Protests at two Scottish universities as ruling bodies plan to cut courses

Published on Wednesday 22 June 2011 15:27

ANGRY protests broke out yesterday over plans to cut courses at two of Scotland's largest universities.

Demonstrations took place on the campuses of Glasgow and Strathclyde universities as the ruling bodies held meetings over proposed cuts.

Glasgow aims to save up to 20 million and Strathclyde up to 12m by cutting arts and social science degrees.

Previously proposed cuts at Glasgow have already been scaled back, with a reprieve for a number of language courses.

But last night, Strathclyde's Senate recommended closure of courses. Its ruling court will have a final say on 28 June.

The plans to close community education courses, among others at Strathclyde University, were condemned as "deeply disappointing" and "short-sighted". Jim Sweeney, chief executive of YouthLink Scotland, said community education graduates were crucial to rebuilding Scotland's economy. He said cutting the degrees would be a "real blow" to Scotland's ability to provide a world-class education.

He said: "This is a deeply disappointing and short-sighted decision that will have a significant, negative impact on individuals and communities across West and Central Scotland.

"Scottish education and society need highly skilled and motivated youth and community education staff to support the rebuilding of Scotland's economy.

"Until now, Strathclyde played a crucial role in the education and training of these individuals.

"The loss of these courses will be a real blow to Scotland's ongoing ability to provide world-class education."

At Glasgow, Slavonic studies, a liberal arts course at its Crichton Campus in Dumfries, and adult education courses are threatened. It said last night that its centre for drug misuse research would also close. At Strathclyde, closure plans will affect applied music, community education, geography and sociology. Officials at Glasgow have said they must take action in tough times. However, student leaders said it makes no sense to cut courses until the Scottish Government announces budgets for higher education next year.

A joint staff and student motion to the Senate at Strathclyde criticised the speed of the consultation and it being undertaken during exam time.

Philip Whyte, president of Strathclyde Students' Association, said: "We have consistently made the argument for these courses based on issues of access, provision, and quality - all of which have stood up to scrutiny.

"For Senate to ignore these and focus on placating managements' vision of a narrowly defined technological university is not just ridiculous, it's scandalous."

A Strathclyde spokesman said the proposals would focus resources to strengthen the arts faculty. He said humanities and social science remained the largest faculty at Strathclyde.He added: "These proposals will allow the faculty to build its research profile, deliver teaching excellence, and make an even greater impact on society through the development of a strong public policy portfolio.

"Strathclyde's distinctiveness, and its ability to bring together the humanities and social sciences, business, science, and engineering, within an international technological university, gives Scotland real competitive advantage as it continues to grow a high-value economy."