In the news: 22 April

UCU responds to proposed 'University Centre' in Hastings

UCU this week responded to talk of a new 'University Centre' in Hastings which it fears could weaken education provision in the region.

UCU's Mark Abel told the Hastings Observer that higher education must be preserved the area and 'the effect of this is to distract attention from the reality of the intention which is to close the University's Hastings Campus, and to withdraw from the town.'

Cambridge MP joins UCU to oppose cuts

Cambridge MP, Daniel Zeichner, will join staff from Cambridge Regional College at a protest about a cost-cutting drive which spells job losses and a potential narrowing of courses for students.

UCU regional official, Lydia Richards, said: 'Staff are proud of the hard work and commitment they have put into the college which is rated 'good' by Ofsted, despite the ongoing challenge of restructuring and job losses.'

Daniel Zeichner MP echoed UCU's concerns, saying 'Cambridge Regional College students and staff are at the sharp end and are bearing the brunt of government cuts and reorganisations. At a time when we rightly want all young people to stay in education until 18 years old, we need to be scaling up resources and opportunities, not cutting back.'

Worst Universities 'win' Laurie Taylor's Insecurity Rankings Award

The Times Higher's Laurie Taylor has used UCU's recent casualisation survey to poke fun at the obsession with rankings in the higher education sector. In the latest satirical Poppletonian article, he describes how some universities have come top of the 'insecurity rankings.'

UCU seeks advice on University of Edinburgh staff monitoring plans

UCU reacted to the news of plans at the University of Edinburgh to require employees to inform managers if they leave their 'normal place of work' for half a day or longer.

Speaking to Times Higher Education and the Independent a spokesman for the UCU branch at Edinburgh said, 'We have some concerns about the way these proposals are being rolled out.  We're currently consulting with members and seeking advice on how to ensure that any staff monitoring by the university is done in a fair and proportionate manner.'