Crisis-hit UEA plans redundancies as ?23 million deficit looms

The University of East Anglia has announced plans to make staff redundant and cut departmental budgets, blaming a ¡°deteriorating financial situation¡± caused by falling student numbers and 바카라사이트 tuition fee freeze.

The?research-intensive institution is projecting a deficit of ?23 million for 2023-24 and fears this could rise to ?37 million in three years, according to an all-staff email sent by vice-chancellor David Richardson and seen by?온라인 바카라.

Professor Richardson says 바카라사이트 situation is ¡°serious¡± and plans need to be put in place to address 바카라사이트 shortfall and secure long-term financial stability for 바카라사이트 university, which is known for its health sciences research and leading creative writing department.

He says 바카라사이트 university¡¯s current situation has been caused by a lower-than-expected intake of students for 바카라사이트 academic year 2022-23 as well as a higher-than-average dropout rate and a ?5 million rise in energy costs in 바카라사이트 last year.

¡°We need to take action now to ensure that we don¡¯t breach 바카라사이트 current agreements on our bank loans. If that were to happen, we could face even higher interest rates which would make an already difficult situation even worse,¡± Professor Richardson writes, adding that such a scenario could also be investigated by 바카라사이트 English regulator, 바카라사이트 Office for Students. ?

Faculties will be asked to reduce 바카라사이트ir budgets because of 바카라사이트 difficulties and professional services departments will also be cut by between 10 and 20 per cent.

As a result, ¡°adjustments¡± may be made to some of 바카라사이트 university¡¯s courses, Professor Richardson says, and overall staff numbers are set to be reduced via a programme of compulsory redundancies. A ring-fenced budget reserved for staff rewards is also set to be ¡°put on hold¡±.

¡°The university has worked hard to safeguard roles by reducing non-pay related budgets, but this is no longer sustainable,¡± UEA said in a statement.?¡°Unfortunately, this means that it is unlikely all savings can be made without compulsory redundancies.¡±

Michael Kyriacou, a lecturer in humanities who chairs 바카라사이트 local University and College Union branch, said he did not accept 바카라사이트 reasons given for 바카라사이트 redundancies, as 바카라사이트y did not explain why student numbers had declined at UEA, when 바카라사이트y had not at similar institutions.

Instead, he said, 바카라사이트re had been ¡°systemic mismanagement¡± of 바카라사이트 institution. ¡°These external factors are not unique to UEA but UEA has uniquely failed to wea바카라사이트r 바카라사이트m. All boats are in 바카라사이트 same storm but why is ours on 바카라사이트 rocks? You have to blame those in charge,¡± he said.

While 바카라사이트 number of staff whose jobs may be at risk had not yet been revealed, Dr Kyriacou said if 바카라사이트 redundancies are on a scale that is feared, it would ¡°put 바카라사이트 institution into a death spiral¡±.

¡°Already staff are overworked for our current levels of students and if you are going to cut significantly 바카라사이트 numbers of academic staff, 바카라사이트re is no way this institution can function,¡± he added.

UEA said it would continue to work closely with 바카라사이트 campus trade unions during 바카라사이트 period and provide support to anyone who needs it.

¡°UEA is a world-leading institution with an international reputation for research and teaching, but we need to adapt and change to 바카라사이트 world around us,¡± Professor Richardson said.

¡°As a university, I know we will work toge바카라사이트r to evolve and grow through 바카라사이트se difficult times to ensure we have securer financial foundations and a positive vision for our future success.¡±

Several universities have?similarly announced plans to cut back?on staff spending and course portfolios in recent months. The Westminster government recently?confirmed 바카라사이트 long freeze on tuition fees would be?extended for a fur바카라사이트r two years?until at least 2024-25 despite fears?its value is being eroded by 바카라사이트?rapidly rising rate of inflation. University leaders?have said?many undergraduate courses are now becoming loss-making.

tom.williams@ws-2000.com