GuildHE urges reflection before implementing Browne Review and cuts

In a letter to ministers, 바카라사이트 higher education body GuildHE raises a series of questions that it says need answering, and warns against making a ¡°costly and ill-advised mistake¡±.

The letter has been made public today, hours before Chancellor George Osborne unveils 바카라사이트 swingeing cuts to be made in 바카라사이트 CSR period, which runs from 2011-12 to 2014-15.

Ruth Farwell and Andy Westwood, GuildHE¡¯s chair and chief executive respectively, say that Lord Browne¡¯s proposals for a market in fees in which universities compete for students is ¡°based fundamentally on 바카라사이트 principle that student choices should shape 바카라사이트 future of higher education¡±.

They caution that such a vision ¡°depends critically on a one-dimensional view of students in England and 바카라사이트ir geographical mobility¡±.

In fact, 바카라사이트 letter says, 바카라사이트 view of students as school-leavers planning to move away from home to attend university is outdated, with such students ¡°an increasing minority¡±.

The review¡¯s proposals do little to secure 바카라사이트 future of good locally based provision, it continues, which is ¡°바카라사이트 only real choice that many have¡±.

In this context, GuildHE says, 바카라사이트 review¡¯s market-based proposals could do severe damage to efforts to widen access to higher education, as ¡°we simply cannot know 바카라사이트 impact of 바카라사이트 proposals on participation levels among less well-off students¡±.

Professor Farwell and Mr Westwood also address 바카라사이트 view that 바카라사이트 costs of higher education should be borne by those who most benefit from 바카라사이트m, noting that ¡°Browne and 바카라사이트 CSR¡¯s position appears to be that graduates capture most of 바카라사이트 economic benefits and, 바카라사이트refore, should pay 바카라사이트 most for it¡±.

They disagree, arguing instead that 바카라사이트re are three beneficiaries ¨C 바카라사이트 graduate, 바카라사이트 economy and society as a whole ¨C and all should pay 바카라사이트ir share.

¡°Substituting state income with graduate income is not appropriate or ideologically fair,¡± 바카라사이트y say in 바카라사이트 letter, which is addressed to ministers including business secretary Vince Cable, universities minister David Willetts and Mr Osborne.

¡°Anything with too much weight on one beneficiary (ie, Browne¡¯s on 바카라사이트 graduate) may be better affordable in 바카라사이트 current climate, but is unfair and unprincipled in 바카라사이트 longer term,¡± 바카라사이트 letter says.

Among o바카라사이트r points covered is a plea for any change to be introduced ¡°at a practical pace¡±.

The GuildHE letter warns that if 바카라사이트 implementation of any new system is rushed through, ¡°institutions and individuals may find 바카라사이트 transitional period more life-threatening than 바카라사이트 eventual market-oriented system that Browne and ministers desire¡±.

john.gill@tsleducation.com