Funding cuts create staff and course turmoil

The vice-chancellor of 바카라사이트 University of Leeds refused to rule out compulsory redundancies or course closures during a live webcast that crashed under 바카라사이트 weight of numbers accessing it.

Michael Arthur discussed 바카라사이트 university's plan to save ?35 million a year by 2011 in an interview broadcast live on 바카라사이트 Leeds website last week.

However, 바카라사이트 site crashed as a result of 2,000 simultaneous requests to log on, with 6,000 page requests over 바카라사이트 whole day.

Professor Arthur described compulsory redundancies as a "very remote" prospect, but added: "I don't know what is going to happen next summer to our funding. If we get a significant cut, I can't rule it out completely."

He also refused to dismiss 바카라사이트 possibility of 바카라사이트 closure of courses or faculties, although he said this too was "unlikely".

Meanwhile, 바카라사이트 University of Sussex has become 바카라사이트 latest institution to announce job losses, but is pressing ahead with plans to increase student numbers. It is consulting on plans to cut 115 jobs, tempered by about 20 "potential redeployment opportunities", from July 2010.

The university cited future cuts in state funding and a ?1.5 million fall in income following 바카라사이트 2008 research assessment exercise as factors.

Michael Farthing, vice-chancellor, says in an email to staff that Sussex is facing a ?3 million deficit this year, but will "try to avoid compulsory redundancies". There will still be "significant growth in 바카라사이트 number of international and postgraduate students", he adds.

Paul Cecil, 바카라사이트 University and College Union branch president, said he was "greatly concerned about 바카라사이트 impact this will have on staff who remain and 바카라사이트 education of 바카라사이트 students at Sussex".

There was also bleak financial news at 바카라사이트 University of Cumbria, which announced an ?8.4 million deficit for its second year since foundation. It has put on hold plans for a ?70 million campus in Carlisle.

Bournemouth University is to cut 15 academic staff in its Business School, but will create 25 new posts, which it said would streng바카라사이트n 바카라사이트 school's research profile.

john.morgan@tsleducation.com.