Dundee University has faced backlash after announcing a further 180 FTE staff cuts through voluntary severance.

This announcement arrives in the middle of a major restructuring of the eight schools into four faculties and the streamlining of professional services staff.

In a statement released by the Dundee branch of the Universities and Colleges Union (DUCU), a spokesperson said:

“This disruption could have life changing consequences for both students and staff, as well as causing irreparable damage to the reputation of the University.”

DUCU said that, “(they) had no direct input into the process, nor could negotiate its terms, as the scheme was presented to us after it had already been approved by Court.”

“DUCU believes that the timing of exits proposed in the current VS scheme will cause massive disruption at a very sensitive time in the academic calendar, when exams, marking, and processing of grades are taking place.”

“Considering that the University of Dundee will be in receipt of an additional £20m of SFC funding this financial year, DUCU has seen no evidence of an immediate threat to the financial stability of the Institution that would justify putting staff and students through such an upheaval at this point of the academic cycle.”

Similar disruption was seen last year, when strike action occurred during exam and assignment hand in season.

A Dundee University spokesperson said:

“We cannot say what impact this will have on specific areas of the University as it very much depends on which staff apply.

Voluntary severance is not a targeted process, but is open to all staff.”

The DUCU statement said that “running a VS scheme during a major restructuring of the University will inevitably compound the chaos.”

However, the University spokesperson confirmed that:

“If staff apply who are engaged in substantial teaching this semester, and they are accepted, they would have a leaving date after the end of teaching, assessment and examination.”

“All applications will be weighed against the impact on the student experience.“

In just 15 months, as reported by STV’s Victoria Pease, “union members have staged 26 walkouts as the threat of compulsory redundancies hung over staff.”  

The Courier’s Justin Bowie published an article which reported on the DUCU backlash, which received frustrated comments from the local community.

A comment from a user titled ‘Aster1x2’ read: “The interim management’s decision is reckless and deeply damaging.

Another comment from anonymous user ‘SillyGilly’ read:

“Colleagues were in tears and are fearful for their future and the future of the University under the current leadership.”

User ‘SB’ wrote: “I am very confused.”

“There must be savings from non replacement of jobs and the recruitment freeze – a total cost or figure that doesn’t seem to be factored in by the university executive group.”

In the initial announcement, Professor Seaton said, “going ahead we have to balance the urgent need to reduce our costs with ensuring we maintain a good student experience, as well as recognising the potential for stress on those colleagues who remain.”

“We expect this voluntary severance scheme to be the last for the foreseeable future.”

“We are committed to ensuring that the process is fair and transparent, and conducted in a sensitive way.”