Letter from the President of the NCUP, Professor Terence Davis OBE

Dear NCUP Member,

The NCUP Council has just met and I write to let you know various developments since the AGM, 13th March 2018, when I was appointed President. I also indicate some of the events that are scheduled to take place in 2019.

In correspondence with the Charity Commission, NCUP has finally achieved Charity Status on 22nd November 2018. Our Registered Charity Number is 1180796. This recognition does have beneficial financial implications e.g. the House of Lords Function that I mention later in this letter.

We have established a sound link with HEPI (Higher Education Policy Institute). This organisation is highly respected and maintains approximately 12 publications per year. These are available, at no cost, to NCUP members (whilst stocks are available) and NCUP members may obtain, through NCUP, Complimentary tickets at HEPI events. At the Annual Lecture held in November at the Royal Geographical Society, three complimentary tickets were given to NCUP.

We have recently placed an entry for NCUP on Wikipedia. This is a part of our effort to become better known to potential new members.

Our next AGM is on the 22nd March 2019, to be held at King’s College’s Strand Campus. After the Council meeting in the morning, there is a light Buffet lunch at 1330, available to all members at a cost of £15 (non-members £30). This is followed by an Annual lecture by Professor Neylon at 1430 ‘The changing system of research communications: where next in an Open Access world?’ The AGM is at 1530; all members are encouraged to attend.

Our House of Lords (HOL) luncheon, with speaker, is on the 23rd May 2019, hosted by our Patron Baroness Pauline Perry. Sir Oliver Letwin MP will speak on ‘Politics and Higher Education’ Costs this year are £68 for NCUP members and £80 for non- members. Last year, the costs were £85 for NCUP members and £95 for non- members. The payment by members of 25% less is due to our charitable status e.g. hire of room rate.

Cheryl Humphrey, our Executive Officer, will be sending out the necessary documentation for attending the AGM and HOL events early in January.

On April 14th 2018, I wrote to all members via our website. My last paragraph referred to our recruitment of new members. I stated then, and it is still relevant today,

‘During my period of office as President, it is really necessary to increase membership. If every member introduced a successful candidate just once in the calendar year, obviously, we would double our number. I bring your attention to our website www. ncup.org.uk at ‘JOIN US’. Those wishing a membership application form or further information, please contact, by email, one of the following, President, Professor Terence Davis OBE, Vice-President, Professor Janet Wilson  or Cheryl Humphrey, Executive Officer.’

Membership fees are tax-deductible.

Currently, we have a vacancy for one member on the Council. He/she may be co-opted onto the Council at anytime throughout the year and then stand for election at the next AGM. I would be very happy for anyone wishing to discuss the matter to contact me, in confidence, by my email.

Best wishes to all members at this festive season and a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year.

Terence

Professor Emeritus Terence Davis OBE, MA. PhD, Hon.DLitt, FSS, FRSA, FNCUP
President, NCUP