Senedd calls on Cardiff Uni’s vice-chancellor to explain proposed job and course cuts

The Senedd has called on Cardiff University’s vice-chancellor to explain its proposed job and course cuts.

The chair of the Children, Young People and Education Committee, Buffy Williams has written to Cardiff’s vice-chancellor Wendy Larner asking her to appear before the committee to answer questions regarding the recent job and course cuts proposals to attempt to manage the projected £31m deficit. The committee is part of the Senedd and is responsible for scrutinising education.

According to Wales Online, in the letter sent to Wendy Larner, Ms Williams said that the committee had “taken a close interest” in the VC’s statement announcing the proposals and the responses to them. She added that they want to discuss the proposals and concerns surrounding them such as the closure of whole academic schools, including nursing and modern languages, and the cutting of 400 academic staff.

Ms Williams also said that the committee would like to discuss “the concerns raised by various stakeholders” following the announcement. This follows opposition to the cuts by staff and students, who have been conducting a series of protests.

The UCU president recently told The Cardiff Tab that the proposals are an “enormous act of educational vandalism”. The UCU is also currently balloting its members on potential industrial action and plans to hold a vote of no confidence in the CV’s leadership.

Cardiff University is currently subject to a 90-day consultation period following the announcement on the 28th January. The committee has suggested that the vice chancellor visits the Senedd to give a one-hour evidence session in May this year, after this consultation period has ended.

UCU members protesting outside the Senedd

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The letter addressed to Wendy Larner from Buffy Williams continues by saying: “As the committee… with responsibility for scrutiny of policy and legislation relating to education, we have taken a close interest in your statement of 28th January and the response to that statement from various stakeholders.

“We also note that you anticipate that the specific proposals will be refined and developed over the next 90 days as a result of that consultation process.

“We therefore request that you appear before committee to give evidence in public soon after the formal consultation has ended. We would like to discuss with you the steps leading to your announcement on 28 January, the concerns raised by various stakeholders in relation to your proposals, and how the consultation period had shaped the final plans, which you anticipate will be approved by University Council in June 2025.”

A Cardiff University spokesperson told The Cardiff Tab: “In the immediate term, there will be no impact. The University will ensure that all students who are enrolled in programmes are able to complete their studies. Where programmes are closed as a result of these proposals, teach-out plans will be developed to protect and support students, ensuring that all students continue to receive a high-quality student experience.

“There will be consultation with students and staff to inform the development of teach-out plans. A Discontinuation of Programmes Oversight Group – chaired by the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Education and Student Experience) will provide oversight on the appropriateness of the teach-out plans, the delivery of these plans, impact on students, and the mitigation of risks.”

The Vice-Chancellor Professor Wendy Larner also said: “Our proposals aim to create a more focused, higher quality research environment for staff and students that is world-leading with cynefin, place and co-creation at its heart. We also want to ensure a consistently excellent education experience for students of all backgrounds and experiences.

“I want to stress that these are proposals and our final plans will be shaped by our community – both internal and external – through formal consultation. The scale of the challenge will remain, but the way that we address it will certainly be refined and developed over the next 90 days.”