Newsletter No. 60

CUHK NEWSLETTER C U T a k e s l e ad in E x p l o r i n g Equal T e r ms f o r L o c a l s a n d E x p a t s CUHK may soon be the first of the seven UPGC-funded institutions to implement equal terms of employment. Following a decision in 1993 to explore possibilities of introducing a single set of terms for all Terms of Service (A) or equivalent appointees, irrespective of their countries of origin, the University has now proposed new conditions of service under equal terms and implementation details, which have been set out in an official consultative paper on the matter. In the drafting of new terms, due consideration has been given to the civil service's proposal for equal terms and government requirements in respect of terms and benefits for the subvented sector (including UPGC-funded institutions). The proposals are subject to approval by the Terms of Service Committee and the University Council. The proposed implementation date is 1st July 1995; for serving appointees on superannuable or contract terms, no change to the existing terms is proposed. The consultative paper has been distributed to the two staff associations to solicit views of their members. Copies were also sent to all faculty deans and unit heads. More information about the proposal is available from the Personnel Office (Ext. 7286 or 7288). From the Editor We're Neithe r Omniscien t nor Omnipresen t There are times when we do miss out on items worth reporting. It is partly because we are not the primary source of any news. We don't generate news and we are not omniscient. It is also because we don't have an expansive reporting crew to investigate and uncover all potential news on campus. We are not omnipresent. We rely on information supplied to us by those who have some interesting story to tell or some important message to impart. Our primary duty is to provide them with a channel for information dissemination; we can't produce the news ourselves. We therefore always appreciate tips and contributions from our readers. Call us when you know of some worthy project that needs publicity. Call us if a colleague of yours has received an honour or award. Call us if you are instituting a new programme or making changes in the operation of your department. As a general rule, if you're excited about it, we'll be excited about it. Write to us to express your views on any aspect of the University you feel concerned about. We accept, sans censorship, anything that is substantiated and justifiable. Where necessary we'll direct your comments to the relevant parties for handling. But don't forget to put down your real name, department, and contact number in your correspondence, for anonymity will not be entertained. Do note however that all personal information you give w i l l be kept confidential, and letters can be published under pseudonyms. And as the CUHK Newsletter w i ll be published on a fortnightly basis beginning next January, we suggest you keep a copy of our production schedule on hand for planning purposes. CUHK Newsletter Production Schedule Jan-June 1995 Issue Publication Deadline No. Date for Contribution 62 4th Jan. 16th Dec. 1994 63 19th Jan. 4th Jan. 1995 (No publication during Lunar New Year Holidays) 64 19th Feb. 6th Feb. 65 4th March 18th Feb. 66 19th March 6th March 67 4th April 22nd March 68 19th April 3rd April 69 4th May 21st April 70 19th May 6th May 71 4th June 20th May 72 19th June 5th June (No publication in July and August) No to Dumping Site The University has formally raised an objection to the government regarding the proposed Pak Shek Kok reclamation project. Despite the Un i ve r s i t y 's repeated appeals, the government decided to proceed with the project and a Notice was served in the Government Gazette in August. The project site is some 67 hectares of marine area between Tai Po and Sha Tin on the western border of Tolo Harbour to the north of the Hong Kong Institute of Biotechnology. There is currently no road access leading to the site. The government therefore plans to build a new road that will pass through the eastern campus near the Water Sports Centre and the Marine Science Laboratory to enable large trucks to reach the dumping area. Construction work will begin in 1995 and dumping is expected to last for eight years. The project, by reason of its proximity to the University, will have severe adverse effects on the campus, especially the eastern tip. There are worries about noise pollution, air NO.60 NOVEMBER 1994 3