New poll reveals overwhelming support for investment in higher education

An overwhelming majority of the public value universities and colleges and want to see continued investment in UK institutions, according to a new poll released today.

The Ipos Mori survey for Universities UK shows that 90% of the general public thought it was important for the government to invest in UK universities. UCU said the poll confirmed its own position that investment, not swingeing cuts, was the only way the UK could continue to operate as a global leader in higher education.

The poll comes just a week after a damning international report revealed that the UK is investing less of its gross domestic product in higher education than competitor countries - just 1.3 per cent compared to an average of 1.5 per cent - and that the UK had plummeted down the international graduation rate league table.

Full article at http://www.ucu.org.uk/index.cfm?articleid=5025&from=1676

UK slipping down graduate league

The UK is slipping behind its international rivals in the number of graduates, according to a report. Sally Hunt, head of the UCU lecturers' union, warned that the "coalition government's refusal to fund sufficient university places this summer will come back to haunt us".

Full BBC article here

UCU A day in the life of...

United for education

With the new government set to cut public spending yet further, seven unions representing staff and students in further and higher education have united to form an unprecedented sector-wide coalition, United for Education. This coalition aims to be a vehicle for uniting the entire further and higher education sector to call on the new government to stop the cuts. You can visit the coalition’s website and sign our new online petition here: http://unitedforeducation.org.uk

United for Education is intended to unite the sector. This means including employers wherever possible in our call to stop the funding cuts. Please circulate the joint union petition, which is aimed at the government and also call on your principal or vice chancellor to sign and join the coalition. You can find an online petition here: http://unitedforeducation.org.uk

Day of action: June 21
Please contact other branches on your campus to organise “United for Education” events such as lunchtime meetings, stalls, protests or rallies. We need to begin to build political pressure against the cuts so please also contact your local councillors and MPs and ask them to speak at meetings and rallies on the day.

Strike threat over 'college cuts' at Bradford College

Members of UCU at Bradford College have today voted in favour of both strike action and action short of a strike in their fights to save jobs. Over 81% of UCU members who voted, voted for strike action and 90% voted for action short of a strike.

The union said that today's result was indicative of the strength of feeling among UCU members across the country over savage funding cuts and damaging job losses. Bradford College is looking to make 18 teaching staff redundant and axe courses in counselling, metallurgy and music technology, as well as reducing provision in basic literacy. Read more: https://www.ucu.org.uk/index.cfm?articleid=4571

and at the BBC: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/bradford/8655935.stm

Bradford UCU have their own blog if you want to follow what's happening at the college:
http://bradfordcollegeucu.wordpress.com/

UCU’s Day of Action in Defence of Jobs and Education

Wednesday 5 May saw strikes hit 11 FE colleges in London and three universities in the UK. Picket lines were solid at the 11 FE colleges, at Westminster, Sussex and King’s College London and many branches reported their best attendance for years as members took action in defence of jobs and education.

The strikes were accompanied and supported by a wave of protests that covered the length and breadth of the country. Central London saw a march and rally starting from King’s College and finishing at Church House, Westminster, where there was a rally that packed the meeting room. 100 lecturers also protested outside Croydon college, which has just announced its plans to cut around 80 jobs. In Brighton, UCU members from universities and colleges in the region, including strikers from Sussex University, marched to the Old Ship and held a rally. There were also protests and rallies at Bradford College, which has just voted to take strike action, at Doncaster College, at Bishop Auckland, Redcar and Cleveland, South Tyneside and Middlesbrough colleges.

You can a read a full roundup of the action at: http://www.ucu.org.uk/5may10

Save Philosophy at Middlesex University – SIGN THE PETITION NOW

More than 14,000 people have now signed an online petition to save the Philosophy Department at Middlesex University. Members will probably be aware that last week, the Vice Chancellor’s executive group announced that it was closing the university’s philosophy department in spite of its excellent RAE scores and its international reputation for research and teaching, calling into question the future of humanities departments across the sector.

WHAT YOU CAN DO: A petition to save the department has already got 12000 signatures. You can add your name and support the campaign here: http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/save-middlesex-philosophy.html

UCU survival guide for new staff in further and higher education

UCU has recently launched the first ever survival guide for staff entering further and higher education. The Early Careers Guide was published after a UCU survey of new staff found that many were not receiving the support and information they needed from employers. The guide provides useful tips on a range of issues, including how to find the right job and what staff should expect when they start work. It also gives advice on classroom management and what members should do if they have a problem at work. Read more here: http://www.ucu.org.uk/index.cfm?articleid=4550. Download the guide here: http://www.ucu.org.uk/index.cfm?articleid=3528

April 28th : Workers’ Memorial Day.

Dear Colleague

As you may be aware the UK government has for the first time officially recognised April 28th as Workers’ Memorial Day. To commemorate this occasion Leeds Met UCU have organised an event to be held in New Broadcasting Place in BPGA02 between 11.00 and 13.00 on that day. If you wish to attend reply to j.douglas at leedsmet.ac.uk to confirm your attendance.

A turbulent week for higher education funding

The week started with Sally Hunt on the front of the Guardian condemning vice-chancellors for another round of massive pay rises, despite promises from Ucea that the excessive rises would be reigned in during the tough economic climate. She said it was no surprise that staff had little confidence in greedy VCs who were now threatening jobs to balance the books. Example of angry staff could be found in both Leeds and Sussex, who were due to strike on Thursday. Sterling work from UCU negotiators secured a groundbreaking deal at Leeds, which led to the strike, and the dispute, being called off.

Details of the ‘Leeds deal’ can be found here:
http://leedsucu.wordpress.com/2010/03/18/the-agreement-to-resolve-the-dispute/

At Sussex the picket lines were busy from 7am and throughout the day as staff took part in strong action over the 100+ jobs at risk. Staff also lobbied the senate meeting on Wednesday, helped by young protestors from the institution’s nursery which is threatened with closure. The children handed out daffodils and leaflets calling for senate to throw out plans for job losses and the closure of key services, like the nursery. The strike day coincided with HEFCE announcing that four-fifths of English universities will see their funding decrease in the next academic year. News that Sally Hunt condemned across the media, including appearances on BBC Breakfast and the 1, 6 and 10 o clock news. The BBC also spent a large part of the day down in Sussex covering the strike.
Further reading:
Vice-chancellors’ pay, Guardian
Leeds dispute off
Sally on BBC