Following the recent announcement to defer closure of the bars at Walton Hall until 1st October, meetings were held between Estates and representatives from the PGSS and the OU Club on 11th August.
Suggestions to improve usage of the bars were discussed, and some proposals will be implemented on a trial basis during September. These include an earlier evening opening time of 5pm from 5th September and extended opening until 10pm on Friday evenings from 2nd September. Later opening for sporting events will be trialled initially on Thursday 25th September when the Pavilion bar will remain open until 9pm to coincide with the last cricket match of the season.
A summary of the meetings can be found below.
Heads of Unit have been asked to nominate representatives to attend a meeting with Estates on 6th September to discuss feedback from staff in their areas. We will be writing to nominees with some pointers for discussion within the next week.
Suggestions from staff and the impact of any initiatives trialled will be consolidated and presented to senior university management.
Please contribute your input on this issue either through the OU Club, PGSS or your local unit representative. Comments and feedback can also be sent direct to Anne Sharkey, Cleaning & Catering Services Manager, at a.sharkey@open.ac.uk
Mary Legge
Head of Operations
Estates
The Open University
Walton Hall
Milton Keynes
MK7 6AA
Tel: 01908-654197
mailto:m.t.legge@open.ac.uk
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Further to the Estate’s Committee recent decision to cut-back on campus catering facilities the OU Club would like to issue the following statement:
The Club understands that we are living in a different world to when this issue was last debated and are fully committed to the ‘fit for future’ initiative. However, the Club are concerned that these and any further cuts to staff facilities would dent staff morale even deeper and we seek reassurance from the VCE.
The OU Club committee would like to communicate their unease at the lack of consultation with staff and students over the closure of the bars and the cuts in other catering facilities. We would also like to request that detailed information about running costs should be made public.
The OU Club chairperson has requested a meeting between representatives of interested parties (i.e. PGSS, affiliated clubs etc) and relevant members of Estates to discuss the situation. The Club Chairperson has offered to chair the meeting and act as an intermediary.
