E-strategy board today

Well attended meeting today with two student sabattical representatives. Emphasis on the student focus to the e-strategy developments. There had been a certain reluctantance to communicate everything that we are doing on e-strategy as there is an element of "competitive advantage", so at the moment much of e-strategy remains under password protection from external visitors. Interesting that other Universities (York was cited as an example) are very transparent and that can give a feeling of confidence about future developments. The new Web Content Management System (CMS) will enable much better communication about completed projects and those that are in progress and planned. The CMS project is in very final stage of contract negotiations, there has been a successful planning/implementation away day - next step is a major audit of who,what,where on current web content. Genius colleagues in IT Technical Services have come up with a way of virtualising the service saving the planet and minimising capital investment. E-strategy today confirmed that it had completed its investment in SAINT staffing to meet forward student admin system developments and there would be no further pump priming/drip feeding. You heard it here first. Summary of Deans and Associate Deans feedback on the priorities for the next tranche of funding (several £millions) and a landmark moment as one of the main projects relating to Project A was finally approved (Developing the Learning Environment which increases people supporting the Virtual Learning Environment). An extra AOB on the need for a HD projector upgrade in the Great Hall refurbishment plan which has already committed £750k on the build and related works and it was agreed subject to one of the schools picking up any contingency and being available to students as well as commercial opportunity.