General Assembly is a forum open to all staff which is led by the Vice-Chancellor and runs on a termly basis. Its objectives are to provide clarity on the University’s purpose and everyone’s role in supporting this, and to improve engagement across the University by serving as a place to listen, exchange ideas and ask questions. 

Last week, Professor Nick Jennings presented attendees with information about the following: 

• Updates on the progress of the University six Core Plans and Enabling Projects linked to its strategy, Creating Better Futures Together 

• Recent appointments to the University, including roles within the Senior Leadership Team and new Strategic Theme Ambassadors  

• An update on the current position for a partnership with KSA, as well as a reflection on lessons learned so far 

• Information about the University’s financial situation, including the impact of recently announced changes to tuition fees and Loughborough’s Cost Reduction Scheme 

• Recent successes to celebrate, including the Vice-Chancellor’s Awards, retaining a Top 10 position in the Guardian League Table, and Loughborough-linked athletes securing 35 medals at the Paris Games this summer 

• A reminder about the Staff Experience Survey, which remains open until Sunday 15 December.  

Professor Sam Grogan, who joined the University earlier this month as the Pro Vice-Chancellor for Education and Student Experience, also introduced himself to guests and explained why he wanted to work at Loughborough and his priorities for the coming months ahead.  

The event then moved to a Q&A session, where colleagues were able to ask the Vice-Chancellor and other members of the Senior Leadership team questions (both in the room and online). 

The themes of questions asked included: 

• The accessibility considerations that have been made for operational staff to take part in the Staff Experience Survey  

• Financial queries related to the backfilling of vacant roles as a result of the Cost Reduction Scheme; the impact of recruitment figures and budgets for projects associated with SPARC; and future opportunities to support a sustainable long-term financial plan 

• Management training for new and existing managers 

• The University’s stance on the Palestine/Israel conflict  

• Proposed changes to the Academic year calendar 

• How we’re reducing our carbon footprint through our food offering 

• The different milestones recognised through the Long Service Awards 

• An update about the progress of the Race Equality Charter 

For those who weren’t able to attend, a recording of the event is available to watch.  

The next General Assembly will take place Wednesday 5 March 2025.