School of Life Sciences: merger plans

Group remit

"To ensure proper representation of students within the decision making progress, by facilitating SSLCs in direct discussion with the University. We will endeavor to observe how student views and interests are integrated into the Implementation process, and in addition act as a discussion forum for the affected groups of students."

Open Minutes of LSSCC meeting 1 (19th January 2010)

Open Minutes of LSSCC meeting 2 (17th February 2010)

Dear Students

Firstly I would like to thank all the Biology students who attended AGM last night, and especially those who stayed beyond the Life Sciences Resolution to make it the most successful instance of Union Democracy this University has seen in almost two decades. This level of participation makes me very proud of my department.

Please find attached the Resolution as voted for by the Annual General Meeting of Warwick Students' Union. This is the second highest power within the Union, superceded only by a whole-campus referrendum. This was proposed by myself and seconded by the President of the Union.
You have probably read the Email sent out by Professor Palmer regarding what was decided in Senate. I will inform you now that I have twice asked for a meeting with Professor Palmer, and he has not deigned to respond, my last request being around 14 hours ago. I do not believe that what he has laid out satisfies the points within our Resolution. While I do appreciate the efforts by Professor Caesar, an academic who I greatly enjoy working with, to state that we will be approached and have arrangements confirmed does not guarentee us adaquate representation.

Secondly I would like to respond to a specific statement: "Where questions have been asked we will either update through the FAQs or by letting you know at which stage in the process the information you need will become available." This is no doubt in response to many of the questions we have been asking to which there are no answers. To state that we will be told when we can find out this information is in no way acceptable, as many of the questions asked are on topics in which Students should and indeed must have a say. To accept that we will simply be informed when decisions are made for us is simply not appropriate.

To accept these assurances at face value is to surrender ourselves to further dictation of decisions, rather than the consultation we deserve. I urge you to make your views known to the interim School of Life Sciences, as I myself intend to via every channel available to me.

Yours sincerely

John Lapage
Undergraduate Science Faculty Representative

Update for Students on the Implementation of the School of Life Sciences

I thought it would be helpful if I provided a summary of the discussions that took place at yesterday's Extraordinary meeting of the Senate. As you can see below, having considered the paper from the Life Sciences Advisory Group and the feedback from the consultation, the Senate has voted to continue with the implementation of the School of Life Sciences whilst recognising the need for the broader vision for Warwick Life Sciences to be developed alongside this. The summary of the meeting is given at the end of this email.

I want to thank those of you that have contributed to discussions to date, either in writing or through the SSLC Meetings, for the time and concern you have shown in responding to the implementation proposals. Where questions have been asked we will either update through the FAQs or by letting you know at which stage in the process the information you need will become available. We will continue to communicate with you at each stage of the process.

Professor Ann Caesar, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Student Experience) will consider the detailed feedback, concerns and the representations from students arising from the consultation and presented at the meeting of the Senate. Professor Caesar will be in contact with the SSLCs next week to confirm arrangements for enhancing consultation and discussion with students as the School of Life Sciences is implemented.

Yours sincerely

Professor S B Palmer
Interim Chair
School of Life Sciences