Due to a £20m deficit, the University of Wolverhampton is planning to axe up to 250 jobs.
The University of Wolverhampton attributed the impact of declining student enrolments, rising inflation, and the Covid-19 pandemic to its inability to reduce the shortfall.
Employees at the University of Wolverhampton, which has four campuses spanning the Black Country and Shropshire, will now undergo a consultation period.
The university stated that its management is dedicated to treating staff with dignity and respect. The number of jobs at risk accounts for over 10% of the workforce, with a total of 2,200 employees across the campuses.
The university clarified that approximately 100 workers were expected to depart through a voluntary resignation scheme based on mutual agreement.
A statement expressed that the University of Wolverhampton faced a challenging financial landscape due to increasing costs and declining tuition fee income. This situation raised concerns about its long-term financial sustainability, posing a significant loss for thousands of individuals involved.
The University and College Union’s (UCU) Wolverhampton branch described the decision as a “loss for thousands of students.”
According to a tweet by the UCU, they expressed that the impact of job cuts is not limited to staff alone, but also extends to thousands of students who may face the loss of specialized support, opportunities, and valuable experiences that assist them in reaching their full potential.
The university, established in 1827, currently has an enrollment of approximately 21,362 students.
Dr. Catherine Lamond, the chair of the UCU negotiating committee, described the news as “devastating.”
Expressing her sentiment, Dr. Catherine Lamond stated, “It feels as though we have already embarked on a path from which there is no return.”
Dr. Catherine Lamond questioned the absence of a recovery plan to navigate through the cuts, raising concerns about whether this signifies the beginning of the end for the university.
According to the union, since May, a total of 138 courses have been suspended, with no new undergraduate or postgraduate students permitted to apply.
The impact of the cuts extends to science courses, as well as programs in the School of Performing Arts and School of Arts.
Source : bbc.com
