University of Bradford cuts devastating
Union chiefs fear proposed cuts by the University of Bradford would have a “devastating” multi-million pound impact on the local economy – and cause “lasting damage”, reported the Telegraph & Argus.
UCU members took part in 10 days of strike action in July over the institution’s proposals to make £16 million of cuts, slash hundreds of jobs and close multiple courses.
The Telegraph & Argus exclusively published TUC analysis which estimates the planned cuts could hit the local economy by a total of £23m.
UCU general secretary Jo Grady told the paper: “These devastating cuts would tear the heart out of the University of Bradford and cause lasting damage to the city.”
University funding model slammed in Guardian
In a Guardian opinion piece, Zoe Williams explains why the domestic and international student fees model of funding higher education is broken and quotes UCU data to show staff have faced real term pay cuts since 2009.
Zoe argues that unless there is radical change the higher education system will fall apart.
Ministers’ asylum plan ‘will turn universities into border force’
The Times reported that Labour plans to bar universities from accepting foreign students if they fail to prevent their students claiming asylum in the UK.
Responding to the story, Jo Grady told the Morning Star “Attempting to turn universities into an extension of the border force is not only shameful, but doomed to fail.”
She told Research Professional the “policy could have perverse consequences, such as forcing a university to bar students from war-torn countries like Palestine or Ukraine because they may not be able to safely return home.” Jo went on to say that Labour “must stop sacrificing our universities on the altar of its hopeless attempts to outflank Reform on immigration and start backing the sector. Only then will higher education be able to thrive, improve local economies and enhance the UK’s global standing.”
UCU launches petition against massive cuts at Lancaster University
UCU has launched a petition demanding an immediate halt to Lancaster University’s planned one in four redundancies and full transparency on its financial position, reported the Lancaster Guardian.
A UCU spokesperson told the outlet “University management has cited a £35 million shortfall as the reason for the job cuts. But staff say this number is based on uncertain forecasts of future income, not confirmed losses. That figure represents about 10% of the university’s annual budget.”
UCU criticises Warwick Uni for ‘vanity project’ Vogue staff photoshoot
The University of Warwick has come under fire for starting a “luxury” makeover while making staff redundant because of financial pressures, reported The Telegraph.
Ajay Teli, Warwick’s chief communications officer, has featured in a series of paid magazine spreads in recent months to promote the university’s 60th anniversary. It includes a fashion photoshoot for Vogue Singapore published in June, in which Mr Teli wore designer clothing and said he would use his experience in the “premium and luxury sectors” to boost Warwick’s reputation.
It comes after the university made 218 people redundant last year. UCU told the paper: “The University of Warwick’s new brand has undoubtedly cost the institution a considerable amount of money, spent while staff contracts are not being renewed, essential roles are being eradicated, and students are struggling to pay their tuition and their bills. We have asked the university for information on how much this rebrand has cost and why these funds weren’t used to support and improve teaching and learning activities. We eagerly await a response.”