University Financial Crisis Timeline

A Break Down of Key Events [Published in Print Issue 001]

Universities across the UK, including the University of Dundee, have been facing financial challenges, with many reporting deficits and anticipating further strain. There have been several key attributes, including the decline in international students following the early 2024 visa changes, high inflation, and long-term funding shortfalls.

This crisis has compelled universities to implement cost-cutting measures at the expense of students and staff, including course and department closures, staff and service reductions, and program mergers, all of which pose a risk to the quality of education and the long-term viability of some institutions.

The following timeline outlines the crisis in Dundee, from the announcement of staff reductions and strikes to the revelations about the executive’s gross mismanagement.

1. December 6^th, 2024: Principal Gillespie Resigned

Former Principal and Vice Chancellor, Iain Gillespie, resigned days after the University defended a £7000 business trip he took to Hong Kong with a colleague. Gillespie announced the month earlier that job cuts were ‘inevitable’ due to the likelihood of a £30m deficit in the next financial year.

2. February 26^th, 2025: Staff begin strike over financial mismanagement

University staff gathered outside the Tower Building as strike action commenced in response to the University Executive Group’s (UEG) lack of transparency and accountability amid the financial crisis and an announced £30 million deficit.

3. March 13^th: Interim Principal Confirmed 632 redundancies

This was the initial outline of a recovery plan, highlighting the core reason for staff strike action: they are unfairly impacted by UEG’s financial mis-management.

4. March 19^th: 1st Education Committee Enquiry. 

The Education Committee was left speechless as Acting Chair Tricia Bey admitted ‘insolvency is a real possibility,’ hinting at Dundee University’s potential liquidation.

5. March 25^th: Gillies Report Announced. 

The report aimed to show how the University Executive Group (UEG) lost £35m overnight between 13 and 14 November 2024, where the money went, why they were unaware of the decline, and who was accountable.

6.April 1^st: Back Track on Redundancies

It had been revealed that the initial proposal of 632 job losses was not entirely accurate, as that figure was associated not just with individual positions, but also with positions that equate to 632 Full-Time Employment (or FTE) roles.

This meant that part-time roles, in whatever capacity, where two or more add up to a full-time position, will be counted as a single FTE role. Therefore, the total number of redundancies will be significantly higher than 632. Media outlets, such as STV News, estimated that around 700 people will be affected by the 632 FTE redundancies, with other outlets stating that the number will be much higher.

7. April 4^th: VP Education and Research announced leave

Professor Blair Grubb, Vice Principal Education, and Professor Lisanne Gibson, Vice Principal Research, will depart their roles. Grubb is set to retire, whilst Gibson has taken a new role with Northumbria University.

8. April 8^th: The Strategic Advisory Taskforce announced

The Scottish Government has called for a ‘Strategic Advisory Taskforce’ of experts from academia, industry, and government to negotiate Dundee University’s future.

9. April 29^th: U Turn on Redundancies 

The university announced an ‘improved’ recovery plan promising 300 voluntary FTE redundancies, down from the original 632.4 mandatory redundancies, which caused outrage among staff and students.

10. June 11^th: Student Consultation Revealed Proposals 

VP Education Blair Grubb and Dean’s convenor Jeff Blackford outlined the details of the proposed restructuring of the current eight schools into three faculties.

11. June 19^th: Gillies Report Released 

The investigation found that senior university management ‘failed to provide a clear picture of the university’s financial position to the UEG, who require accurate financial information to make informed strategic decisions for the university and meet its short-term obligations.’

12. June 19^th: Shane O’Neill Resigned

Interim Principal of Dundee University, Shane O’Neill, resigned from his leading role after just six months following the revelation of Gillies’ report.

13. June 20^th: Seaton enlisted as Principal 

Following the shock resignation of Shane O’Neill, the university appointed Professor Nigel Seaton as Interim Principal and Vice-Chancellor on a short-term basis.

14. June 25^th: Jim McGeorge, Amanda Millar and Peter Fotheringham appeared before the Education Committee

Jim McGeorge (Chief Operating Officer), Amanda Millar (Chair of Court) and Peter Fotheringham (Director of Finance) were questioned by the Education Committee, with a focus on the Gillies Report and the AAB Accountancy Audit. Discussions centred on financial mismanagement and toxic culture at the institution’s top.   

15. June 26^th: Gillespie Parliament Grilling

Under fire since he announced a £35m deficit and subsequently departed from the university last year, Gillespie was given an opportunity to explain himself in Holyrood.

16. July 2^nd: Interim Finance Director Quit Less Than Nine Days on Job

Announced in an email from Interim Principal Nigel Seaton, Chris Reilly has taken the decision to depart the University Executive Group (UEG) “by mutual agreement.”

He was hired on the pretence that he would work for 18 months, but he threw in the towel after just eight days.

Reilly was hired shortly after the previous Interim Principal, Shane O’Neill, resigned in shame. He replaced Helen Simpson, who lasted only seven months in the same role.

17. July 16^th: New Dundee University Chief Operating Officer Appointed

Kirsteen Campbell has been appointed as Interim Chief Operating Officer (COO) on a nine-month contract.

Staff were notified of the appointment in an all-staff email from Interim Principal Nigel Seaton, who clarified that Campbell has been appointed following an advertisement and a whole recruitment process, as opposed to an internal hire.

Campbell has a vast amount of experience, which will be paramount when joining such a fragile institution.

17. August 13^th: DUSA Funding Cut Significantly

Chris Gourley, CEO of DUSA, announced a 34% reduction in funding at DUSA.

This funding reduction may lead to potential job losses, venue closures, and changes to our services.

DUSA currently has Liar Bar, Bonar Hall, The Premier, Campus Pantry, The Library Café, and of course the DUSA building at Airlie Place.

19. August 19^TH: SFC Rejected New Recovery Plan

The Scottish Funding Council rejected the new ‘University recovery plan’ and an SFC spokesperson said that they ‘are prepared to fund the University over a defined period of fundamental longer term strategic planning informed by constructive engagement with staff and students’  

The rejected plan, as reported in The Courier, contained,

• “A timeline for 690 staff lay-offs – including when there will be compulsory redundancies.
• “The stark reality of collapse unless government support comes forward.
• “Buildings and other assets to be marked for sale”.