Nottingham and the fight against the cuts in Further and Higher Education

 

This forum on the future of Further and Higher Education took place at Nottingham University on 26 January 2011.

The Forum brought together representatives and speakers from trade unions as well as student groups representing local further education colleges and universities to exchange information about the specific challenges they face and to discuss potential joint strategies at the local and regional level against fees and cuts.

Speakers included Sara Motta from the School of Politics and International Relations at Nottingham University, David Pike from Nottingham Students Against Fees and Cuts, Rosi Smith from UCU South Nottingham College, Alan Barker from UCU New College Nottingham, Marcus a student from Djanogly City Academy as well as Andreas Bieler from the UCU at the University of Nottingham.

After an opening address by Sara Motta emphasising the importance of establishing independent spaces for learning, Rosi Smith and Alan Barker highlighted the pressures faced by Further Education Colleges as a result of government cuts. The imposition of tougher working conditions as well as job losses are the likely imminent future across the sector. This comes also as a result of the cut of Education Maintenance Allowances (EMAs), which would prevent many students from poorer backgrounds going onto Further Education, as was confirmed by Marcus from the Djanogly City Academy.

David Pike from the students group, which had occupied the Great Hall at Nottingham University, however, also pointed to the successes of the students' movement including the large demonstrations in London and the optimistic mood among activists.   Now is the time to ensure that this mood is translated into concrete action.

Andreas Bieler, finally, suggested that feelings of security at Nottingham University due to the University's healthy financial situation could be a dangerous illusion. Cuts to the Arts and Humanities and Social Sciences as a result of an ever increasing pressure on the use and applicability of teaching and research would affect the University as much as other education institutions. Equally, the divide of Higher Education into a two-tier system will increase the pressure on institutions in the top tier and make it more difficult to defend salaries and working conditions at all institutions.

UCU Campaign Group

Subsequent to the Forum it has been decided to establish a local Campaign Group which will develop strategies for the mobilisation of union members in view of the cuts and fees in Higher Education in general and the forthcoming ballots and potential industrial action in particular.  Any interested member is welcome to join this group.  Information about the first meeting will be circulated very soon.

Campaign for the Public University

This campaign was also mentioned at the Forum, and may be of interest to many members.  The UK Campaign for the Public University is open to all. It is a broad-based campaign with no party or other political affiliation. It has been initiated by a group of university teachers and graduate students seeking to defend and promote the idea of the university as a public good. We believe that the public university is essential both for cultivating democratic public life and creating the means for individuals to find fulfillment in creative and intellectual pursuits regardless of whether or not they pursue a degree programme.  Another related group is “Humanities and Social Sciences Matter”.  You can find out more about both these groups on their web sites:

http://publicuniversity.org.uk/

http://humanitiesmatter.wordpress.com/

3 February 2011