Impact award winners
The inaugural Impact Awards ceremony took place last night, celebrating research across the University. The Student Impact category was won by Tim van Berkel and Martin Holland for their Heart of Borneo Project. Much of the work of the 28 shortlisted projects, representing all Colleges, is helping to tackle major global problems.

Student views matter
More than 1,000 international and 2,400 UK students responded to the annual exit ‘barometer’ survey. They report high levels of satisfaction in their overall experience – 88% of international students (up 1%) and 90% of UK students (up 2%) – making us number 1 among our competitor universities in the 1994 group and 9th in the UK for international students. 78% of international and 80% of home students would recommend Exeter to others thinking of applying. Satisfaction has increased in areas of careers advice, multicultural experience, personal learning and English language support. The survey highlights concerns about contact hours for undergraduates, and tackling PGR students’ feelings of isolation so the University is working to address these.

Campus safety
You should now be aware that a serious assault took place on the University’s Streatham Campus in the early hours of Weds 7 Dec. The University is working closely with the Police, who are investigating the incident. We are increasing our security presence on Campus, and ask that you look out for your friends, avoid travelling alone, and take a taxi at night. Read more on Facebook.

Campus not closed for Christmas
Student Services Christmas opening times are available on the student webpages and via the student portal . Opening hours of retails outlets are available online. The Main Library will close at 6pm on 24 Dec, reopening at 10am on 26 Dec. Other than that, it will be open 24/7. See the Library opening hours web pages for details of Christmas Opening arrangements for site libraries, and for details of Main Library staffed hours over the vacation.

Christmas lunches
The Terrace restaurant will be offering traditional Christmas Fare on Tues 13 and Thurs 15 Dec, with crackers and festive atmosphere included. A Christmas Day lunch is on offer to any student, family member or staff still in Exeter then. Hosted by Campus Services and the International Student Support Office, tickets are £10 and are available until 16 Dec online.

Festive neighbourliness
We encourage students to celebrate the end of term responsibly. Remember that noise from premises and in the street can cause significant disturbance to other residents. Noise awareness advice can be found on page 13 of the Community Guide if you are having a party and want to avoid disturbing others. A Christmas card or visit to your neighbours would spread a little festive cheer and build relations for the New Year.

Class of 2012 legacy
570 final year students have voted to decide on a project that will leave a lasting legacy on campus. They decided to create a Class of 2012 mosaic housed within the Forum and will now be fundraising. Join in via facebook.

Funding for PhD study
Exeter’s research reputation means we are able to offer PhD fully funded studentships across a wide range of subject areas. Many studentships have now been confirmed particularly within Humanities, Social Science and Business areas and additional awards will made available in the New Year. If you think you may be interested in a PhD in 2012, keep your eye on our PhD studentships webpage for the latest information.

SW Doctoral Training Centre launched
The ESRC South West Doctoral Training Centre (SWDTC) is an exciting new partnership between the Universities of Bath, Bristol and Exeter to form one of the UK’s largest centres of postgraduate research training for social scientists. It draws together the established research excellence of more than 770 academic and research staff at the three institutions.

Internet downtime
Planned maintenance work will affect access to the internet on Sat 17 Dec and Tues 20 Dec. More details online

My Career Zone update
Since its launch in September, the My Career Zone portal has been used over 8500 times by 2500 students. They have had access to 633 advertised jobs, and careers consultants have been booked for over 400 appointments. My CareerZone lets you access targeted information relevant to your course and your future ambitions. Over the coming year many more services will be added, with part time vacancies available soon.

Student Campus Partnerships
As one of Europe's fastest growing companies, the University of Exeter has the potential to offer employment internships to students across each campus. The Student Campus Partnership scheme can provide valuable work experience essential for personal career development, ranging from short-term business and administrative support through to long-term project management.

Green gown
The University of Exeter Business School has won a prestigious Green Gown award for its ground-breaking One Planet MBA programme. This is the first Green Gown win for the University.

Property care
The Police recommend taking valuables home over the Christmas period or storing them in a lockable room. Lock all windows and doors to avoid giving burglars an opportunity. Valuables can also security-marked and UV markup packs can be delivered to students by the Student Community Wardens - email streetwise@ex.ac.uk. The Police offer free home security surveys if you have concerns about the security of your premises - ring 101 to arrange a visit.

Savvy cyclists
The University is keen to promote savvy cycling on campus as part of UK Road Safety Week; to join the discussion on twitter use#savvycycling. A small minority of cyclists have been cycling the wrong way down Queen’s Drive, and bus drivers are concerned about ‘an accident waiting to happen’ - please be aware of one way routes on campus. For more information on the University’s bike user group, Unicycle, please visit www.exeter.ac.uk/unicycle. Low price D locks (£14.34) and LED lights (£6.60) are available through the University’s Travel Plan Coordinator, Julia Jack

Wildlife home
A new hedgerow for wildlife was planted on 23 Nov at the top of the Streatham Campus, alongside the Community Garden. 100 hazel, oak, blackthorn, rowan and hawthorn trees were planted as the first stage of hedge and loads of daffodil bulbs were also put in to add some colour next spring. Thank you to all the student volunteers and to the Grounds team for preparing the area and helping out.

Responsible refuse
Many students living off campus will have extra refuse as a result of last week's strike action. Refuse collections will occur as normal this week and next. Additional waste left out over the Christmas period could cause environmental health problems - the city council recommend that this waste is double-bagged and stored away from the pathway in a shed or storage bin. Bins that are not taken in after the last Christmas collection risk being confiscated. To check final collection times or ask about extra bins call 01392 665010 or visit the City Council Website.

£250 prize for Paddon Award
Student film-makers, writers and composers are invited to enter the 2012 Paddon Award, established in memory of two graduates with a keen interest in the arts. The theme is Your Exeter, Your University. The winner will receive £250. Deadline is 30 Jan. See full entry requirements.

Get sporty
Platinum sports membership is available for £22 a month if purchased 19 Dec 2011 - 31 Jan 2012. It can be bolted onto standard or gold membership or purchased as a one-off by a non-member and includes unlimited use of the gym, fitness classes, swimming, outdoor tennis, squash, badminton, climbing and punch bag. This year the Sports Park are offering an innovative Christmas present in the form of sports gift vouchers.

New Year, New Language
The FLC is offering new language courses starting in January 2012 as part of its popular Evening Language Programme. Arabic, French, Mandarin Chinese and Spanish will all be available as 10-week Beginners courses starting in Term 2. All courses are available for a fee to staff, students and members of the public.

Thurs 8 Dec, from midday
Christmas Fair - High quality, hand crafted Christmas gifts, all made by Exeter students.
Location: Devonshire House

Thurs 8 Dec, 4pm
Xmas Conservation Lecture – The Ocean of life
Callum Roberts (York)
Location: Chapel Lecture Theatre, Cornwall campus

Thurs 8 Dec, 4.10pm
Lecture: Impact of Climate Change on Urban Flooding: a fairy tale inspired by Hans Christian Andersen
Dr Ole Mark, Danish Hydraulic Institute in Copenhagen
Location: Lecture Theatre 04, Harrison Building, Streatham Campus

Thurs 8 Dec, 5pm
Ciceronian Ethics: debate and/or guidance
Malcolm Schofield (Cambridge)
Location: Amory 105, Streatham Campus

Fri 9 Dec, 12pm
Regulation of the interplay between tumour cells and non tumour cells by Eph receptors and ephrins Dr Catherine Nobes (Bristol)
Location: Lecture Theatre, Peninsula Medical School, Barrack Road, Wonford, Exeter
To register contact: Jan Smith Tel: 01392 406808

Sat 10 Dec, 10am
Christmas plant sale
Location: Nursery, Clydesdale Avenue, Streatham Campus

Mon 12 Dec, 3pm
Egenis seminar
Speaker: Professor Hub Zwart, Centre for Society & Genomics, Radboud University Nijmegen
Location: Byrne House, Streatham campus
Info: Claire Packman, 01392 725126

Weds 14 Dec, 4pm
Lecture: A novel approach to the targeting of metalloproteinases in disease
Professor Gillian Murphy (Cambridge)
Location: Lecture Theatre, North Cloisters (NC12), St Luke's Campus with a telematic link to the Lecture Theatre, John Bull Building, Plymouth

Thurs 15 Dec, 5pm
Chronology, dialect or genre? Homer and early Greek relative clauses
Philomen Probert (Oxford)
Location: Amory 105, Streatham Campus

Tues 20 Dec, 4.30pm
Christmas by Candlelight
All students are welcome to come for carols and reflections for Christmas followed by mince pies and mulled wine. 
Location: University Chapel, Streatham Campus