University of Nottingham restructuring plans approved after staff strikes last week

Students at the University of Nottingham have been informed that the second phase of restructuring proposals has been approved. This decision follows staff strike action last week.

The strikes on Thursday coincided with the university’s council meeting, in which the final business case for cuts was considered. On Thursday afternoon students received an email confirming the outcome of the second phase of restructuring proposals, known as Future Nottingham 2.

Future Nottingham’s development began two years ago in response to an £85m deficit, with Phase 1 already implemented. It was reported that 2700 staff may be at risk of redundancy, 609 jobs may be cut in the next three years, and nearly 50 courses may be closed.

Students will have received information today about changes to their studies and will be invited to a student engagement event.

Katherine Linehan, Pro-Vice-Chancellor in Education and Student Experience, said in Thursday’s email: “Change can sometimes feel uncomfortable, but these changes are happening because we are committed to your academic success and wellbeing.”

Picket lines for strikes were set up at all major university entrances earlier this week. Further strike action in response to the proposals is taking place from 5th October to 11th December.

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A student attending the strikes told the BBC: “I’m here to stand with our staff and our teachers who have been unfairly punished for something that is not their fault, and it’s very important that the students stand with their teachers because we love them and they’re passionate and dedicated”

The UCU said there is no financial justification for the proposals, and described its undergraduate recruitment as “strong”. It also said that staff submitted “extensive alternative proposals capable of delivering further savings”. However, the university claim that the alternative proposals are “not workable”, and that feedback was taken on board.

The University of Nottingham said: “We understand this news is concerning for our students, particularly at the start of the academic year, but experience from previous strike action suggests that many students will experience little or no disruption to their teaching.

“We want to reassure them we have clear procedures and support in place to minimise any disruption and ensure they get the most from their university experience.

“All Future Nottingham counterproposals have been reviewed and considered to help inform the university’s final business case, which has now been approved by University Council.”

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Featured image via Geograph Britain and Ireland under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.o Generic before edits.