A second college at Edinburgh University is set to undergo major restructuring, staff have been told.
The College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences (CAHSS) employs more than 5,000 staff; including 3,700 academics and 1,300 in professional service roles.
On Friday, staff within the college were informed that the initial phase of the so-called ‘Academic Size and Shape’ programme had concluded.
The restructuring bid comes as university bosses look to cut £140 million from the institution’s annual budget.
The university comprises 25 schools across three colleges: CAHSS, the College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, and the College of Science and Engineering.
University and College Union (UCU) leaders have warned that as many as 1,400 jobs could be lost as managers seek a reduction of £90 million from the staff salary budget.
They were told: “This project is focused on how we reshape our academic portfolio to realise our academic salary savings target. This work is not solely about cost reduction; it is necessary for us to ensure our strengths in teaching and research remain protected and sustainable.”
‘Phase 1’, which concluded in April, involved conversations with more than 100 staff members from the college, which is Edinburgh's largest.
External consultants were paid an estimated £200,000 by the university, The Herald reported in April.
With initial work completed, the university will now move to ‘Phase 2’.
Staff were told: “[This] focuses on translating the insights from Phase 1 into detailed, deliverable proposals at both the College and School levels.
“Using the insights, Heads of School are considering these and will develop School delivery plans by the end of June. These will outline specific actions such as programme changes, potential closures and course rationalisation, where required. At this stage, specific impacts from this work are not yet known.”
Between July and October, the university will consult on the proposals, and “anticipates moving towards implementation from November onwards (Phase 3”.
Staff were urged not to “share information prematurely” over concerns employees could feel increased "anxiety and uncertainty”.
“Throughout this project, we have been committed to open and transparent communication,” the email added.
“I know colleagues want more detail and clarity on what proposals will mean for them, and that is understandable. At the same time, we need to be careful not to share information prematurely. Doing so would be unhelpful and would likely increase the anxiety and uncertainty we are working hard to minimise.”
The news comes days after academics were informed that more than a dozen postgraduate courses are to be cut at Edinburgh Medical School.
Affected staff were informed that eight programmes would close over a period of several years and five at the end of this academic year.
A source told The Herald: “The details had not been communicated to staff. The postgraduate courses are being closed, and a few are being taught out. 130 life-changing offers have been cancelled. Our course was well respected in the field. There are not many places where you can study this topic.”
“If it is all about money, I do not understand why the management would cut a programme which has £1.1 million turnover and £500,000 profit,” the source, who taught on the Science Communication and Public Engagement MSc, remarked.
The UCU’s Edinburgh branch blasted the announcement on Instagram:
“The College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences (CAHSS) ‘Academic Size and Shape’ review just concluded,” a post stated.
“Numbers for staff cuts have been given to schools in CAHSS,” the union claimed.
“Peter Mathieson and his mates are gutting the university in the name of profit. There is no deficit. The University of Edinburgh makes a huge surplus every year.
“It is exponentially richer today than it was 10 years ago.”
There has been an ongoing transparency row between members of the university’s supreme academic body, Senate, and senior managers.
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Senators have alleged that they are being prevented from lawfully scrutinising management decisions relating to the restructuring plan, while managers have contended they are working within the university’s established governance procedures.
A request for documents pertaining to the cuts bid was denied last week, after Senators had asked for the information five months ago.
“Provision of this paperwork ... presents significant risks for the University,” managers wrote, adding: “[These includes] misinterpretation of work being undertaken due to lack of sufficient context, increased anxiety for staff through misunderstandings about potential areas of focus, and confusion around governance pathways, remits and decision-making authority.”
Edinburgh University was approached for comment.
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