All Staff Portal:
Staff across the University were brought closer together in April with the launch of the new staff portal. 
Films Hit Big Screen:
The SU at Maidstone organised a screening of student work in film and animation at Maidstone's Odeon.
Governors' Away Day:
Professor Elaine Thomas, Rector, reports on a recent event that introduced Governors to out academic quality and strategic planning processes, and built a shared commitment to out goals for the future.
Introducing the Board:
Over the coming months, with each new issue of the staff newsletter, we will be introducing you to the University's Board of Governors
Show time:
Excitement is building as out first crop of FE and final year degree students prepare to exhibit innovative works in Central London and at out five colleges across the South East.
Creative Inspiration
The University's first undergraduate prospectus is now in circulation, providing thousands of prospective students around the world with an indispensable guide to our academic provision at FE, Foundation Degree and BA(Hons) levels.
Detailing courses available from 2007 onwards, the 136-page publication is intended to provide an original and stimulating introduction to our specialist learning environment. Designed by London-based agency, Rose, whose clients include Tate Modern and the Royal Mail, production of the prospectus was managed by Marketing & External Relations who worked with staff across all Colleges and Departments to develop content.
With a unique editorial section providing articles, comment and opinion, this year's undergraduate prospectus introduces readers to just some of the creative people that make up our community of staff, students, alumni and practitioners. Along with stories focused on fine art, ceramics and metals, the Creative Inspiration section features staff such as Anna Fox, Photography Course Leader at Farnham, who considers whether true creativity can survive beyond the classroom, and Professor Oren Lieberman, Head of our Canterbury School of Architecture, who focuses on the creative mindset required of today's architects.
Alumnus Martin Lambie-Nairn offers insider tips and advice for those aiming to work within branding and visual identity, and there are articles on the outstanding success of graduates, including animator, Tim Searle, and fashion designers, Nargess Gharani and Vanya Strok. With the issue of the undergraduate prospectus, work has begun on a separate publication aimed at an audience of potential postgraduates detailing our taught postgraduate courses and research opportunities for 2007, this should be available from August onwards.
Double Lives
If you thought you knew your colleagues, think again! Every issue, we uncover the secret lives of University Staff to reveal their hidden talents or unusual hobbies.
Stuart Aitken: 40 Years in Fashion
Stuart Aitken has been associated with the University for over 40 years. In that time he has worked as a senior lecturer in the fashion department at Rochester and inspired generations or student designers to achieve great things.
Recently, the Zandra Rhodes Gallery hosted an exhibition displaying a range of Stuart's work, from his student days through to the present, to celebrate a lifetime of achievement and outstanding contribution.
Tribute to Much Loved Tutor
A specially designed bookcase in memory of tutor John Lavery (1935-2004) was unveiled on 26 April in the Library & Learning Centre at Farnham. Commissioned from award-winning furniture designer and University lecturer, Richard Shed, the bookcase honours John Lavery for his work as Senior Lecturer in Fine Art History at Farnham from the 1970s.
Towards University Title
Valerie Stead, CEO, considers our progress in moving from 'University' to 'University':
Spotlight on the Crafts Study Centre
'A real gem of a place.' 'The most inspirational thing we have seen for ages!' 'Exhilarating!' 'Intriguing and delightful.'
University College Abroad
As always, we bring you news of staff who have been representing the University abroad: John Henshaw - architecture students and staff - Sue Stockwell - Maxine Munn - Michael Poraj-Wilczynski
Exhibitions Showcase
Margate in a Minute - 26 April - 12 May
World Gone Mad - 21 April - 4 June
Phoenix Cohort Show - 9 - 14 July
John Hinchcliffe - 7 March - 1 July
University College Fundraisers
Several of our colleagues have been dusting off their running shoes and training hard to prepare for the rigours of competing in various feats of physical endurance to raise money for charity.
Students Exhibit at RE Museum
Students from Rochester recently held an exhibition at the Royal Engineers Museum in Chatham. The work displayed was inspired by a field trip to the Museum where students examined the wartime artefacts on display taking photos and sketches of what they saw before returning to the classroom to develop ideas generated by their research.
