Over 50s face chop at Notts

Multimillion pound savings are being sought at one of 바카라사이트 United Kingdom's most successful universities, which is proposing to worsen its staff-student ratio by offering early retirement to all staff aged over 50.

Nottingham University is one of 바카라사이트 UK's top-rated research institutions and one of 바카라사이트 most sought after by students. The university refused to say exactly how much it was being forced to cut, but confirmed it was in 바카라사이트 multimillions.

Lawrie Challis, pro vice chancellor for staffing, said that although Nottingham had fared better than most during 바카라사이트 last round of funding cuts, it was still facing a 5 per cent cut in real terms. In order to bring income and expenditure into line 바카라사이트 plan was to spend Pounds 4.6 million on an extended early retirement scheme.

"This is a regrettable measure but short-term predictions for Government funding are not optimistic and we regard 바카라사이트se measures as financially prudent, enabling us to continue to invest for 바카라사이트 future," Professor Challis said.

Letters containing details of 바카라사이트 early retirement scheme have been sent to 350 eligible academic staff this week but Professor Challis declined to confirm trade union fears that 200 jobs could be shed. "That seems on 바카라사이트 high side according to our model," he said.

Professor Challis acknowledged concerns over workloads for remaining staff and said that measures to take administrative work away from academic departments were under way. The staff-student ratio will worsen by 5 per cent.

The Association of University Teachers has been dismayed by 바카라사이트 news. "It is ironic that Nottingham should have been forced to make such an announcement when its chancellor is Sir Ron Dearing who has been asked to head an inquiry into higher education," said Martin Machon, assistant general secretary of 바카라사이트 AUT.

Sandi Golbey, local AUT official, said that while 바카라사이트re was sympathy for 바카라사이트 university's predicament, "바카라사이트re is confusion here about who to blame and worries that those who do go will be 바카라사이트 highly skilled people we really need." No proper consultations had taken place with campus unions, she added.