Wardens ready
Ten students have been recruited as Community Wardens to keep an eye on student welfare and community relations in key wards in Exeter. They are: Rosa Van Kestern and Rachel Barber in St James; Jasmina Mularska and Jonny Eccles in St David’s; Tanya Braun and Lucy Holloway in Polsloe; Dino (Davina) Rock and Kiri Bowman in Newtown, and Gemma May Taylor and Andrew Glover in Pennsylvania. Contact Rory Cunningham, Community Liaison Officer on 01392 264686 or email r.j.cunningham@exeter.ac.uk.

Cornwall visit
David Willetts, Shadow Minister for Universities and Skills, is visiting the Cornwall Campus today, and will meet academics and businesses involved in the Peninsula Research Institute for Marine Renewable Energy (PRIMaRE).

Asian links
A recent visit to South East Asia by Professor Steve Smith, Vice Chancellor, and senior colleagues covered Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand and Malaysia. Evening receptions for more than 200 alumni were held in Bangkok, Taipei and Kuala Lumpur. A Memorandum of Understanding was signed with the National Taiwan University (NTU). A delegation of Vice-Chancellors from 20 Chinese universities was hosted last week on Streatham campus.

5 Jan network work
On Tues 5 Jan from 6-9am Exeter campuses will not have access to email, internet, some telephones and online business systems. From 9am-12 the IT systems will be tested, so there could be some further disruption. This upgrade is an essential part of the £5m Network Upgrade Project to improve the performance of the network and provide wireless connectivity across the campuses. Contact the IT Help Desk.

Sign up for Exeter Award
3,800 students are now signed up for the Exeter Award. This is an achievement award for undergraduate and taught postgraduate students at the University. It is designed to enhance the employability of our graduates by providing official recognition and evidence of extra-curricular activities and achievements. See the Exeter Award website.

Floella Benjamin Career Development Awards
Penultimate and final year undergraduates could win one of 5 Awards of up to £1000 to help develop their employability and further career plans. The closing date is 11 Dec. See the Employability website.

Transport surveys
A survey on the travel plan for the Cornwall Campus is currently live, see the University College Falmouth Surveys web page. All entries get put into a prize draw for £100. Exeter based students are being asked to complete a public transport survey on the D bus service. Fill in the survey before 23 Dec. Prizes including a megarider bus ticket and Pinhoe Organic fruit are up for grabs. Contact: Julia Jack, 01392 72 5776.

Ambassador applications
A staggering 590 student ambassador applications have come in for 50 new posts, including 92 applicants from the Cornwall Campus. Student ambassadors work on various outreach and recruitment events and take part in activities including tutoring in schools, giving tours of the campus, helping to deliver workshops in schools and helping out with University Open Days. See the Exeter Student Ambassador Scheme website.

Bin collections
We know students leave on different dates in the run up to the end of term - but it is important to remember your last bin collection time. Rubbish that is left out too early can cause real chaos on narrow streets and risks possible prosecution. Make sure the last tenant to leave your house is aware of the last collection - see the City Council’s student pages.

Degrees Cooler
The University and the Students’ Guild are taking part in a flagship greener lifestyles programme. The NUS project, ‘Degrees Cooler’ seeks to help 90,000 students and staff across 20 English universities measurably change everyday behaviours for the sake of the environment. We are currently meeting a challenging target of reducing emissions of carbon dioxide by 2% year on year, despite considerable growth in activities. See the NUS website or contact Julia Jack Julia.Jack@ex.ac.uk.

Pics for Google
The Web Innovation team have been creating the University buildings as 3D models, to submit to Google Earth. They need your help – and your photos – to make the models as lifelike as possible. Take a picture of a building, upload it to the web and your picture could be seen around the world. To get involved, visit the website.

Conference builds links
Hispanic Studies has recently signed an agreement of collaboration with the Bank of Santander. This began at an international conference sponsored by the Spanish Ministry of Culture, when Hispanic Studies (SALL) and the Largo Caballero Foundation brought together 50 international delegates to debate the cultural and literary meaning of the Spanish Political Exile of 1939.

Glasney rooms
The latest phase of Glasney Student Village, Cornwall campus, has been completed. 105 self-catering bed-sitting rooms are now available for private bookings by family and friends of staff and students. Contact 01326 370466 or email hospitality@tremoughservices.com. See the Tremough Services website.

Help with writing
The Royal Literary Fund Fellows in the School of Arts, Languages and Literatures offer help with academic writing in any department. They are available by office appointment to help undergraduates and postgraduates with the practical aspects of writing. Contact: 01392 262450.

Paddon award
The annual performing arts competition for staff, students and alumni – the Paddon award – is opening soon. This year it is offering a prize for a performance not based in a conventional theatre space. It could be stand up comedy in a car, clowning on the street or even juggling in a bath – as long as it has an audience of at least one person. Just film it and put five minutes on YouTube. Deadline is 1 Feb. Contact alumni@exeter.ac.uk.

Walk right
The storms of recent weeks have brought leaves and debris down across all campuses. We have increased the frequency of clearance work but please be careful when walking. Ice and possibly snow could also cause problems and while our paths are gritted this is not a completely fail safe solution. The health and safety team advise wearing appropriate footwear for the conditions when walking across the campuses.

Oh Yes it is
It's that time of year when panto season gets underway at the Exeter Northcott. Performances of Mother Goose continue until Jan 9. Please bear in mind this means lots of children, teachers and others will be visiting Streatham campus during the day as well as the evening. Book tickets on 01392 493493. See the Exeter Northcott website.

Basketball boost
The University has teamed up with Taunton Tigers, a local basketball club competing at a national level. Three students have already broken into the Tigers’ ranks - Josh Lemin, Fabio Acampora and Chris Page.

Season’s greetings
News in Brief returns in the new term, which runs from 11 Jan to Thu 1 Apr.

A new ‘What's On in Drama’ website lists all upcoming events, and allows you to reserve a place.

Weds 9 Dec, 12.15pm
Flute Choir Concert
Location: University Chapel

Weds 9 Dec, 3.30 – 6pm
EMSA Christmas party
Sponsored prize raffle. Santa Claus. Nibbles
£5 entry (parents) – children free.
Location: Balcony Bar, Devonshire House

Weds 9 Dec, 4pm
HuSS, SALL, Geography Visiting Speakers Seminar Series
Dr John Scanlan (University of Bristol)
Location: Lecture Theatre 3, Peter Lanyon Building, Cornwall campus.

Weds 9 Dec, 5pm
Carols for CLEAR
Carol Service with the Tremough Campus Choir & orchestra
Donations to CLEAR: a Cornish charity working with children linked to and experiencing abusive relationships.
Location: Chapel Lecture Theatre, Cornwall campus

Weds 9 Dec, 7.30pm
'In Dulci Jubilo', a festive concert hosted by the University Singers
Location: St James' Church
Tickets  £5 (£3 students) ~ including mince pies

Thurs 10 Dec, 6-9.30pm
Beauty in the Shed, in aid of Cancer Research UK.
Pampering evening at Exe Shed, Exeter.
Contact: cruk-exeter@live.co.uk

Thurs 10 Dec, 8pm
A Candlelit Concert by the World Music Choir
Location: University Chapel
Tickets £4 (£2 students) ~ including mince pies

Weds 9 Dec, 11am
Policy diffusion: how policies spread
Jean Monnet Lectures on EU governance
Fabrizio Gilardi (University of Zurich)
Location: Amory B105

Fri 11 Dec, 6.30pm
Wintertime Madrigal Recital
Location: University Chapel

Sat 12 Dec, 5pm
Hoi Rhapsodoi Concert,
Location: University Chapel

Sat 12 Dec, 7.30pm
Concert Band Concert
Location: Maynard's School, Denmark Road, Exeter
Tickets £5 (£2.50 students)

Sun 13 Dec, 2pm
Christmas with the University Chamber Orchestra
Location: St Michael's and All Angels, Mt Dinham.
Tickets £3 (£2 students)

Sun 13 Dec, 3.30pm
Mother Goose’s Christmas Party Special
A special gala performance to support the work of the Northcott Theatre Foundation. Tickets are £17 to £25, with no concessions.
Box office 01392 493493
See the Exeter Northcott website.

Sun 13 Dec, 8pm
University Jazz Orchestra Concert
Location: Amber Rooms, Sidwell Street, Exeter
Tickets £3 (£2 students)

Sun 13 Dec, 7.30pm
Soul Choir Christmas Gig
Location: St David's Church
Info: See the ExTunes website.

Mon 14 Dec, 1-2pm
University of Exeter Women's Network event
Find out about our programme of activities for the coming year, and learn how you can get involved.
Seminar Rooms A and B, XFi.
Transport from the St Luke's campus will be provided, contact R.Wells@exeter.ac.uk. 

Mon 14 Dec, 4pm
Centre for Leadership Studies seminar
Women's Leadership and Transformational Life Stages, Elizabeth Sercombe
Location: Conference Room 1, Xfi building

Mon 14 Dec, 7pm
Exeter Carol Service
Free mince pies
Location: Exeter City Football Stadium (St James' Park)

Tues 15 Dec, 7pm
'An Evening of Tinklings and Tinsel' with the Sweet Nothings, all-girl A Cappella group
Location: Long Lounge, Devonshire House

Weds 16 Dec, 5-6pm
University Christmas Carol Concert
Featuring the University Chapel Choir and University Brass Ensemble
Location: University Chapel
Free entry, all welcome.

Weds 16 Dec, 8pm
Beats and Bass End-of-Term Party with LOXY, 2SHY MC and SuBSynK,
Location: Cavern, Exeter

Thurs 17 Dec, 5 - 7pm
Carols at Knightley
All welcome in the Director of Music's Office for mince pies and carolling around the tree.
Location: Knightley, Streatham Drive

Fri 8 Jan 2010, 9am-5pm
Annual Research Conference
Peninsula Research Institute for Marine Renewable Energy
Location: Cornwall Campus
Info: see the PRIMaRE website
Contact: events@primare.org.uk

Fri 8 Jan
Climate Change and Sustainable Futures Postgraduate Conference:
Location: Peter Chalk Centre, Streatham Campus, presentations video conferenced to Peter Lanyon Seminar 9, Cornwall Campus
Registration closes on Fri 11 Dec
Contact: Maggie.Smith@exeter.ac.uk

Mon 11 Jan, 4pm
Centre for Leadership Studies seminar
Pierre Guillet de Monthoux, Centre for Arts and Leadership, Copenhagen Business School with Professor Jonathan Schroeder
Location: Xfi Building - Conference Rms 1 and 2

Tues 12 Jan, 3.30pm
Egenis seminar
Dawn Fox-Davies and Chris Elphick, Egenis PhD Students
Location: Byrne House
Contact: c.h.packman@exeter.ac.uk