In the first week of the Association of University Teachers national boycott of staff appraisal schemes, local union leaders at Cambridge are urging dons to vote to introduce one - if only to qualify for a full pay increase. Cambridge is one of the few universities without a staff appraisal structure in place. The CAUT argues that since appraisal was a condition of the last two-year 23 per cent pay rise, the university may withhold consolidation of 7 per cent of the rise. Indeed, Cambridge might even ask for it back.
A new academic campaign at Glasgow University argues that lectures are having a bad effect on students. Under the slogan "Keeping the Wednesday afternoon option open", Glasgow University Athletic Club is attempting to convince departments, faculties and senate that an increase in the numbers of classes during traditionally free Wednesday afternoons is affecting the standards of the university's sports teams.