members of its community of scholars to develop their full personal potential. Grey is noted for: the creativity and breadth of interests of its members; their tolerance and friendliness; and their desire to contribute to the wider life of the College, the University and beyond. Last year the College took third place in the Degree League Tables and was Second in the Sports League Tables. Grey is a pleasant mix of the formal and informal (with a tradition of formal dinners, gowns and Latin graces) but is recognised across the University for the co-operation and friendliness of all sections of its community. A distinctive feature of the College is the contribution that it makes to the University research Agenda, through: its Fellowships programme see: www.durham.ac.uk/grey.college/fellowships and also www.greyscr.co.uk/grey-college-former-fellows its encouragement of Graduate Students; and through the use of its facilities for seminars, meetings and Conferences. Two of the University’s Research Institutes (the Biophysical Science and Fundamental Particle Phenomenology Institutes) sprang from informal meetings held at Grey. The continuing expansion of its Fellowships programme, with funds raised through the Trust, represents one of the longer-term objectives of the College. The College has just celebrated its fiftieth anniversary. As a result of the Jubilee Appeal, the College Trust has raised sufficient funds to begin work on the extension of the College Library and the Junior Common Room. Plans are now being prepared for the second phase of the Jubilee project, which will involve refurbishment and www.durham.ac.uk 9
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Heads of Colleges Applicant Briefing
extension of Fountains Hall, to provide a new Arts Centre, and the redevelopment of a small quadrangle, to provide four flats for visiting Fellows at Research Institutes and a re-designed student services complex. Structure and Management The College is led and managed by a small team, consisting of: the Master (Head of the College), the Senior Tutor, Assistant Senior Tutor and the Bursar. The Master takes overall responsibility for the life of the College as an educational community, reporting to the Deputy Warden and other University Officers as necessary. The College Council which includes internal and external members as well as student representatives, provides advice to the Master on planning and strategy, to review the activities of Grey within the wider context of the Colleges Division and the University. College members belong to the Senior Common Room (SCR), Middle Common Room (MCR) and the Junior Common Room (JCR). Every undergraduate is eligible to be a member of the JCR, which offers a wide range of student facilities and runs in association with the College a highly successful Bar, managed by an elected Bar Steward. The JCR has a Sabbatical President and other elected Officers, all of whom meet the College Officers regularly. The MCR has a growing membership and offers a pleasant environment for graduate students to socialise and network. The SCR includes the College Officers, the College Tutors, and a large number of University staff and members of the local community. The SCR provides a range of talks, lectures and visits and also welcomes visiting Fellows and others at dinners, lunches and social events. Finances, Buildings and Facilities The financial affairs of the College are the responsibility of the Master, working to the budget holder for the Colleges
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Division, the Deputy Warden. The Bursar takes a day-to-day charge of finance and operations. The College budget for the year 2009-2010 was ÂŁ2.6m of income budget, ÂŁ1m of expenditure budget and ÂŁ0.8m non staff costs. The College is a major centre for academic related conferences, both day conferences in term time and residential conferences in vacations.
As a community the College aims to provide a supportive and stimulating learning environment.
Academic Support As a community the College aims to provide a supportive and stimulating learning environment. In practice, this is delivered by the Senior Tutor and the Assistant Senior Tutor, together with College Tutors. Some Tutors are University staff and all play an important role, both individually and as a body. Every new member of the College is assigned a College Tutor who provides welfare support, academic monitoring and personal encouragement.
Every new member is assigned a College Tutor who provides welfare support, academic monitoring and personal encouragement.
College Officers, Tutors, The Chaplain and College staff work closely with University Departments in pastoral care for individual members of the College. There is a well-stocked library run by a part-time librarian with student assistance. The library will, it is planned, be doubled in size at the end of the 2010/11 session with funds raised by the College Trust. The College has three computer rooms with PCs connected with the University IT network and open 24 hours. All student rooms in College are networked to the University computer system. The College administers Hardship Funds on behalf of the University, with the Chaplain as the appointed Hardship Officer, and also has its own resources (through the Trust) to alleviate student hardship and support student special projects and travel. The College offers several Fellowships each year, details of which may be found at: www.durham.ac.uk/grey.college
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Student Admissions Applicants to Durham may state a preference of College in their application forms and Grey is one of the most popular colleges. Durham no longer (normally) interviews applicants but, nevertheless, welcomes many potential students on University open days. These visits are important in helping the candidates to make informed choices, and in practice, few candidates, other than those from overseas, come to Durham without having stayed in the College and met students and College Officers. Probably as a consequence, dropout is one of the lowest of any UK University. The Grey College Association There are some 6,000 former Grey students, most of whom belong to the Grey College Association. The Association meets at least twice a year, once at the Annual Reunion at the College (usually in March/April) and once in London (usually in September). The Association takes an active interest, and is fully involved in the life of the College supporting it with fund raising and financial awards. The Association has also started an important initiative, the Business Angels Scheme, that assists students in deciding which career to enter after graduation, and how best to present themselves to potential employers.
(e.g. provision of sports equipment), it also has a major, permanent collection of art, which is hung and displayed around the College. The Trust has recently raised well over £200,000 for the first phase of the Jubilee Development Project. The Trust has a coherent Business Plan for future fundraising, capital works and the expansion of the Fellowships programme. Fountains Hall & Chapel Fountains Hall is the College Hall used for a variety of purposes. The College drama group ‘Fountains’ Theatre Company’ put on productions at least once a term. The Chapel is situated in Fountains Hall and is open for prayer, meditation and reflection every day. The College has a Chaplain, and is a licensed place of Anglican Worship (the current Master is the Ordinary of the Chapel), but is open to all members of the College, irrespective of faith tradition (or of none). Services are held in the Chapel every week during Term and the Chaplain is available for consultation and counselling. The Chapel also contains a grand piano available for practice and concerts. The Chapel also contains a number of important works of art.
Friends of Grey College The Friends of Grey College works in association with the Grey College Association and is an independent charity set up to support all aspects of College life.More details may be found at: www.durham.ac.uk/grey.college/friends
The Arts in Grey College The College has a thriving arts scene. The permanent Art Collection (owned by the Trust) includes work by John Piper, Cecil Collins, Sir Robin Darwin, Theodore Major, Margaret Shaw, Thetis Blacker, Terence Bennett, Karen Kulyk and many others. The collection is on public display and for the benefit of all members of College and visitors. It may also be viewed by the public by appointment.
The Grey College Trust The Grey College Trust is a charity founded to support the College. As well as granting awards (for student hardship and self-development activities), and funding some aspects of College needs
In addition, there are normally three Art Exhibitions each year, often featuring young artists. There is an active Student Arts Committee, organising a variety of events, including an Arts Week with an annual graphic art competition.
The Junior Common Room The Junior Common Room (JCR) is both the name of the undergraduate student body within the College and the communal recreational area. The JCR is a self-governing body with an elected Executive Committee, headed by a Sabbatical President. Every undergraduate is eligible for membership to the JCR. The executive body ensures that key services and facilities are maintained and provided to all its members; including social events, welfare support, a highly popular bar, gym, successful sports clubs and thriving societies. The depth of social events is shown through fortnightly Formal Dinners, regular bops, two main balls, plays, recitals and many other events throughout the year. There is also a large amount of interaction with the Senior Common Room and Middle Common Room to ensure a fantastic college atmosphere.The Grey College JCR Website may be visited at: www.durham.ac.uk/grey.jcr Sporting Life The College offers many sporting activities and facilities, including rugby, football, hockey and netball. There is also a boathouse, tennis courts and multi-gym. The College has a high level of participation in sport, with teams enjoying considerable success, both amongst men and women.
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Heads of Colleges Applicant Briefing
Ustinov College The College Ustinov College was founded in 1965 as the Graduate Society, Durham’s forward-thinking response to the growing perception in the UK of the need for increased support for postgraduate students (St Cross College in Oxford and University College, later Wolfson, in Cambridge were founded in the same year). For the next forty years the Graduate Society provided non-academic, academic-related and pastoral support for its largely international membership from its home on Old Elvet, and managed a range of accommodation in houses around the city and its environs. The Graduate Society was renamed Ustinov College in 2003 in honour of Sir Peter Ustinov then Chancellor of the University, who was able to attend the official renaming of the College. In 2005/06 the hitherto scattered student accommodation, social space and College administration were consolidated on one main site with 589 single rooms, at Howlands Farm to the south of the city, with a further 48 single rooms and 70 family flats in two new buildings leased by the University from Three Rivers Housing Group on Dryburn Road, near the University Hospital. The College will celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of its foundation as the Graduate Society in 2015 (and its tenth anniversary as a College in 2013). A History of the Graduate Society to 2003, written by a former Graduate Society Principal with an afterword by the current Principal on the developments of the College over the past six years, is virtually complete and is planned to be published in the summer of 2011. Ustinov is a self-catered college, with 589 single units of accommodation at Howlands, much of it ensuite, grouped in flats of five or six rooms with a shared kitchen. All student rooms are networked to the University computer system. Because of the year-round nature of postgraduate studies the College has no regular conference trade although it does accommodate visiting postgraduates and others on an ad-hoc basis. Its annual turnover is in the order of £3.4 million. About onethird of the total student body lives in College accommodation, with the remaining two-thirds in private accommodation in Durham and the surrounding villages. College Life Ustinov’s main college building, Fisher House, contains a striking wi-fi enabled social area that includes bar, café, pool/games room, and GCR room and office as well as the College offices. The College shares further facilities with Josephine Butler College – an events hall, meetings rooms, gym, and laundry located in the adjacent Howlands Building, which also contains a small shop. College dinners for up to 250 (Tutor dinners, GCR Formals) are held in the Howlands Building three to four times a term: at the moment these are provided by an external caterer but plans are being pursued to source them from within the University.
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With around 1800 postgraduate members from more than 90 different countries, Ustinov is probably the largest collegiate postgraduate community of its kind in the UK and has developed a distinctive character in the Durham landscape, providing uniquely tailored college support for over half of the University’s full-time postgraduate population and more than two-thirds of its international postgraduate population. Diversity, internationalisation and interdisciplinarity are for the College not so much strategic aims as facts of life, reflected in a rich culture of social, cultural and academic events and more informal interactions, as well as in the College motto adopted in 2006, Diversitate Valemus. The Ustinov Intercultural Forum (UIF) holds events throughout the year to promote cultural awareness and interaction. Interdisciplinary academic exchange and discussion among postgraduate researchers are furthered by the highly successful Saturday morning Ustinov Seminar series, which maintains close links with Durham’s Institute of Advanced Study and celebrates its fifth anniversary in March 2011 – an archive of all past seminar programmes is at www.durham.ac.uk/ustinov.college in the College Life section. There is also a suite of regular evening café discussion events such as Cafés Scientifique and Politique.
The College’s policy has been one of active encouragement of studentorganised initiatives, harnessing the energies which spring directly from the interests, the expertise and the passions of students brought together in this case from all over the world at this crucial stage in their career, and providing a base on which they can build for the personal, presentational, organisational and networking challenges of their future careers. Arts and literary activities flourish, and the College has one of the few un-auditioned College choirs in Durham. Since many postgraduates are in Durham for just one year, the College is continually refreshed, and alongside key college initiatives which are now embedded as permanent features of college life there are others of shorter duration. The College Officers and staff provide continuity and support to a fast changing membership in maintaining the quality and momentum of the Ustinov postgraduate experience. Because of its critical mass within the Durham postgraduate community Ustinov sees it as an important part of its function to be a resource for all Durham postgraduate students, and virtually all of its activities – e.g. the Ustinov Seminar, café activities, GCR events, and the postgraduate welcome event run in conjunction with the International Office are actively promoted as being open to all.
Ustinov’s function as a postgraduate College The mission of Ustinov College is to support Durham University and its postgraduate students through the provision of high quality student services, student support, and accommodation, and to foster the social and intellectual opportunities appropriate for an academically and culturally diverse collegiate postgraduate community. Key to the success of this mission are the following objectives: • to provide an excellent standard of services, including accommodation services, to its members throughout the 52-week postgraduate year • to facilitate entry to, pursuit and completion of the postgraduate courses followed in Durham University by its members through an efficient and proactive student support system which builds upon a high level of expertise in postgraduate issues • within the context of a common core of collegiate support functions, to be cognisant of the diverse needs e.g. of PGT, PGR, part-time and international students, and students with families • to work with the College’s Division and central University offices (e.g. the Admissions Office and the International Office) to enhance Durham’s postgraduate provision and the postgraduate experience across the board • to deploy accommodation bursaries as appropriate to enable academically excellent students to pursue their postgraduate studies at Durham, and to secure a significant contribution from award-holders to the life and development of the College • working closely with an effective GCR, to develop in a way appropriate to its diverse membership a strong sense of College identity and community in order to promote a sense of ownership and involvement, and to provide a focus for social, sporting, cultural and intellectual activities
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Heads of Colleges Applicant Briefing
• building on the excellent academic reputation of Durham University departments, to help to raise the profile of Durham nationally and internationally as a vibrant and supportive place to pursue postgraduate studies • to build up and maintain strong links with Graduate Society and Ustinov College alumni, both locally and internationally • to develop the facilities offered to its members and other postgraduates and researchers in Durham through active participation alongside the Development and Alumni Office in fund-raising activities. Structure and Management The College is led and managed by a small team consisting of the Principal, the Vice-Principal and Senior Tutor, the Bursar, and the Assistant Senior Tutor. The Principal has overall responsibility for the life of the College as an educational community, reporting to the Deputy Warden and other University Officers as necessary. The College Council, which includes internal and external members as well as student representatives, provides advice to the Principal on planning and strategy within the broader context of the University Strategy. The College has a close-knit and committed team of just over thirty staff including all administrative, portering and housekeeping personnel.
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The College Officers work closely over matters of postgraduate policy and practice with the Dean of the Graduate School and with the International Office as well as with other central administrative offices. The Vice-Principal and Senior Tutor is currently a member of the University Admissions Sub-Committee with a key role in the development of postgraduate admissions, and the Principal of Ustinov represents postgraduate issues from the Colleges’ perspective as an ex officio member of the University’s Education Committee. Student Support Pastoral and administrative support for students is delivered by the VicePrincipal & Senior Tutor and the Assistant Senior Tutor, together with a Student Support Officer and an admissions and accommodation membership office. A College mentor system which students may elect to join provides additional orientation and personal development support, with individual meetings supplemented by regular and very well-attended ‘Tutor dinners’ (currently, two to four per term). The student support team provide expert advice and guidance to students on the issues common to a large, diverse postgraduate and international study body, and contribute to developing good practice in this area within Durham and more widely, through attendance and presentations at workshops and conferences.
Although the College is not directly involved in external recruitment activities it plays a very important role in the highly competitive arena of postgraduate admissions in encouraging the conversion of postgraduate offers to actual registrations, and has developed a suite of excellent pre-entry publicity materials for this purpose. It is currently taking a lead in the co-ordination of postgraduate publicity and allocation processes across all Colleges. Graduate Common Room All student members of the College are eligible to be members of the Graduate Common Room (GCR) which organises an impressive range of social events in the College, from formal dinners and the summer highlights of the Ball and the GCR Barbecue to regular quiz nights or open mic nights in the bar. The GCR is run by an elected committee: because of the nature of postgraduate studies there are no sabbatical officers. The College Officers meet regularly with the GCR President and other members of the committee. Senior Common Room There is an SCR, still in the process of development, which includes a growing number of members of University staff as well as local alumni and other members of the local community as well as College mentors. The aim of the SCR is to provide dedicated social, cultural and intellectual activities for
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its members together with a range of opportunities to engage with Ustinov’s diverse and international postgraduate membership. Alumni and Development Over the past few years all those graduating from the College have been encouraged to become members of the Ustinov Association, and the development of alumni relations is a key priority. (There are about 15000 ‘active’ Ustinov and Graduate Society alumni on the University’s alumni database). An alumni newsletter, Associate, is produced once a year. The College’s fund-raising committee is now working actively in conjunction with the University’s Development and Alumni Relations Office, and a College Trust is likely to be established over the next few months.
Communications and Publicity An excellent sense of the College’s activities, as well as the interests of its members, can be gained from its wellestablished magazine, The Ustinovian, of which current and past issues are available at www.durham.ac.uk/ustinov.college There is also a ‘virtual tour’ from a few years ago but still vividly capturing what students have seen as the College’s essence at www.durham.ac.uk/tour/colleges/ustinov
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Heads of Colleges Applicant Briefing
St Cuthbert’s Society The College St Cuthbert’s Society is a scholarly community. Our values are about fairness and equality of opportunity. As a college of Durham University, St Cuthbert's Society offers an unrivalled student experience steeped in history and tradition but very much forward looking. In 1888, following University approval, St Cuthbert's Society was set up as a non-residential college, and in order to distinguish itself from residential colleges it was given the title "Society". A member of University staff was appointed to oversee the running of the Society, referred to as a Censor, and the students were mature and traditionally from the local area who tended to have family responsibilities. The Society, effectively a Junior Common Room for nonresident students, lasted until 1941, when it was disbanded due to the War. In 1946, the St Cuthbert's Society was "re-founded" and the University appointed its first college Principal, a member of academic staff, to lead and manage St Cuthbert’s Society. In 1951, St Cuthbert's Society acquired residential accommodation in line with developments across the Durham colleges. After a period of time housing students in various rented and University properties spread throughout the City, the college took possession of the Parsons Field site, formerly part of the Graduate Society, that offered selfcatered accommodation blocks. This coincided with the opening of a new property on the site in 2006, Brooks House, which offers modern, en-suite study bedrooms with self-catering kitchen facilities, a bar and other common rooms serving the whole Parson’s Field site. Structure and management The Principal, who reports to the Deputy Warden, provides leadership and management of the college with the assistance of the College officers; Senior Tutor and Bursar. The College community consists of the student body, SCR and staff. The wider community includes former students through our Alumni Association and a community of Fellows under the auspices of the SCR. There is a College Council which has an advisory role to the Principal on the strategic direction of the college. The council is normally chaired by a member of the University Council. The college officers form the Senior Management Team. The college officers work closely with the JCR President and SCR President. Buildings and facilities Today, the College’s full-time student population is around 1250 and 12% of those are postgraduate. Every first-year undergraduate lives in, with the exception of a relatively small number of local students who wish to live at home. Second and final year undergraduates are encouraged to return to live in residence, and there are a limited number of residential places reserved for postgraduate students.
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St Cuthbert’s Society is unique within the University in terms of the flexibility it can provide in its catering provision. This allows students to opt for a selfcatered, fully-catered or part-catered package. The college’s communal facilities are split across both sites but the main facilities, including its dining hall and the administrative centre of the College are just inside the old city walls, on South Bailey. The main bar and library are also there, and are added to by a boathouse, gym, a Junior Common Room and Café-bar all linked to the newer residences at Parsons Field. St Cuthbert’s has a substantial sporting tradition, and is also committed to music and the arts, offering a diverse and growing range of clubs and societies.
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Heads of Colleges Applicant Briefing
Student Organisation As with all colleges, St Cuthbert’s has a Junior Common Room, a representative body for its undergraduate and, in St Cuthbert’s case, also its postgraduate students. The JCR, and its Executive, represent student views at all levels of the college (including sitting as ex-officio members on the College Council), support and fund student clubs and societies and organise social events within the college. Senior Common Room The Senior Common Room takes its membership from the University staff and notable members of the local community. The SCR will have regular social events in College, helping to provide maturity and diversity within the college community. SCR members will often act as College mentors (aka college tutors in other colleges) to first year undergraduate students and, in most Colleges, can engage in fund-raising activities to help support particular students and/or initiatives which would not be possible otherwise. In addition to the SCR, St Cuthbert’s has a group of Fellows, to whose membership distinguished supporters of the college are invited. The Fellows have social events and the college can offer accommodation to one visiting fellow of the University annually. Alumni There is an Alumni Association which meets annually at St Cuthbert’s Society. The Alumni Association also hold college related events in London. Finances The budget holder is the Deputy Warden the delegated budget holder is the Principal. The income and expenditure for the College during the
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financial year 2009/10 was £2.2m and £1.5m respectively with expenditure being split into £895K staffing cost and £588K non-staffing. Delegation of Authority The Principal delegates authority for certain aspects of running the college to his fellow College Officers. The Senior Tutor has delegated responsibility for admissions, student welfare, discipline and deputising for the Principal with the Bursar responsible for facilities, finance, catering, housekeeping and health and safety. Student Admissions It is anticipated that all those applying to St Cuthbert’s Society will wish to work hard in their academic studies as part of a scholarly community. Given the traditions of St Cuthbert’s Society having been set up as a society by those not wishing to be part of the then existing Durham Colleges in combination with the re-founding of St Cuthbert’s Society by war veterans there remains an emphasis on meeting the needs of those from a range of backgrounds.
Today, the College’s full-time student population is around 1250 and 12% of those are postgraduate. Most first-year undergraduates live in. Second and final year undergraduates are encouraged to live in residence and there are a limited number of places reserved for postgraduate students.
In particular we tend to have more mature and local students at the college. We particularly welcome applications from those from socially disadvantaged backgrounds and have a strong commitment to supporting those entering Durham University through the foundation programme route. We have a vibrant postgraduate community which we are still building. College support Support is provided through the College officers and mentors. The JCR play an active role in the welcoming of new students, representing the student body and the organisation of events. All at the College are committed to giving our students the very best that we can.
For more detail on the college please see the college website: www.durham.ac.uk/st-cuthberts.society
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Durham University The University Established in 1832, Durham is England’s third oldest University, with an international reputation for research and scholarship of the highest distinction but, additionally, providing a truly excellent and rounded undergraduate education. Much of this is achieved through our distinctive residential College communities. The University is organised into three academic faculties: Arts and Humanities, Social Sciences and Health, and Science; with 24 departments or schools split over a twin site campus. We have an unrivalled setting for our community, with our historic estate in the heart of Durham’s cathedral city, where we share the world heritage site, and the modern purpose-built Queen’s Campus at Stockton in the Tees Valley. The Queen’s Campus opened in 1992 in purpose-built accommodation of very high quality as a key component in the region’s economic development strategy, and with the aim of making the resources of Durham University more widely available. With over 16,000 students, of whom 4,500 are postgraduates and 2,500 international, more than 3000 staff and a turnover of £190m, Durham is a University of considerable standing. Competition for undergraduate entry is keen, with up to 20 applicants per place in some subjects and entry standards are high (average 28 A-level points). Durham has one of the highest student completion rates in the UK at 95.1%. Durham University is distinctive - a Collegiate University with ancient traditions and modern values. We seek to achieve the highest distinction in research and scholarship which make a real difference to societies world-wide. We are equally committed to excellence in all aspects of learning, education and the transmission of knowledge. Colleges Our 16 Colleges, in conjunction with the excellent teaching and learning provided by academic departments, ensure Durham offers a rich and distinctive student experience. Colleges are residential communities of undergraduates, postgraduates and staff and are responsible for the general welfare and progress of students through an excellent system of pastoral support. Each college is a vibrant community and offers a range of development opportunities from sport to drama and community volunteering. The University’s oldest College, Durham castle, dates from 1072 and its newest College, Josephine Butler was completed in 2006. The student experience at Durham is enriched by our distinctive College system, which complements the academic programmes of our departments and greatly contributes to the personal development of our students. The colleges are much more than simply residential accommodation. They create a cohesive community for our students, with opportunities to mix with peers from across subject disciplines and to
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Heads of Colleges Applicant Briefing
participate in a range of activities, including sport, music, theatre, and community service. Achievements Research, creativity and scholarship are at the heart of Durham University. We have been a centre of scholarship for over 1000 years where generations of the world’s finest minds have pursued ideas and knowledge that have made a profound and lasting impact on the world. Research leads the content and development of our teaching at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, and creates new cross-disciplinary programmes through our centres and institutes. We are: • A world top 100 University, ranking 85th in the 2010 THE World Ranking and 92nd in the 2010 QS World Ranking • In the top 25 globally for Graduate Employability (QS world ranking 2010) • 4th in the 2010-11 Complete University Guide including: - Top five subjects in: archaeology; chemistry, classics and ancient history; English; French; general engineering; German; history; Iberian languages; medicine; Middle Eastern and African studies; physics and astronomy; philosophy; Russian and East European languages; sociology; sports science; and theology and religious studies. - Top ten subjects in: anthropology; biological sciences; economics; education; geography; geology (earth sciences); Italian; law; mathematics; music; politics; and psychology. • 6th in the 2010-11 Times Good University Guide - Top five subjects in: archaeology; chemistry; classics and ancient history; education; English; French; general engineering; geography; German; history; Iberian languages;
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Italian; Middle Eastern and African studies; physics and astronomy; Russian; sports science; and theology and religious studies. - Top ten subjects in: anthropology; civil engineering; economics, geology (earth sciences); law; mathematics; philosophy; psychology; and sociology. • In the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) 90% of all research graded 2* or above, 59% graded 3* or above, making Durham the most research intensive institution of the 1994 Group of Universities. • 6th in the 2009/10 BUSA championship - confirming Durham as a centre of sporting excellence. We also had 25 students representing their country at Under 20 Level and beyond and this figure rises on an annual basis. Research Durham University research ranks among the best in the United Kingdom. In the last national review of research quality across all subjects – the Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) - six of our departments achieved the highest possible grade of 5** – Applied Mathematics, Chemistry, English, Geography, History and Law. The University is building upon this strong research foundation. We aim for RAE quality profiles which demonstrate significant international research excellence in all academic subject areas. Education We are constantly working to improve the quality of the educational experience for our students. The 2009 institutional audit undertaken by the QAA was very successful and commended the procedures Durham has in place for quality assurance of the education we provide, especially “the University’s comprehensive approach to defining and developing research-led
teaching’’ and “the deliberate coordination of academic and pastoral support for students’’ and the work of the Teaching and Learning Committee as an engine of change in promoting a proactive and reflective culture in its work. The University’s approach in this area is underpinned by an Education Strategy 2010 to 2015 which was endorsed by Senate in 2010. The strategy identifies four key themes for development: research-led education, student experience, employability and skills and internationalisation. The strategy is being delivered through the implementation of the comprehensive action plan which supports the strategy. Further details can be found at: www.durham.ac.uk/learningandteaching.handbook/7
We aim to recruit students from all backgrounds who demonstrate the high academic ability to flourish in the Durham environment. As part of the programme we are actively working to raise the aspirations of bright and talented pupils who come from backgrounds with little or no tradition of university attendance. The Durham Grant Scheme (DGS) is one of the most generous bursary schemes for undergraduate students in the sector. Durham’s Foundation Programme, based at Queen’s Campus, provides an opportunity for people of all backgrounds to gain degree entry. International Links The University population has more than 2000 international students from 120 countries, with China, the United States, Taiwan and India particularly well represented. Overseas students now constitute 15% of the total student population by 2010. Our International Office works with academic departments to implement our international strategy. It is a top priority to monitor and improve the international student experience to
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ensure we build on this success. We were rated number 1 in the UK by international students in the latest barometer for our welcome for international students. The University has teaching and research links throughout the world, and has taken significant steps towards strengthening its international engagement through the development of working relationships with a number of leading overseas Universities. Examples include: • Duke University and the University of California in the United States • Princess Samaya University in Jordan • Fudan University and Renmin University in China • Tokyo University in Japan • The University of Qatar • Project Sri Lanka We plan to forge and maintain institutional partnerships with other top research-led Universities around the world to foster research collaboration, build our reputation, and leverage funding. In particular we aim to build purposeful global subject networks around our world leading research groups. Durham’s Vision Creating the future through internationally recognised research, scholarship and learning within a distinctive Collegiate environment. Durham’s vision is to be internationally recognised as a world class research University with the highest standards of scholarship and learning. We aim to provide a distinctive student experience for all our students, within a diverse student body.
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Heads of Colleges Applicant Briefing
Outline Terms of Employment Position:
Head of College
Location:
Durham (primary location). If appropriate, an academic department at our Queen’s Campus, Stockton, may be designated a secondary location.
Term of appointment: Full-time appointment for an initial period of up to five years, renewable for subsequent periods as appropriate on the recommendation of the Deputy Warden and a decision by the ViceChancellor and Warden as Chair of Senate. Salary:
• Competitive salary. • University residence provided. • A relocation package to contribute to the costs of relocating to Durham will be provided
Reporting to:
The Deputy-Warden of the Durham Colleges
Other Terms:
• Salary subject to review by Remuneration Committee through Vice-Chancellor’s Pay Rewards Scheme. • 30 days annual leave plus statutory holidays.
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How to Apply Contacts for informal enquiries: Professor Chris Higgins Vice-Chancellor and Warden of the Durham Colleges +44 (0)191 3346212 chris.higgins@durham.ac.uk
Closing Date for application: 11 April 2011 Professor Graham Towl Deputy Warden and Professor of Psychology +44 (0)191 3340113/3343404 graham.towl@durham.ac.uk
We prefer to receive applications on-line. If you wish to apply for this post, please respond by submitting a CV and covering letter plus any other supporting material. Within your covering letter please outline your thoughts and vision of leading an educational community within the context of the University strategy.
Formal interviews w/c 16 May 2011 Further details of the posts and the Colleges are available on our website www.durham.ac.uk/jobs or Tel: 0191 334 6499; fax: 0191 334 6504
To apply online, please visit www.durham.ac.uk/jobs We can post a vacancy details pack (including application form) to you, if you telephone our answering service on 0191 3346499 or e-mail recruitment.team@durham.ac.uk Please note that it is absolutely essential that in your application you give evidence or examples of your proven experience in most of the appointment criteria listed in the Person Specification (earlier in this document). When you apply online you will be offered the opportunity to complete an equal opportunities monitoring form. This will help us to follow the recommendations of the Equal Opportunities Commission and the Commission for Racial Equality that employers should monitor selection decisions to assess whether equality of opportunity is being achieved. The information on the form will be treated as confidential and used for statistical purposes. The form will not be treated as part of your application. In your application you should give names, positions, organisations and telephone contact numbers of three referees, one of who should ideally be your current/most recent employer. If you specifically do not wish referees to be approached without your prior permission, then you should clearly indicate this fact. We also ask for you to make clear in your application which college(s) you wish to be considered for. There is the potential that a number of Principal positions will be available over the coming months and applications from this recruitment process will be considered. Finally, please ensure that you have included both work and home telephone contact numbers along with email address where appropriate, as well as any dates when you will not be available.
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