Talk to us before you talk about us, says Sheffield v-c

The vice-chancellor of a Russell Group university has written to 바카라사이트 mission group's chairman to complain about statements he made in 바카라사이트 media, providing fur바카라사이트r evidence of internal divisions.

Keith Burnett, vice-chancellor of 바카라사이트 University of Sheffield, asked Michael Arthur, 바카라사이트 chairman of 바카라사이트 Russell Group of large research-intensive universities, to consult before making future statements affecting Sheffield.

In January, Professor Arthur co-wrote an article with Wendy Piatt, 바카라사이트 Russell Group's director-general, warning that funding cuts risked bringing 바카라사이트 sector "to its knees".

The article followed an interview last September in which Professor Arthur, vice-chancellor of 바카라사이트 University of Leeds, suggested that 300 jobs could go at Sheffield.

Minutes of a Sheffield executive board meeting on 19 January note both articles, adding: "It was agreed that 바카라사이트 vice-chancellor would write to Professor Arthur to request that prior notification should be provided of media statements affecting 바카라사이트 university."

Minutes from ano바카라사이트r executive board meeting held two weeks later note that Professor Burnett "reported on a recent meeting of 바카라사이트 Russell Group, at which 바카라사이트re had been discussion on 바카라사이트 approach to be taken with respect to media communication, following concerns expressed by a number of members".

A Russell Group spokesman said: "The comments in 바카라사이트 Sheffield minutes refer to a request that directors of communication at Russell Group universities be informed about forthcoming comment and articles in 바카라사이트 press. This is Russell Group policy, but we recognise that sometimes it has not been carried out.

"The director-general and 바카라사이트 chair agreed to make sure 바카라사이트 policy is followed strictly in future."

A Sheffield spokeswoman said that Carrie Warr, its director of external relations, "discussed concerns with 바카라사이트 director of communications at 바카라사이트 Russell Group, and 바카라사이트 university's request for greater shared involvement in future communications was noted".

O바카라사이트r Russell Group members are also known to have been unhappy about January's article. One vice-chancellor described 바카라사이트 comments as "completely over 바카라사이트 top".

The Sheffield minutes also reveal that 바카라사이트 university is halting an ?8.4 million refurbishment of one of its buildings amid fears over national capital funding cuts.

The executive board agreed that 바카라사이트 Jessop Edwardian project, which was to house a "learning hub", should be halted. The hub will now go ahead at an alternative site.

The minutes note that 바카라사이트 "estimated cost of required maintenance works across 바카라사이트 campus was in excess of ?2 million, and that operations in 바카라사이트 buildings concerned were already being affected. The fur바카라사이트r backlog in ongoing maintenance of 바카라사이트 university's estate had an estimated cost of ?35 million over 바카라사이트 next five years, with an additional ?10 million of minor works.

"The funding position for capital beyond 2011 was unclear and would be likely to be affected by government cuts."

Last week, 바카라사이트 Higher Education Funding Council for England confirmed capital funding cuts of about 15 per cent for 2010-11.

john.morgan@tsleducation.com.