Wales’ oldest university confirms campus closure despite Senedd protest and petition

Wales’ oldest university has confirmed it will be closing its Lampeter campus despite a Senedd protest and petition.

This comes as the University of Wales Trinity St David (UWTSD) proposed to move over 30 courses from Lampeter to Carmarthen.

Lampeter campus is Wales’ oldest highest education institution, which has left students angry and willing to move universities.

Many took to the Senedd steps to protest the move before the university confirmed it will still be closing the campus.

Students and supporters of the cause gathered together on Tuesday 21st January to protest against the closure of the site in Ceredigion.

The protest lasted four hours outside, with students and other campaigners joining them from all over the UK.

The Pembrokeshire Herald reported that alum Jules Hudson, presenter of Escape to the Country, joined the group of protesters and later gave a speech.

During the protest, people held signs that read: “St David V Goliath” and “Achub Campws Llambed”, which means “Save the Lampeter Campus”.

Cefin Campbell and Adam Price, members of the Senedd, gave speeches in support of the campaign, alongside Rhys Bebb Jones, town councillor and ex-student.

However, MS Elin Jones, Llywydd of the Senedd, requested that more time be given to the Welsh Government to make a decision, and for current students to finish their courses.

The protest followed an urgent appeal for people to sign a petition to save undergraduate teaching from being terminated at Lampeter.

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Those fighting against the move decided to write an open letter to call for action before the petition deadline arrived.

The leader of the “Save Lampeter Campaign”, Esther Weller, wrote a letter to the readers of Cambrian News, urging them to sign a petition to the Senedd.

She said: “It shouldn’t take a petition for this to warrant a debate; however I am making an urgent appeal to you. We are pleased that the Cambrian News has been following our campaign to reverse the decision to stop undergraduate teaching in Lampeter from September this year.”

Esther further noted that if the petition reached 10,000 signatures it is most likely that the “Senedd will debate the issue.”

“This potential debate is our best hope of highlighting the issue at the highest level in Wales. Currently the Welsh Government insists that the matter is for the management of UWTSD only.

“We believe it is a matter for the whole of Wales,” she said.

She also went on to explain that the closure of the campus would “be a betrayal of Wales’ heritage and culture” and “should be a matter of grave concern to all Senedd Members of all parties.”

Esther ended the letter by reminding readers of the “day of action”, which was held last Tuesday. This was used to bring “interested parties” together to “collectively oppose” the proposals of UWTSD.

However, The University of Wales Trinity St David has since released a statement confirming the closure of its Lampeter campus, it reads as follows:

“On 11th November 2024 it was proposed that, given the diminishing numbers of students studying full-time at Lampeter campus, the University should relocate current and future Humanities teaching and learning to its Carmarthen campus from September 2025.

“This would provide students with improved access to services that would support their university experience and, allow the Humanities discipline the opportunity to flourish in a more inter-disciplinary environment.

“Since then, the University has engaged in regular conversations with students and staff to listen to their responses to the proposal and undertaken a formal consultation with trades unions and affected staff.

“Discussions have also been held with external stakeholders representing local, regional and national interests.

“The engagement from students and staff has made an essential contribution to challenging and helping to further develop the original proposal.

“The University has now concluded its decision-making process and approved the proposal to relocate its Humanities provision from Lampeter to Carmarthen.

“We have worked to reduce uncertainties for staff and students by making a decision in good time to enable the transition. The University will now commence preparations and practical considerations, to enable a smooth transition for Humanities to begin the academic year at its new Carmarthen home in September 2025.

“The Lampeter campus is of great importance to the University. A mechanism will be established through which stakeholders can be involved in proposals for a range of economically viable, education-related activities that would bring a new, sustainable lease of life to the campus.”

Featured image via Google Maps