Current Affairs (National)
HE news
HE news is a regular newsletter circulated to HE branches and local associations.
HE news: issue 32, Dec 2011 - available now:
- USS dispute
- National Claim 2012-13
- National Ratification Panel
- Private Providers in HE
- Research Excellence Framework
- UCAS Admissions Review
- Government reforms to Employment Law
- Shared Services and Outsourcing
- Public Sector Equality Duty
- LGBT History month
- Annual Meetings
- Defence of Public Education Conference
HE news, no.32, Dec 2011 (.pdf)
... and related
This is a twice yearly newsletter for Academic-Related (APM) staff. The latest edition (Spring/Summer 2011) can be found here.
Top News Items (Updated: Friday 3rd February 2012)
Links to full news items on UCU national web site
Government announces review of college staff development 2 February 2012 UCU today welcomed the news that there will be an independent review of staff development in further education but said that in order to meet its remit it must hear directly from front-line workers.
UCU Scotland comments on University Governance report 2 February 2012 UCU Scotland welcomes a report calling for increased involvement of staff and student unions in the governance of universities.
Fewer English students applying to Scottish universities, figures show 30 January 2012 The number of English students applying to Scottish universities has fallen 5.6% according to figures released by the university admissions service UCAS.
University applications in England drop by 10% 30 January 2012 UCU has responded to news today that 10% fewer people have applied to English universities compared to this time last year.
Government funding plans 'a disaster' for universities 25 January 2012 Responding to the release of the higher education funding letter today, UCU said that the government's funding plans were an untried experiment that would be disastrous for the UK's academic reputation.
Government should listen to President Obama on university funding plans 25 January 2012 UCU today said the government should listen to President Obama's 'timely reminder' about the importance of funding education and university research.
Government shelves higher education privatisation plans 24 January 2012 UCU today welcomed reports that American-style government plans to allow private for-profit companies access to publicly-subsidised student loans have been shelved.
Latest on the TPS dispute 23 January 2012 On Friday 20 January, the national executive committee (NEC) of UCU voted to reject the government's reforms of the Teachers' Pension Scheme (TPS).
New figures reveal fall in the number of university teachers as student numbers increase 19 January 2012 UCU today warned that class sizes in higher education could rise after new figures revealed that the number of staff teaching in the sector had fallen as student numbers increased.
Government policy risks privatisation, job cuts and worse deal for students, warns union 18 January 2012 UCU today (Wednesday) said the government's untried experiment of shifting the burden of funding degrees from the state to the student was causing chaos at universities and putting courses, jobs and even universities at risk.
Imminent funding plans for universities must do more to help lost generation of students 18 January 2012 UCU said today that the imminent grant letter from the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE), which details how much funding will be available for university teaching budgets, must provide an urgent boost for the one million young people out of work.
Adult nurse training to be cut by over 20% in London 17 January 2012 UCU today warned that patient care in London could be put at risk after NHS London announced that it would be reducing the number of adult nurse training places at universities in the capital by over 20% from next autumn.
University of Sussex warned against taking 'hammer' to adult learning 13 January 2012 UCU today warned the University of Sussex that it risked taking a 'hammer' to adult learning in the county, after it confirmed that it was pushing ahead with plans to close its Centre for Community Engagement (CCE).
UCU calls for greater scrutiny of VCs and principals' pay 9 January 2012 UCU today said David Cameron's call for more scrutiny to be given to executives' pay should be extended to further and higher education after it was revealed that the heads of the Russell Group universities received an average of almost £318,000 in pay and benefits last year.
Government funding for university teaching and research to fall to lowest proportion in over a century, report warns 5 January 2012 The government's university funding reforms will see annual public spending^ on teaching and research in England fall to its lowest proportion in over a century, according to analysis published today by UCU.