Plans to axe nearly one in five jobs at Arts University Bournemouth will damage student learning, says UNISON today (Friday).
The university has announced proposals to make 93 staff redundant, the equivalent of 19% of its total workforce, with 195 employees receiving letters to say they are at risk of losing their jobs.
Jobs affected include library assistants, marketing, HR and administrative staff, and technician demonstrators – student-facing workers who deliver hands-on learning.
Under the proposals, the technician demonstrators would be spread across different subject areas, rather than tied to specific courses, which the union says would undermine the tailored support students currently receive.
The cuts follow what the university described as a period of poor financial management. The previous vice-chancellor and finance director have left, but the union says frontline staff and students are bearing the brunt of the fallout.
Students have staged protests in opposition to the plans; warning course closures and reduced support services will seriously harm their education.
UNISON Bournemouth Higher and Further Education representative Preeti Sood said: “Staff are being made to pay for the poor financial decisions of the past. These proposals are drastic and short-sighted.
“Cutting staff numbers is a false economy. Technician demonstrators play a crucial role in the student experience. Removing or diluting their roles means less practical support, fewer learning opportunities and a lower standard of education.
“If these plans go ahead, those left behind will face unmanageable workloads and students will suffer.
“The university should work with UNISON to protect jobs, safeguard the student experience and rebuild confidence, without resorting to compulsory redundancies
