International students rate Exeter ‘excellent’
An independent survey of international students has confirmed the University as one of the highest-rated in the UK. The survey, I-Graduate’s Autumn 2010 International Student Barometer, awarded Exeter ratings of over 90 per cent for student support, international support office, careers service and assessment.

Supporting financial hardship
The Vice Chancellor’s Executive group has agreed to provide £163,000 from additional fee income to supplement the Access to Learning Fund. The fund assists students, such as single parents, who need extra financial support. It also provides help in crisis situations. For further information, please visit the Student Finance web pages.

Census deadline
For those who have yet to complete the census, this week is the last opportunity. Please complete an online form using the code on the front of the paper form and remember to press ‘submit’, not just ‘save’. Substantial fines could be issued from next week. For more information, please visit: www.census.gov.uk.

Respect 2011: volunteers needed
'Respect in the Park’, Exeter's free annual two-day festival, takes place 4-5 June in Belmont Park. It will feature music, art, dance and much more to celebrate diversity and promote equality within the city. The University and the Guild sponsor the event which features student-run stalls. To volunteer, please email info@exeter-respect.org, putting ‘volunteering’ in the subject line.

Noise awareness
As we approach the end of deadlines for the academic year, we ask that students be wary of noise levels, particularly those living and socialising off-campus. If you are walking through residential areas late at night, please remember your sleeping neighbours. The police will also have an increased presence in the early hours this term. Please refer to the advice on pages 12-13 of the 'Community Guide'.

Going abroad in 2011/2 as part of your course?
Students working or studying overseas are asked to submit their placement details by 3 June. Please log onto MyExeter, click on the Student Record tab and then click on the orange “Year Abroad" link. If you do not submit your form on time, you may experience delays in receiving your student loan at the start of your placement. Further details will be given at pre-departure meetings within Colleges.

IT focus groups
Exeter IT is looking for volunteers to participate in student focus groups examining the University’s IT services. The aim is to improve service levels and meet students’ needs. The groups should take no longer than 1.5 hours and a light snack will be provided. Please contact Zac Nashed to book a place on your preferred date.

Turf-cutting marks start of ESI construction
A ceremony has marked the start of construction work on the Environment and Sustainability Institute’s building on the Cornwall Campus. Leadbitter Group has been appointed as the construction contractor and is aiming for the highest environmental classification (BREEAM ‘outstanding’). The building is set for occupation in October 2012.

Post-Easter refuse
If you have a backlog of holiday waste, you can arrange for a separate refuse collection (for a modest charge) by calling 01392 665010. If you have refuse storage issues, you can discuss your needs with City Council staff on the same number. For recycling information or to download your refuse collection calendar, please visit the Exeter City Council website.

Survey of Postgraduate Destinations
Employability & Graduate Development is in the process of contacting over 700 recent Exeter graduates from postgraduate courses to find out their employment and study destinations six months on. This data collection is part of a national Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education (DLHE) survey. For more information, please visit the Employability website.

Dragon’s Den entries
Dragon’s Den, the BBC business programme, is looking for entrepreneurs for its 2011 series. The programme gives entrants the chance to pitch business propositions to investors.

Lord Mayor’s sponsored walk
There will be a sponsored walk from Bridge Road, Exeter to Starcross and back on Sunday, 8 May at 10am in aid of Lord Mayor Marcel Choules’ charity, the Wonford and St Paul’s Youth and Community Project. Marcel Choules is a long-standing University employee. For an application form, please email marvel_toulous@hotmail.com or call 01392 265524.

Hutton Prize for Excellence
The University has been endowed with a new prize to recognise and encourage ethical conduct. The Hutton Prize for Excellence, comprising a gold medal containing one Troy ounce of gold, will be awarded annually for the best dissertation or PhD that accords with the aim of promoting good governance. The prize is open to Politics, Law and Business students and recent graduates from the College of Social Sciences and International Studies and the Business School.

Falmouth Energy Week
‘Frameworks for a low carbon future: Key building blocks for success’ is the theme of this year’s Falmouth Energy week (FEW). The annual conference, organised by the University’s Energy Policy Group, will take place 23-24 May. It will bring together central decision-makers and stakeholders within energy policy in the UK. For further information, please visit FEW.

New café coming soon
The new café in Building:1 of the Business School will open on 23 May. The Café:1 menu will provide both traditional and contemporary cuisine, including international street food, a breakfast range and takeaway items in modern, light surroundings.

Free tickets for Frank Gardner
The University is offering 220 free tickets to hear Frank Gardner, the BBC’s award-winning Security Correspondent, talk at the Northcott Theatre on 24 May. Frank, who reports on both UK and international security, is an Exeter alumnus with a degree in Arabic & Islamic Studies. After the talk, Frank will answer questions and sign copies of his new book, Far Horizons. For further information, please visit the Northcott website.

Platinum sports membership
The Sports Park and St. Luke’s Sports Centre are offering ‘Platinum Membership’ for one month leading up to St. Luke’s Summer Ball. Available for £18 and valid from 11 May – 11 June, membership includes: unlimited use of the gym, classes, badminton, squash, table-tennis, outdoor tennis and indoor swimming, and discounts on all other activities. Standard and Gold members may add on this offer.

Cornwall House pool open
The Cornwall House outdoor pool on the Streatham campus has opened for the summer season. The 25m pool is heated to a constant 29° Celsius and has both lane and public swimming sessions. This year there is also a coached length session aimed at competent swimmers. For further information, please visit the Sport website.

Mon, 9 May, 3-4.30pm
Seminar: Professor Robin Williams, Durham University, 'Forensic DNA Databasing Policy & Practice: Imagining and Assessing Utility'. Further information: egenis@exeter.ac.uk.
Location: Egenis, Byrne House, Streatham.

Tues, 10 May, 1pm
Seminar: Bob Jeffrey, Open University, ‘Witherto the post-modern primary: Creative teaching and performativity 1990-2010’. Further information: Tamara Snell.
Location: BC114, St Luke’s.

Tues, 10 May, 6pm
Book launch: Celebration of Ginny Baily’s novel Africa Junction. Tickets: £3.50 on door or in advance from the Phoenix 01392 667080. Includes glass of wine.
Location: Senior Common Room, Queen's Building, Streatham.

Tues, 10 May, 6-7pm
Inaugural lecture: Professor Declan Bates, Biological Systems Engineering, ‘Coping With Uncertainty’. Further information: Vetri Shivakumar.
Location: Harrison Building, Theatre 04, Streatham.

Thurs, 12 May, 2pm
Management seminar: Professor Andrew Fearne, University of Kent, ‘Sustainable value chain management’.
Location: Xfi lecture theatre, Streatham.

Fri, 13 May, 5pm
Lasok Lecture 2011: Professor Paolo Mengozzi, Advocate General, Court of Justice of the European Union, 'The Judicial Protection of Individual Rights and the Principle of Proportionality after the Lisbon Treaty'. Chaired by Professor Leone Niglia, Centre for European Legal Studies.
Location: Xfi lecture theatre, Streatham.

Sat, 14 May, 9am-4pm
Graduate School of Education’s Annual Staff Student Research Conference: Keynote speaker – Professor Stephen Gorard, University of Birmingham, on ‘Logic: the unifying theme of research?’ Supported by the Annual Fund. Further information: Lucy Smith.
Location: Baring Court, St Luke’s.

Mon, 16 May, 3-4.30pm
Seminar: Dr Nina Hallowell, Newcastle University, 'Genetic screening for Familial hypercholesterolemia: what does it mean?' Further information: egenis@exeter.ac.uk.
Location: Egenis, Byrne House, Streatham.

Tues, 24 May, 5pm
Seminar: Professor Rosalind Gill, King’s College, ‘Beyond the binary: Diversity, complexity and contradiction in girls’ responses to ‘sexualised’ culture’. Further information: Tamara Snell.
Location: G18, St Luke’s.

Fri, 27 May, 3-4.30pm
Seminar: Professor Maurice Biriotti, SHM Productions Ltd, 'Medicine, Innovation and the Humanities: an experience from the private sector'. Further information: egenis@exeter.ac.uk.
Location: Egenis, Byrne House, Streatham.

Thurs, 2 June, 6pm
Seminar: Professor Mark Bedau, Reed College, ‘Why emergence drives the science and politics of synthetic biology’, followed by a reception. To attend, please contact: Dr Helen Butler, 01392 726208.
Location: Xfi Lecture theatre, Streatham.

Mon, 20 June to Tues, 21 June
Egenis conference: ‘Making Sense of Large Datasets’. Please register with Laura Dobb or 01392 725 140. Further information: Sabina Leonelli or 01392 725 137.
Location: IAIS, Streatham.

Northcott Spring/Summer highlights

Tues, 17 to Sat, 21 May, 7.30pm
Sat matinee 2.30pm
Spring Awakening: Sell a Door Theatre Company presents cult rock musical. Tickets from £12, concessions half price. Age: 14 yrs+ (contains strong language). Post show talk: Wed 18 May.

Sun, 29 May, 7.30pm
Edith Piaf: Celebration of a Legend with Tina May and her musicians. Tickets: £15.

Tues, 24 May, 6pm
Frank Gardner OBE. Free student tickets available from box office.

Wed, 1 June, 7.30pm
Bill Giles' Weather Show: Bill Giles led the BBC weather team for 17 years and was awarded the OBE in 1995 for services to weather broadcasting. Tickets: £15.

Sat, 4 June, 7.30pm
Dr Phil's Rude Health Show: Dr Phil Hammond returns to Exeter after his sell-out performance in 2010. Tickets: £14, concessions £12. Age: 14yrs+.

Thurs, 9 to Sat, 11 June, 7.30pm
BLOK/EKO: cast of 110 perform premiere of Howard Barker’s latest work. Presented by The Wrestling School in collaboration with the Drama Department. Tickets: £14, concessions half-price. Age: 16yrs+. Post show talk: Fri, 10 June.