University of Surrey – On Monday (4th March), lecturers at the University of Surrey were told there would be emergency meetings regarding the financial difficulties at the university. This was followed by an all-staff presentation by the Vice chancellor (6th March) that was attended by nearly 1,000 staff. In these meetings, they were told that voluntary redundancies (VS) would be put into place for Senior Staff to come forward and receive a severance package. On Friday, (8th March), lecturers received an email going back on what was previously said in the meetings. Surrey’s School of Literature and Languages and other Schools were told that all levels of teaching could be cut. The call for VS applies to the majority of the Schools, resulting in a certain level of lecturer loss across the University. Those who decide to step forward only have until 18th March to decide to make this life-changing decision. As students, we must be aware of the negative impact this has on our education at Surrey.
The implications of these proposals are dramatic and unprecedented in Surrey’s modern history. These cuts have ramifications across all Schools resulting in a bigger push for online modules, a reduction in module variety (with not enough staff to cover current variety/expansion), and in some areas, maintaining the basic level of provision may become an issue. There is projected to be 100-150 redundancies across all Schools.
Strategies to support our diverse community of research students is largely absent from the current proposals. And for those staff remaining after the restructure, unmanageable workloads will be inevitably result in negative student experience. Currently, Surrey ranks fourth in the country for the National Student Survey (NSS) with an 85.3% student satisfaction overall with Schools such as the School of Literature and Languages ranked fourth by The Guardian in overall satisfaction and other subjects also ranked in the top ten, but this position will not continue if redundancies at this level go forward. The university will no longer be able to offer the same tailored and attentive experience to our students, and this will harm the University’s reputation and growth that have been so central to Surrey’s success.
The financial difficulties presented by the higher ups does not align with how the Schools operate. These financial difficulties are a result of the mismanagement of funds by these higher ups.
It is important to note that amid this call for VS, certain subjects are being targeted. Various Schools are being asked to come forward for VS if they are Senior Staff. Other Schools (Literature and Languages, Hospitality and Tourism Management, Health Sciences, Biosciences, School of Acting, Maths and Physics, Chemistry, and Chemical Engineering) have been told that all levels of teaching are being asked to come forward for VS. If not enough staff take VS then compulsory redundancies will begin. Professional staff such as support staff for students, assessment staff, and IT services are also being heavily targeted in this process. Additionally, the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences is interviewing for three major promotions in the department that include large pay rises.
Student impact is very important, and these redundancies will lead to a quality decrease in education across the University. With cuts to modules and a push for more online-only courses, students will face large changes to their education that could be detrimental in various ways. All disciplines affected are essential and teach critical and nuanced thinking, creativity, communication expertise, and collaboration. They are pivotal to Surrey’s future and to fulfilling our role as an institution of higher education. Surrey’s mission statement outlines its ‘goal to be a leading global university’ and ‘renowned for the outstanding quality and impact of our graduates and research, as well as our collective contributions to society.’ These mission statements cannot be completed without an adequate level of teaching that carries over into the quality of the education system here at Surrey.
As students, we are calling you to:
· Sign this petition and oppose these cuts to university staff and acknowledge the negative impact on students across all Schools.
· Ask for a freeze on the FASS restructure promotional hiring.
· Ask for a financial freeze on planned university projects
Contact
Vice Chancellor – Max Lu (vco@surrey.ac.uk)
In 2019, Lu received an 86% rating of no confidence but nothing was done about this/swept under the rugGoogle ‘Max Lu Surrey salary’
Provost – Tim Dunne (t.dunne@surrey.ac.uk)
Heads of Schools
Local government
The media
Parents – tell them to contact those above as well
People at other universities
Authors, researchers – anyone you think will care!
Spread the word on social media!
This is an issue that affects teaching in all fields. While certain Schools are being targeted, everyone will be affected.Twitter/x: @SaveSurreySLLInstagram: @SupportSurreySLL
