Dundee University will be at risk of bankruptcy if no further action is taken to reduce university expenditure, says Interim-Principal Professor Nigel Seaton.
This comes after the university announced that a further 180 Full-Time employment (FTE) positions are to be cut across the university, in order to save £10 million per year.
The newest round of the voluntary severance (VS) scheme is due to take place from Wednesday the 25th of February until Friday the 13th of march.
DUSA have since opposed this scheme by launching a petition of their own, which can here found here.
The recent Student Representative Council (SRC) meeting was attended by two University Executive Group (UEG) members and the University Chair of Court:
- Interim-Principal Professor Nigel Seaton
- Vice-Principal of Education Linda Martindale
- University Chair of Court, Esther Robertson.
All three gave brief introductions, Principal Seaton used his to defend the VS scheme:
“The expenditure [of the university] is greater than the income by about 2 million a month,” began Professor Seaton.
“The Scottish Government is under no obligation to ensure our survival.”
The floor was then opened to questions from the SRC.
Due to time constraints and the length of each answer, the SRC were unable to ask more than four questions to the three senior management members.
Aaqil Hussain, President of Social Sciences, Humanities and Law first asked about the proposed 180 staff cuts. He explained that there is “strong opposition to that” from humanities students.
“I am strongly opposed to the proposals you’ve come up with,” said Hussain.
“what you’re proposing is an end of the institution.”
Principal Nigel Seaton responded:
“If you have any alternative suggestions about reduction of cost, I’d be very pleased to hear them.
“If we get that [£40 million grant from the Scottish Government and the £12 million loan from the Scottish Funding Council] and don’t reduce the running costs, the University will be bankrupt at some date in the middle of 2027.
“But we’re not in a position of being a university where there’s been a high level of financial discipline, and now we’re having to reduce the expenditure further.”
Chair of Court, Esther Robertson also responded:
“[Previous] senior leaders in the University predicted 1200 or so post-graduate student recruitment, and staffed up accordingly, but only 300 students [were recruited]”.
“There were people hired to do jobs that never existed.”
Robertson added that of the 180 staff who may leave not may all be academic staff and that they may come from “profession services across the piece, central departments and the like”.
“Voluntary Severance is the kindest way, the most humane way to do this, to allow people to make a choice”.
James Douglas, School of Business President asked: “what would you say is the single most important thing that members of this meeting could take away from this session?”
Principal:
“We have to reform. Unfortunately, we have to reform in a way that will involve very tight controls on expenditure, which will affect the employment of people, as well as cash expenditure.
“I’m confident that we can do this without affecting the quality of the teaching or the quality of the student support.”
Marcus Flucker, Independent Member of Court, asked:
“The Gillies Report has identified weak governance as being the key to how financial situation occurred. In your view, what is the route back to strong governance? How are you implementing that?”
Chair of Court:
“There’s a difference between assurance and reassurance, and my understanding is that the previous substantive principle, Gillespie, was a great one for saying everything was fine, and everybody believed him.
“Assurance is asking for evidence. And I think what Tánaiste and Marcus have seen today [in university court], and hope it’s an improvement, is serious evidence that’s providing the encouragement to ask the difficult questions.”
What Do You Think?
This was all the Principal, Vice-Principal & Chair of Court had time for, despite further questions that the SRC had.
Did they answer adequately? What questions would you have asked?
Comment below and let us know!
A Shoutout to The Jute Journal
On a more positive note, DUSA and the SRC took the time to congratulate all in the Jute Journal for winning “Best Publication” at the Student Publication Association (SPA) awards on Saturday.
We just want to thank you all for your support!
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