UNIVERSITY OF EXETER
DUAL ASSURANCE REPORT: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Present: Peter Lacey, Prof Neil Armstrong, Sean Fielding
Minute of meeting 6 October 2008 (incorporating discussion at the meeting of 22 July)
22 July 2008 Meeting
1.
CSR
Noted the successful outcome of the submission to the regional CSR exercise.
Now awaiting information from HEFCE on arrangements for the national process.
Agreed that this was likely to become a major performance indicator for the
sector. Agreed to set up a Task and Finish Group to take forward the University’s
submission once details were known.
2.
Website
General approach agreed with expected launch in mid-October. (Subsequently
agreed soft launch mid-November and full launch 1 Dec. Delay caused by
contracting problems with provider of web Content Management System. ) Need
to develop overall University brand once RAE result is known. This will be
reflected in website.
3.
UK Student Recruitment Strategy
The revised strategy was approved.
6 October 2008 Meeting
1.
External Affairs Strategy
The proposed Strategy, as reviewed by VCEG residential was approved. There
was discussion about the development of a new generic statement for the
University. Although it was recognised that the main communications objective
was to ensure that the University was seen as equal to top ranking Russell
Group competitors, there was still a need to develop a statement which describes
what we stand for.
In respect of the local community it was agreed that there was a need for a more
focused campaign involving briefings and presentations for key City groups and
councillors. Peter Lacey counselled against pushing too hard the message about
our overall level of investment since this can be counterproductive for certain
sections of the community.
It was also noted that a key objective should be to ensure that academics in
other universities are more aware of our successes and aspirations. This would
be tackled once the RAE results were known. There was also a need to
understand more how weaknesses in School reputation impact on the
University’s overall reputation.
Agreed that new generic brand messages would need to be developed by the
time of the Council Away day on 6 March and that a presentation would be
needed. Peter Lacey will want involvement in this exercise.
Also agreed that Peter Lacey would be involved in planning for the CSR
submissions, the stakeholder event in April, and the website.
2.
International Strategy
The background paper was welcomed and the proposed Task and Finish Groups
were approved. Peter Lacey to be kept informed via the Dual Assurance
meetings.
3.
Key performance indicators for Reputation
Agreed that a 6 monthly report on reputation would be made to VCEG utilising
the proposed indicators as amended by the DA meeting.
4.
AOB
Agreed that since there would now be 6 meetings a year, 3 would involve
standard reporting on progress and 3 would focus on special issues. Issues
requiring protected time would include: developing the communications plan in
support of the University’s investments in the City; the reputation indicators; the
replacement Court meeting.
Sean Fielding
Director Communication and Partnership