A LEADING Scottish university has put off a decision on a controver- sial programme of cuts until after the formation of a new Scottish Government.
Glasgow University’s ruling Court agreed unanimously to the delay after an outcry from staff and students and an unprecedented intervention from Michael Russell, the Education Secretary.
The move comes after Strathclyde University in Glasgow became the latest Scottish institution to be embroiled in controversy over cuts to courses and staff. The institution is facing a vociferous reaction to proposals to axe a raft of cultural activities.
Following a meeting of Glasgow University Court yesterday, a spokeswoman for the institution said: “Court has decided to extend the period of consultation from May and will not take any decisions before its meeting in June.”
It was under fire because the original decision was set for May 11 – just six days after the Holyrood election.
With the major political parties running neck-and-neck, it is highly unlikely the political make-up of a new government – or its policies on funding higher education – will be known by then.
It was also argued the consul- tation on the proposals – which could result in cuts to modern languages, nursing and adult education – was not long enough to explore alternative options.
Now the decision will be taken at a meeting of the university’s ruling Court on June 22 – six weeks after the election.
The move was welcomed by UCU Scotland, the lecturers’ union. It, along with the powerful university Senate – which represents academics – had called for a delay.
Dave Anderson, president of the Glasgow University branch of the UCU, said: “We welcome the decision to extend the consultation and we hope that Court will take full account of the view of staff and students and recognise the importance of the threatened areas to the institution.
“There had been concerns from the outset that the timetable set for the consultation was unrealistic. That was a view shared by both students and academic staff through the Senate.
“The decision will now be taken at a time when the funding position in Scotland becomes clearer.”
Glasgow’s proposals, which will make combined savings of some £3 million, are part of a wider strategy to find £20m in savings by 2012/13.
Last year, Anton Muscatelli, the principal, warned the institution could run out of money by 2013 if it took no action to address cuts in public funding.
In addition to course cuts, the university is seeking to find significant savings through a voluntary severance scheme across the institution as a whole.
However, at a meeting in March, the university Senate – which governs all academic matters – said no decisions should be taken until after a new Scottish Government has
been elected, despite Mr Muscatelli’s warning. The body argued any action before then is premature because the university does not know what level of public funds it will receive in future.
Last month, during a visit to the university, Mr Russell called for an immediate moratorium on the plans. “Given these proposals are based on a funding model that has now changed because they were published in February it would probably be wise just to stop,” he said.
“I just see no point in having a process that is based on false figures.”
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