Funding rise
The University has seen one of the biggest rises in the country in its annual government grant for research and teaching. The total funding package for 2009/10 is £62.6 million, a rise of nearly 9% (the national average rise is 4%), with £44.2m for teaching and £18.4m for research. Research funding has increased by 26% - the third largest increase amongst leading UK universities. See the University News story.

Postgraduate boost
Postgraduate activity is rapidly expanding and the number of applications to do MAs and PhDs here continues to grow. Our fast track application system enables final year undergraduates to apply direct from the Student Portal for a taught postgraduate programme at the University without having to go through the full application process. You complete a shorter form, including a personal statement. Decisions are normally made within five working days.

More postgrad places
The Arts and Humanities Research Council has funded 119 postgraduate places at the University, worth over £4.2 million over the next 5 years. This means funding for more postgraduate students in subjects ranging from Cultural and Film Studies to Creative Writing and Law. See the University news story.

NSS
A gentle reminder to finalists that the National Student Survey deadline is 27 April, so try to submit your survey before the Easter break.

Streatham campus developments
The Forum project to redevelop the centre of campus, extend the library and improve student services is progressing well. See the Forum Project website. Designs will be exhibited for consultation on 30 April and 1 May in the Main Library. Pending planning permission, ‘enabling works’ will take place in the summer and the main construction work is scheduled to start in January 2010.

Old Library refurbishment
£2 million has been allocated to refurbish the Old Library on the Streatham Campus. These works enable the Forum project, by providing alternative study and storage spaces during its construction, and to provide a world-class research library facility. See the Library website.

New build in Cornwall
Work has started on University College Falmouth’s Performance Centre on the Cornwall campus, part of the masterplan for expansion by both Universities on the campus.

Election results
The Student Guild is now the most representative union in the country, with 34% of the student population voting in Sabbatical Elections. Richard Stearn, recent University Challenge team captain, is elected President. For more information see the X-media Online website.
In Cornwall, Ian Pogonowski is elected as Exeter’s FXU President. For more information see the FXU Students’ Union website.

Record breakers
The Exeter UOTC broke two records at the Duchy marathon in Redruth. Jordan Toy, final year Business Economics student, ran dressed in full combat armour and helmet in 4 hours 3 mins, beating a previous record of over 5 hours. Meanwhile a team of 28 were tied together, coming in at 4 hours 30 mins..

Sustainability online
To find out about what the University is doing to improve its environmental performance, see what you can do to help and keep up to date with forthcoming sustainability events. See the Sustainability website.

StreetWise funds
The new StreetWise fund provides up to £500 for students, Exeter residents and community organisations to develop projects that bring together University students and permanent city residents. Discuss ideas with Rory Cunningham, Community Liaison Officer on 01392 263721 or r.j.cunningham@exeter.ac.uk.

Don’t procrastinate
Two workshops on procrastination are running for post graduate students on 28 April, Streatham Campus and 30 April, St Lukes. For more info contact the Student Counselling Service on counselling@exeter.ac.uk or 01392 264381. Book by 27 Mar.

Poster comp
‘Perspectives’ is a poster competition open to postgraduate and postdoctoral researchers funded by the UK research councils. It offers training in design and communication skills. Deadline 8 May. Info and online application at the British Science Association website.

Voice
Drop in advice sessions are held each Thursday from 12-2 in the GI Hub, ground floor Devonshire House, run by the same team as the Voice phoneline. Or call 01392 275284 any time between 8pm & 8am during term time (74000 from halls phones) voicemail@exetervoice.co.uk.

Chicken
Halal chicken is now available in all Hospitality Services kitchens on the Exeter campuses.

Free Chlamydia screening
Chlamydia is a common, sexually transmitted infection which is easy to treat. Testing kits can be sent to you via the NCSP website or Exeter’s Student Health Centre is offering confidential tests in person or by a “take-away” kit.

Sports for kids
From 6 to 17 April Easter holiday multi sports and tennis camps are running at the Streatham sports centre. See the Sport website.

Weds 18 March, 8am-4pm
Love your bike day
Location: Great Hall car park
Bike & accessory displays from local bike shops, Dr. Bike service, fun static time trial, cycling information, freebies and advice.

Weds 18 March, 12-2pm
Big Switch Off Giveaway
Location: Devonshire House
Pick up a free low energy light bulb and green bag, plus find out more about saving energy at home.
Contact: Kathryn Lamble on 01392 265669 or environmental.co-ordinator@exeter.gov.uk

Weds 18 March, 1pm
Madrigal Group
Location: University Chapel
This will be the first solo concert of the Exeter University Madrigal Group, featuring music by many of the leading composers of madrigals, including Thomas Morley, John Farmer and Orlando Gibbons.
Entry is £1 for students and £2 for non-students.

Weds 18 March, 4-6pm
Tremough Seminar Series:
Jeff Malpas, University of Tasmania
‘Home, identity and the place of memory’
Location: Peter Lanyon Lecture Theatre 4 (video-linked to Streatham Amory 316)

Weds 18 March, 7.30pm
Exeter University Symphony Orchestra Spring Concert
Location: Great Hall
Including:
Vaughan Williams "English Folk Song Suite"
Rimsky-Korsakov "Scheherazade"
Hummel "Trumpet Concerto" - soloist Adam Johnstone
Tickets £5, £4 (concessions), £3 (students) - can all be bought on the door from 7pm
Contact: Clara on cb310@exeter.ac.uk

Thurs 19 March, 1-1.45pm
Art History lecture – Postmodernism
Location: Queens LT1. See the Fine Art website.

Sat 21 March
Analogue to Digital Music Expo
hands-on workshops, master-classes, live performances and Q&As with the world’s leading experts in music production and sound engineering.
Location: Exeter Phoenix Arts Centre. See the Sound Gallery website.

Sun 22 March, 7.30pm
Camborne Youth Band
Location: Stannary, Cornwall campus
Tickets £5 adults, free for children under 16,
Contact: Tamsin Merritt 01209 218218

Mon 23 March, 5.45pm
Shaping the Future lecture
James Smith, Chair of Shell
‘Building the energy future’
Location: Newman A, Peter Chalk centre with videolink to Lecture 4, Peter Lanyon building, Cornwall campus.
Contact: Email m.house-hayes@exeter.ac.uk or call 01392 725769

Wed 1 April, 7pm
International Year of Astronomy event
Location: Peter Chalk centre
Talk by popular science writer and broadcaster Ian Ridpath, demonstrations and displays and (weather permitting) a chance to do some observations using telescopes. See the Astrophysics Group website.

Sat 4 April, 1.30-5.30pm
Welcome to Devon event
Location: County Hall, Topsham Road
Open to newcomers to Devon. Held by The Devonshire Association, with the support of Devon County Council. Book places through the Devonshire Association website.

Fri 17 April, 6pm
The 2009 Andrew Stratton Lecture
Location: Parker Moot Room, Amory Building
Prof. Richard Lamming speaks on "Planet Earth is in your Supply Chain"
Contact: Martin Pellatt 01258 840877

Exeter Northcott
See: Northcott Theatre website.

Tues 17– Sat 21 Mar
The Hounding of David Oluwale
The true story of David Oluwale, a Nigerian immigrant who came to Leeds in the 1950's in search of a new life but found only brutality, and the determination of one man to find him justice. Get 2 tickets for the price of 1 by calling 493493 and quoting ‘241 ticket offer’.

Tues 24-Sat 28 March
Stones in his Pockets
by Marie Jones
When a major Hollywood film studio descends on a village in rural Ireland, the demand for extras from the local community is huge. Irish Comedy at its best.