Students' fears over 'endangered' arts faculty

Nearly 2,000 people have signed a petition launched by students in response to a review proposing cuts to courses and redundancies at the University of Plymouth.

Focussing on proposals for the Arts, Humanities and Business department, it warns the cuts could "endanger the future of creative education at Plymouth".

Proposals, which are under consultation until July, are also understood to place the university's cinema and art gallery "under review" in what one student described as "disproportionate targeting" of the arts.

The University of Plymouth said avoiding compulsory redundancies, whilst protecting the quality of student experience, was its "number one priority".

It comes after the university said about 200 jobs may be affected by budget cuts.

The Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Business, which includes the School of Art, Design and Architecture, has been asked to make £4.6m in savings, according to a document seen by the BBC.

The student petition appeals for the university to "halt" the proposed redundancies and course closures and engage in "transparent consultation" with students and staff.

It requests the "financial rationale" be published in a bid to find "fairer alternative solutions that do not disproportionately target the arts".

The unnamed student behind the petition said: "These cuts endanger the future of creative education at Plymouth and represent a clear departure from the university's stated values of inclusivity, innovation, and interdisciplinary collaboration."

They said staff redundancies could result in students being "left without suitable academic supervision", while international students may seek education elsewhere.

Students have also been creating posters protesting at the proposed cuts and displaying them around the university.

The University and College Union (UCU) has written an open letter to three of the region's MPs outlining the impact of the cuts.

The letter says: "The Schools of Art, Design and Architecture may see the loss of undergraduate programmes in Fine Art, Acting, Drama, Musical Theatre and Music, as well as postgraduate programmes across the School. The Arts & Culture programme, including the public-facing gallery and cinema, which recently hosted events for British Arts Show 9 is also proposed for closure."

The BBC has asked MPs Luke Pollard, Rebecca Smith and Fred Thomas - to whom the letter was addressed - for comment.

The university, which employs more than 2,500 staff and serves more than 19,000 students across its two main campuses said it had to "make savings and difficult decisions" along with the majority of UK universities.

The BBC has asked the university detailed questions about the proposals and their impact, but it declined to answer them.

But, in a statement, it said it was doing everything possible to "look after our staff and avoid compulsory redundancies, whilst protecting the quality of our student experience, which is our number one priority".

It added: "We are reviewing a number of the university's operations during a process of consultation with colleagues that is scheduled for completion in July.

"It would be inappropriate to comment further regarding specific departments until that process has concluded, but we have been in touch with our current students to reassure them and ensure they are aware of support available to them.

"Any changes to our provision will be aimed at making the University of Plymouth more resilient and better able to meet the demands of students, now and into the future."

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