‘We are worthy of a good education’: Students and staff protest against Cardiff Uni cuts

On Wednesday 12th February, students, staff and Cardiff UCU members gathered outside the CSL to protest against the proposed cuts at Cardiff University.

The protest occurred after the group had a chance to ask vice-chancellor Wendy Larner questions about the cuts at the event set up by the Students’ Union. This follows the UCU’s decision to hold a vote of no confidence in her leadership.

Attendees of the event were given the opportunity to share their experiences in how the proposals have affected them and ask questions about their academic future.

After the Q&A session, the group held a demonstration outside of the CSL and gates to the Main Building, elaborating on their concerns for their professional and academic situations.

A range of people spoke at the protest, and a large group of students and passers-by joined to watch.

Dr Joe O’Connor, a professor in music at the university, spoke to the demonstrators about the cuts and the effects it has had so far on himself, fellow staff members and the academic schools at risk.

Joe attested to the situation he has been put in since the announcement. He stated that it has been the “worst two weeks of my life”, following the “deplorable” discretion of information through the news media.

He went on to tell protestors that the “university’s position that we have business as usual at the moment is absolutely shocking.”

“I have to take this shit home with me as well,”  the professor admitted to the group the affect it was having on his day-to-day life.

Most Read

Revealed: The apparent texts Grace was sending around before Love Island All Stars

Right, what did Grace *actually* say in those Love Island screenshots and are they real?

Tasha finally breaks her silence on Andrew split and hints this is the really sad reason

The group also heard from Dr Lloyd Llewellyn-Jones, a professor in ancient history, who told the crowd: “Wendy is slashing her way through one of the most important aspects of humanities studies.”

He further explained: “Humanities is not a luxury. The study of humanities in a capital city’s main university is a vital aspect of our day to day lives.”

Dr Llewellyn-Jones reckoned that the cuts would be followed by an “economic slump” that will have “repercussions” throughout Wales.

This was prior to the announcement from the Welsh Government yesterday; proposing £19m to fund to universities.

Following on from his speech, a modern foreign languages (MFL) student conveyed her situation to the protestors, telling the group: “We are worthy of a good education.”

Ellie, who is also a student rep, expressed to the protestors that the “higher ups” in the university are making her and her degree feel “worthless” in these current times.

This follows the proposal for departments, to be cut and/or merged with a variety of other schools, leaving staff at risk and students unclear about their future.

A UCU member also shared their thoughts with everyone in attendance, questioned the university, saying: “Why are we running it like a business?”

They were joined by the vice-president of the Cardiff branch, Dr Thanasi Hassoulas, a professor in medicine, who thanked the support from students and other staff. He explained how the protests weren’t simply a fight against the cuts, but also a fight for the “heart of academia”.

However, he claimed that the “funding model is fundamentally broken” and is returning to a state of “elitist higher education”, adding: “Us, students and staff, are the university.”

In a comment given to The Cardiff Tab, a Cardiff University spokesperson said: “We understand and recognise the strength of feeling amongst our staff. We remain committed to working with our staff, including UCU and our other campus unions, to deliver a sustainable future for our University.

“With the financial challenges we face, we have to take difficult and challenging decisions. No change is not an option. We have been clear throughout; these are proposals and our final plans will be shaped by our University community through formal consultation and our commitment to partnership working.

“We urge UCU to work with us so we can move forward in the best interests of our staff and to secure the long-term future for our University.

“The scale of the challenge remains, but the way that we address it will certainly be refined and developed over the next 90 days.”

The full statement from Professor Wendy Larner can be found here.