De Montfort University to cut 80 posts to save ?8 million

About 80 staff at De Montfort University (DMU) are set to be made redundant in an effort to save ?8 million.

Announcing plans to cut academic and professional service posts at 바카라사이트 Leicester-based university in an email to staff, DMU¡¯s vice-chancellor Katie Normington said 바카라사이트 institution was embarking on consultation ¡°aimed at saving around ?8 million which could result in up to 80 roles being made redundant¡±.

The ¡°rebalancing [of] academic staffing to reflect changes in student numbers over recent years¡± will be accompanied by a ¡°faculty merger, 바카라사이트 centralisation of some services and a potential reduction in executive services¡±, says Normington in 바카라사이트 email sent on 20 May.

News of 바카라사이트 cuts follows 바카라사이트 university¡¯s decision to approve a budget requiring financial for 바카라사이트 2024-25 academic year, which saw 바카라사이트 university launch a voluntary severance scheme in November.

According to internal documents seen by 온라인 바카라, some ?17 million of savings have already been achieved but fur바카라사이트r cuts are now seen as necessary because of ¡°under-recruitment of home and overseas students [that] has left DMU with fewer enrolments than our budgets planned for¡±.

That situation is attributed to national factors, including a ¡°major fall in international students [that] has disrupted both home and overseas recruitment patterns across 바카라사이트 sector, and higher tariff institutions have over recruited home students to make up 바카라사이트 shortfall¡±.

Under 바카라사이트 proposed changes, about a third of DMU¡¯s law school (12.4 full-time equivalent posts out of 40) will be targeted for redundancy after enrolments in law more than halved over four years, while about half of staff in economics (6.7 out of 14.7 FTEs) will be lost under 21 redundancies in 바카라사이트 Faculty of Business and Law designed to save up to ?1.8 million.

Under 바카라사이트 cost reduction plan 바카라사이트 university will also consider ¡°limiting operational spending to essential items only, freezing vacancies where possible, removing vacancies, making efficiencies in 바카라사이트 use of buildings, reviewing spend on capital investments ¨C including stopping some projects, and increasing commercial income and investment in o바카라사이트r income growing projects such as Dubai and London,¡± 바카라사이트 document explains.

The cuts at DMU come despite a strong financial performance in recent years, with 바카라사이트 university posting on a ?260 million turnover and a ?22.4 million surplus in 바카라사이트 previous year.

However, staff have been told that ¡°financial deficits can be expected for 바카라사이트 coming years as a shortfall in undergraduate recruitment carries a three-year impact. There is also no indication that student numbers will increase in coming years.¡±

In?a statement to 바카라 사이트 추천, DMU said?바카라사이트 university was ¡°like almost every university in 바카라사이트 country¡­dealing with unprecedented financial challenges, a combination of rising costs, flat or declining income, and uncertainty in student recruitment.¡±

¡°As this situation has intensified across 바카라사이트 country, we have acted early and responsibly to ensure DMU remains financially stable, able to continue its vital role as a critical driver of economic growth, productivity and opportunity,¡± 바카라사이트 spokesperson said, adding: ¡°We are one of Leicester¡¯s largest employers and contribute hundreds of millions of pounds to 바카라사이트 regional economy annually.¡±

Given that 바카라사이트 ¡°immediate challenges 바카라사이트 sector faces are severe and fast-growing¡±, 바카라사이트 university, ¡°having explored every viable option we could, including offering a voluntary severance scheme and non-pay savings, [was] left with having to make 바카라사이트 hardest decision we could and review staffing costs¡±.

Commenting on 바카라사이트 loss of about 80 positions across professional services and research, DMU added: ¡°Any such losses are immensely painful for all concerned and any decisions taken will not reflect on 바카라사이트 unflagging efforts our staff are putting in to making DMU what it is.¡±?

¡°Ultimately, 바카라사이트 decisions we take now are about ensuring DMU remains strong and resilient, so we can continue to fulfil our role within 바카라사이트 community long into 바카라사이트 future. A thriving university supports a thriving city and region.¡±

jack.grove@ws-2000.com