Department of CS newsletter

Reminder to register for our graduation ceremony
The deadline for registering to join the academic procession at graduation is this Friday (June 21st). Our ceremonies will be held on Thursday July 18th at 1630 and at 1815. Please sign up here (https://www.enet.uk.net/) if you’d like to attend and celebrate the successes of our students.

Our Managed Expansion Plans
The business case for the managed expansion of our department was supported at the University’s Finance and Capital Planning Sub-Committee this week. This is a significant milestone and means that activity around estates etc can now begin. Many thanks to Chris Turnbull for leading this as project manager, and to everyone in the department who have been so closely involved in the development of the plans.

Wordsmithing Session
Many thanks to Gavin for organising the wordsmithing session earlier this week and providing us all with helpful insights into the inner workings of the REF process. The recording of the meeting will be available soon.

Summer Party Photos
Finally, our summer party was a great success again this year. A huge thanks to Ruth, Nick and everyone in CSOps for all the work they put in to make it run so well. A reminder that if you didn’t collect your department pin badge to celebrate our anniversary, you can pick one up from CSOps.

Just to let you know about the following work going on in Kilburn in the coming weeks/months:

LF21 – A&V Robot Lab development

This work has now started and they are clearing the area ready to start the remodelling of the space. The contractors are using the back corridor past the LF offices to the goods lift for access – the flooring protection has gone down, and all necessary signage has been put up.  

Collab1&2 are being used for furniture storage so are also closed and notices will be put on the doors.

LF15 – PGR Home

As part of the redevelopment LF15 is having the electric sockets and lights upgraded, so we are in the process of clearing this room and it will be out of action till the end of the project. Affected PGRs have been notified.

Loading Bay upgrade – starting 26th June

The loading bay is being upgraded. The large external shutters will go and it will be completely glazed with new entrance doors. From the 26th June the loading bay will be closed for approximately 7 weeks – exit/entry will be via the north entrance near the chaplaincy – and a new push button will be installed to exit the building out of hours.  Out of hours access has been transferred to this entrance door for staff/PGRs.  There will be a temporary porters desk in the foyer near the North entrance for deliveries.  

It's now time to sign up for GTA work for the next semester starting in September - remember you can work as a GTA in Submission Pending, Once you've submitted and are awaiting viva, and while finishing your corrections too.

It's early as usual to help you manage your workload and give you time to make changes if you don't get all the GTA hours you requested. If you are not a CompSci GTA then you'll need to wait for your Department to open your portal to sign up.

If you've not signed up before - then even with inflation and the cost of living crisis looming the extra salary is not the only reason to be a GTA - it is also a good Resume/CV builder and you can get a portable recognised qualification afterwards (and you can TA even if you are on a visa).

As a GTA you can gain invaluable work experience in HE to teach, mentor, support and assess students, which involves explaining concepts, marking work and helping with a wide range of teaching activities. The role is a great way to demonstrate your skills for future employers (academic and industrial), with a direct route to attaining accreditation with the Higher Education Academy. And you can work as a GTA even if you think you will have submitted by Semester 1 2024/25.

Signing up is easy, you just need to go into the system and confirm you'd like to work. Remember, there is no guarantee at this point, this is purely a request not an assignment (which comes later), but I'll be doing my best to accommodate you.

Sign-up

You need to action this by 28 June 2024.

So please do log in now (using this link only) and confirm or update your details for Semester 1 2024/25.