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Protest at University of Southampton over course closure and job cuts

23 March 2010

Staff and students at the University of Southampton will join forces on 25 March to protest against plans to axe sports studies.

The demonstration, which has been organised by UCU will begin at 3pm opposite the Jubilee Sports Centre. Students will dress up in sports gear and lobby the university's council as they arrive to discuss the cuts.
 
The plans to axe the popular sport studies undergraduate programme would see the loss of 12 posts. UCU is demanding to know why the cuts are being made when there are 11 applicants per place. The union says the university has failed to carry out a proper review into the impact of the proposed cuts or properly consulted with staff prior to the proposal being made public.
 
Staff and students on the sports studies course run a number of successful voluntary and outreach projects and the course has developed a number of close links with the local community. Course lecturers say the decision makes no sense with the Olympics coming to Britain next summer and students fear their degrees will be tainted by the cuts.
 
Ian Hamilton, who teaches sports development at Southampton and is a UCU member, said: 'There is no logic for making these cuts whatsoever. The course is incredibly popular and well-respected and does fantastic voluntary work within the local community. It beggars belief that the university does not recognise the tremendous potential the subject area has, especially with the Olympics on the horizon.'
 
Will Harvey, a third year sports studies student, said: 'Students here are angry at the way this whole process has been handled. Management has failed to address our concerns and just come out with a series of scripted answers. Why are staff, who have put so much time and effort into the courses, being treated in this way? I am worried that the planned closures will affect the creditability of my degree, which would be a great shame as the quality of teaching has been excellent.'
Last updated: 11 December 2015

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