Just the kind of thing...

4.8 Public Comment on University Policy and Administration
4.8.1 'Public comment' in this context includes public speaking engagements, comments on radio and television, letters to newspapers, and expressing views in books, journals or notices. All media requests for information and enquiries that relate to the University must be referred to the University's Press Office.

This section doesn't mention what might be called Web 2.0 channels (which surprises me) but what does the last sentence mean? If The Guardian (or whoever ) seeks my opinion on working at NTU or a policy of NTU do I have to check with the Press Office? Surely not but it is not clear and HR are suggesting this is all part of our legal contract of employment.

RIP David Bayliss

Today was the funeral of a long standing colleague called David Bayliss.

Dave was one of those colleagues who was always really helpful, often funny and good to spend time with.

There was a UCU branch meeting earlier this week (Wednesday) where a minute's silence was held for him.

I trust that UNISON did something similar if they were meeting and that the university publication (Grapevine) will carry an article on a long serving and popular colleague.

UCU?

Today I learnt that Sally Hunt has won the election for top job at UCU (the trade union of university lecturers) which is bitterly disappointing.

If half the reports I have read about the tactical ill-preparedness of her former union (thus herself and colleagues) in the recent national pay dispute are true then we are all screwed. Perhaps I could encourage colleagues from history, military studies, politics etc, to donote some texts on the tactics of conflict to Sally?

Oh the joys of democracy. Whatever we are now paying her it is too much (to bear).