Academic Staff Common Room
Committee Report 2011-12
The main role of the ASCR committee is to provide appropriate facilities for our 2000 members in
rooms that are clean, pleasantly decorated, comfortably furnished and leave a good impression of UCL
on our guests. We purchase a wide range of newspapers and journals and offer a relatively cheap hot
beverage service. Our Beer Committee chooses the two real ales on a monthly basis. And we organise
social events on average once a term. The hot and cold food and bar service is not the direct
responsibility of ASCR; however, we work closely with Chartwells (UCL’s main catering contractor)
through fortnightly management meetings at which we are able to comment on any aspect of their
service provision. Chartwell’s contract with UCL expires in the next year and the committee will have a
voice in deciding any new arrangement affecting the Housman Room.
For the second time in four years, ASCR activities were temporarily relocated from the Housman Room
during the summer vacation. Responding to a suggestion from the UCL Development Office the
committee decided to make the Housman Room available to the World Olympians Association during
the 2012 London Olympics. For that period, the Housman Room was equipped with TV screens for use
by the many stars of past Olympics who make up WOA membership, while ASCR activities moved to
the Garden Room in the South Junction. Thanks to Jane’s careful planning and networking, the moves
went smoothly, and return to the Housman Room was marked by a strawberries and cream social event.
The 15th Haldane Event, presented by Rob Eagle last December, was entitled “UCL: seven decades on
film”. This was a fascinating evening attracting over 70 members and guests; Rob’s choice of material
was greatly appreciated. The Wine Tasting in March was another sell-out (with waiting list) and was
much enjoyed by all present: a similar event is planned for the New Year. The next ASCR social event,
on Wednesday 12th December, is a break in tradition in that it takes place in the morning – actually a
Coffee Morning with seasonal cakes and pies. Details will be circulated to all members very soon.
For nearly six years now, Jane Spender has managed the common room in her calm, authoritatively
reassuring and friendly way. She has supported the committee, organised events, offered advice on
furnishings and redecoration, and taken on many roles previous shouldered by committee members. So
we were all very sorry when she informed us that she intended to retire this year. It is almost unthinkable
that she won’t be at her desk behind the piano, working away on her laptop but ready to answer
members’ queries and not averse to a quick chat. But things move on: with Jane’s help an appointments
panel drew up a job specification for a revised 0.6 FTE post, advertised for a new manager, shortlisted
and interviewed a strong field of applicants, and offered the job to Helen Skundric (late of Kings
College). Many of you may already have met Helen; she took up post in mid-October, has been
working alongside Jane since then, and formally takes over as ASCR Manager at the AGM.
The committee met seven times since the last AGM. Matters discussed (not mentioned above) include:
training in beer management for bar staff, purchase of new coffee machines, the quality of food,
purchase of new cups and mugs, layout of the furniture, linking backdoor access to the membership
database, UCL Masterplan, changes to the Constitution, and election of honorary members. The
committee and friends have carried out membership checks during at least one week each term. And
volunteers have provided holiday cover for the ASCR Manager, watering plants and laying out
newspapers and journals.
During the year, in acknowledgement of his significant help with computer and technical issues over a
considerable period, the committee elected Brian Watts (ISD) an Honorary Member of the ASCR.