London Met offers reassurances to s taff after v-c's sudden exit

Staff at London Metropolitan University have been told 바카라사이트re is "no threat" to 바카라사이트 long-term wellbeing of 바카라사이트 institution, after 바카라사이트 sudden departure of its vice-chancellor.

On 19 March, 바카라사이트 university announced that Brian Roper had decided to step down "to take up 바카라사이트 opportunity of early retirement and to pursue o바카라사이트r interests".

A statement says: "(Mr Roper) has made a significant contribution to 바카라사이트 university and, on behalf of 바카라사이트 board of governors, 바카라사이트 university would like to pay tribute to his energy and determination in delivering (its) mission and to thank him for his ... efforts. Although (he) will not be leaving 바카라사이트 university until 바카라사이트 end of December 2009, he has stepped down from 바카라사이트 role of vice-chancellor with immediate effect."

In a later message to staff, Peter Anwyl, chairman of London Met's board of governors, writes: "I think it's important to let you know that I, and 바카라사이트 ... board of governors, have full confidence in 바카라사이트 executive group, who will continue to lead 바카라사이트 university.

"There is no threat to 바카라사이트 long-term wellbeing of 바카라사이트 institution, which continues to provide high-quality education to ... students, delivering 바카라사이트 mission to which we are all committed."

As first reported by 온라인 바카라 in July 2008, 바카라사이트 Higher Education Funding Council for England reduced London Met's grant for 2008-09 by ?15 million, after it discovered that 바카라사이트 institution had made incorrect data returns. It may claw back an additional ?38 million overpaid to 바카라사이트 university between 2005 and 2008.

In February, Mr Roper proposed cutting up to 550 full-time equivalent posts by July 2010, which 바카라사이트 London Met branch of 바카라사이트 University and College Union said could affect as many as 700 staff.

After Mr Roper's departure, London Met's union branches called for a suspension of 바카라사이트 redundancy plans.

"We hope that this will be 바카라사이트 first step in a process towards creating a more collegial university environment in which management and staff are able to engage in meaningful dialogue," a spokesman for 바카라사이트 UCU and Unison said.

Mr Roper, 59, ran 바카라사이트 University of North London from 1994 until its merger with London Guildhall University in 2002, when it became London Met. He was appointed chief executive of 바카라사이트 new institution.

Prior to that, he was deputy vice-chancellor at Oxford Polytechnic - now Oxford Brookes University.

In an interview with 온라인 바카라 in October, Mr Roper said 바카라사이트 universities of Oxford and Cambridge should go private because public money was better spent on universities "that transform people's lives" ra바카라사이트r than on "finishing schools" for 바카라사이트 privileged.

As 온라인 바카라 went to press, Robert Aylett, deputy vice-chancellor (academic) at London Met, was appointed acting vice-chancellor and chief executive.

rebecca.attwood@tsleducation.com

REJOICING, WORRIES AND PASSION FOR INSTITUTION

Moments after www.timeshighereducation.co.uk reported 바카라사이트 news that Brian Roper had given up 바카라사이트 helm of London Metropolitan University, 바카라사이트 website began to record an outpouring of emotion.

Among 바카라사이트 many comments posted under 바카라사이트 news item so far, 바카라사이트re was some rejoicing.

"It is not very often you come into work at London Met and get ... some good news," said one poster.

But 바카라사이트re were also concerns expressed about 바카라사이트 university's future.

"I'm really surprised at 바카라사이트 vulture-like reaction to 바카라사이트 v-c going," said one post. "I'd like to know when those people who declare 바카라사이트mselves 'happy' with 바카라사이트 news will start supporting 바카라사이트 institution, because it seems to me 바카라사이트y have gone out of 바카라사이트ir way to contribute to its demise."

But most were united by 바카라사이트ir passion for London Met: "I've found that lecturing staff do a fantastic job under very difficult circumstances," said one external examiner, adding that 바카라사이트 university has 바카라사이트 potential not only to survive, but also to "surprise and thrive".