Liverpool University protests over department cull

A motion has been tabled in the House of Commons by Peter Kilfoyle, MP for Liverpool Walton, deploring the planned closures of the philosophy, politics and communications and statistics departments. It also backs students and staff in their fight against any closures which will include tomorrow's protest and a lobby of the University Senate meeting at 2pm taking place in the Jack Leggatt Theatre, Victoria Building.

'The proposals are the work of people who know the price of everything, and the value of nothing'
Dr Fionnghuala Sweeney
Liverpool UCU

UCU said Liverpool University could put its proud international reputation at risk if it pushed ahead with knee-jerk cuts based on short-term priorities. The union is seeking a commitment from management that there will be no compulsory redundancies, and that no member of academic staff will be forced onto a teaching-only contract.

Dr Fionnghuala Sweeney, vice-president of the Liverpool University UCU branch, said: 'The proposals are the work of people who know the price of everything, and the value of nothing. We are appalled by the contempt shown for staff and students by the university. Senior management did not even have the decency to consult with trade unions, or provide right of reply to those most immediately affected. It's just as well there is no measure of "management excellence" being applied. If there were, the likelihood is that categories of less than 0* would have to be invented.'

UCU general secretary, Sally Hunt, said: 'Liverpool University must not overreact to the RAE results; institutions do not build long-term reputations for excellence by axing departments on short-term results. The worst thing the university could do would be to rush into any redundancies or closures. Understandably staff at Liverpool are worried and angry about the proposed closures. The university needs to start talking to us and fast. Leaking documents and allowing rumour and uncertainty to spread across campus is not the way to run an institution with a reputation like Liverpool.'

• The full EDM (1013) reads:
  That this House deplores the intention of the University of Liverpool to close down three departments - Philosophy, Politics and Communications and Statistics without any meaningful consultation; supports the resistance of staff and students to the threatened closures; and calls on the University Senate to reject these short-sighted plans of the university's strategic management team.