Protesters wave placards at University of Gloucestershire
Protesters at the University of Gloucestershire have claimed a victory over education bosses.
Members of the University and College Union (UCU) waved placards at the university's Park campus in Cheltenham this morning. They were there to protest against job losses and the sale of the London and Pittville campuses.
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The demonstration was timed to coincide with an informal visit by the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) ahead of an inspection next month.
Around 50 UCU members gathered to show their strength of feeling. They want to safeguard jobs and say student learning is jeopardised by staff losses.
A ballot on strike action is due to take place if university bosses refuse to withdraw redundancy notices by tomorrow.
For more details on the protest see Friday's Echo.
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by Harriet, S. Wales
Tuesday, January 26 2010, 1:06PM
“I'd have been protesting if I could have got the time off work.
A university cannot function well without good tutors - and that is who they are going to make redundant.
Despite what 'Alien Life' says about entry grades; I was an ABB A Level student, and decided to go to Uni of Glos because the department (one of which they are going to make cuts from) was so good. And it has continued to develop to a higher and higher standard in the last few years, which is why I returned there for my MA (after gaining a 1st for my BA(hons); it had the most challenging programme I found in my subject matter.
If the university wants to make cuts, they should first look at the 'Managers' who got them into such a mess in the first instance.”
by (:, (:
Sunday, January 24 2010, 4:31PM
“Depending on the subject your studying, in my eyes its pretty much a poor university really.”
by Alan, Cheltenham
Friday, January 22 2010, 2:47PM
“DaveF, Cheltenham - I believe Alien Life UK is a bit out of his depth here! Guarantee he is a person without a degree o)”
by Kevin, Cheltenham
Friday, January 22 2010, 12:03PM
“It really sticks in my throat when people like Mr Robinson make unfounded and inflammatory comments about lecturers and their pay.
Our agreed pay rise this year is similar to the County Council/Local Government pay rise.
My average pay rise over the last 30 years has been around 2%-3% a year.
Get your fact right before you write such comments.”
by DaveF, Cheltenham
Friday, January 22 2010, 8:58AM
“AlienLife - check your facts. The entry requirements are upa round ABB or higher for most courses. The Uni is rated 35 out of more than 100 in the recent NSS survey and punches above its weight on most Uni league tables. It baffles me that so many local people are against it and try to rubbish it at every turn. It's a good Uni and contributes a huge amount to the local economy. Is it just envy from local people with no ambition for intellectual development? Who knows, but you'll miss it if it goes.”
by standee, The University of Life (just passing through)
Friday, January 22 2010, 12:08AM
“Today we did sums
Thirty six million pounds
Another lesson learned”
by Alien Life UK, Here and There
Thursday, January 21 2010, 11:53PM
“Is it a real university? What's the grade of A levels to get in? D,E or F?”
by Mrs Robinson, Gloucestershire
Thursday, January 21 2010, 9:51PM
“How can anyone take this Union seriously when they are still claiming an 8% pay rise for University staff? Take off your rose tinted spectacles and get a grip on reality.”
by Ryan Curtis, Cheltenham
Thursday, January 21 2010, 9:10PM
“Actually a lot of us thought Ian K was rather good - but he got made redundant last summer. Try to keep up.”
by Penny Brinnen, undergraduate student, Fretherne
Thursday, January 21 2010, 7:13PM
“I attended the protest this morning and listened to the Communications Officer - at some length - explaining that the economic downturn and government cutbacks were the reasons why the University is 36 million pounds in debt. He did not deny that management was partly to blame, instead he suggested that 'everyone makes mistakes'. Another triumph for well paid executives?”