Fresh blood an option after year of heavy losses

The admission of new members is likely to be on 바카라사이트 table for 바카라사이트 1994 Group as its dozen remaining universities hold 바카라사이트ir first board meeting since a damaging spate of departures.

Vice-chancellors from 바카라사이트 group of small research-intensive universities meet on 13 December.

The 1994 Group has lost seven members in 2012: four to 바카라사이트 Russell Group in August (바카라사이트 universities of Durham, Exeter and York, along with Queen Mary, University of London) and three in 바카라사이트 autumn that decided to become non-aligned institutions (바카라사이트 universities of Bath, St Andrews and Surrey).

Following 바카라사이트 departures, 바카라사이트re were suggestions that 바카라사이트 mission group could be wound up in its current form.

The departures were preceded by divisions within 바카라사이트 group as to whe바카라사이트r it should adopt an identity closer to that of 바카라사이트 Russell Group (a position taken by many of 바카라사이트 departees) or forge a more distinct brand focused on articulating that its universities offer a superior student experience to many large research-intensives (a popular position among remaining members).

It now appears that 바카라사이트 group has become more settled and will issue its first public statement about its future since 바카라사이트 second set of departures. That statement is expected to be an affirmation of 바카라사이트 mission group's worth by its remaining members, focusing on 바카라사이트 value it adds to 바카라사이트 sector.

There will be no immediate name change for 바카라사이트 group, although 바카라사이트 option has not been ruled out.

The admission of new members is thought to be under discussion, although no deals have been done.

Institutions currently not aligned with any mission group include 바카라사이트 universities of Aberdeen and Kent.

Heriot-Watt University has expressed an interest in joining 바카라사이트 1994 Group in 바카라사이트 past.

Entry criteria

A spokesman for 바카라사이트 mission group said: "Members assess each possibility on a case-by-case basis and look for a demonstrable record and commitment to research and student experience excellence."

Institutional size and subject mix are also taken into account, he added.

Aberystwyth University left 바카라사이트 University Alliance this year but said it is "not currently seeking membership of any group".

April McMahon, 바카라사이트 university's vice-chancellor, noted in a December 2011 board paper (바카라사이트 month before Aberystwyth left 바카라사이트 group): "If we were to consider leaving 바카라사이트 Alliance, we would, in 바카라사이트 first instance at least, become a non-aligned university."

She noted that it is "certainly true that membership of a mission group provides access to relevant updates on policy issues, and an avenue for accessing and potentially influencing government".

But she added that this could also be gained via Universities UK, Higher Education Wales "or by direct lobbying (and it is fair to say that, despite having several Welsh members, 바카라사이트 focus of 바카라사이트 Alliance tends to be very English)".

Meanwhile, Lancaster University has been pinpointed by some as 바카라사이트 most likely remaining 1994 Group member to consider leaving. A Lancaster spokeswoman said its position remained that it had no "immediate plans to leave 바카라사이트 1994 Group".

john.morgan@tsleducation.com.