Dear Steve West,
On the 7th of December 2010 at 4.35pm, less than two days before the vote on tuition fees, you emailed a letter to all UWE students. Many students and staff at UWE have already shared their disappointment and disagreements about this letter at the camp for education, in the corridors and through emails.
Many students and staff are currently extremely busy influencing MPs to abstain or vote against tripled tuition fees, preparing for and promoting a number of actions today and tomorrow.
We regret that you sent your letter two days before the vote, that you distracted us from crucial last minutes efforts before the vote. Moreover, it seems to us that there is little point in having a ‘big debate’ on the 14th of December, after the vote on tuition fees!
Once the vote is over, the camp for education will facilitate a process for students and staff to answer your letter point by point.
For the time being, we only have time to make the following three points.
1. At no point in your communication, you have questioned the democratic legitimacy of the government's proposal to increase tuition fees. Indeed, LibDems were elected on the basis of a pledge not to increase tuition fees. Moreover, your position portrays cuts to Higher Education as necessary without giving consideration to alternatives.Government found £850bn to bail out banks from the financial crisis1. Government now claim that they can’t find £4bn2 for Universities. Trident renewal costs £34bn alone. Other Europe countries with greater debt to GDP ratio continue to provide free Higher Education.
2. You say: “I am disappointed and saddened that, despite significant negotiations and lobbying over many months, it has not been possible to convince the government to continue to support higher education in the same way.” Yet you provide no evidence to substantiate this claim. The first demand of UWE’s camp for education was to “inform students about the concrete actions that [you and the governors] are taking in engaging with and challenging the government policies”. You did not share any specific information about such actions.
3. You say: “I fully support the University Alliance's position and the Universities UK Board statement that agree with the Government’s proposals for an increase in the graduate contribution as the best available option, given the circumstances.” As such, before the vote has taken place, you announce that you actively support a reform to triple tuition fees.
On the one hand, you admit that you failed to convince government, while being incapable of saying anything about what concrete actions you took to influence or persuade them. On the other hand, your letter announces that you are actively supporting the reform for tripled tuition fees before the vote.
We believe that your intervention was inappropriate and therefore detrimental to the interests of students, staff, our university and higher education.
UWE Camp for Education
1 £850bn: official cost of the bank bailout
2 Spending Review: Universities braced for deep cuts
Wednesday, 8 December 2010
Tuesday, 7 December 2010
Open letter from Steve West (UWE's Vice Chancellor) to UWE Students
Before or after reading this so-called "open letter" (actually, it was an email that was directly sent to all UWE students), please make sure to read our first quick response.
----
As Vice-Chancellor of UWE I would like to share the following statement with you. It clarifies my views on the announced higher education funding cuts, the proposed increase in the graduate contribution, the student protests and the restructuring at UWE.
1. Fundamentally I believe that higher education should be fully supported by adequate funding through taxation and provided for by the public purse. I believe that all subject disciplines should be equally supported and valued. I am disappointed and saddened that, despite significant negotiations and lobbying over many months, it has not been possible to convince the government to continue to support higher education in the same way.
2. However, I do understand the extremely difficult financial climate we as a country find ourselves in. This has required the government to prioritise and cut aspects of public spending. I accept that higher education cannot be immune from measures to reduce the deficit. I support the Government’s prioritisation and ‘relative protection’ of health, social care, state schools, police and other critical public services that impact directly on all parts of society. Morally I cannot argue for higher education to be prioritised above these areas, particularly given that unlike other public services universities can generate income from other sources.
3. The alternative to the increase in the graduate contribution, currently being considered by the Government, is a heavy reduction in the number of people going to university. If this option is pursued it would mean the return to an elite system, it would damage widening participation, and reduce the capacity of higher education to transform lives. I have therefore reluctantly accepted that, in the absence of any real alternative, the increase in the graduate contribution is the only viable option.
4. In doing so I fully support the University Alliance's position and the Universities UK Board statement that agree with the Government’s proposals for an increase in the graduate contribution as the best available option, given the circumstances.¹
5. Like all universities, UWE is facing, and will continue to face significant funding cuts. The CSR removes over 80% (over £50 million) of our core public funding by 2014/15. Compensating for some of these cuts through an increase in the graduate contribution is the only viable option available to us at this time. If the increase is not supported, we will be unable to sustain the University in its current form and would not be able to invest in enhancement to our learning and working environment. We would look very different in our size, shape and the subject areas we offer.
6. In order to reduce the impact of the cuts we have been working very hard to control and reduce our operating and management costs. Through a series of reviews we are working to build more efficient systems and processes so as to release more resource to support the student experience and the quality of our academic programmes.
7. I would like to be very clear that we are not reducing contact time or our academic staff engaged in teaching and learning. The restructuring has focused on reducing management and administrative costs to allow increased investment to support the student experience. In particular, investment to increase contact time and access to tutors across all courses. There is NO plan to undertake a cross-University restructuring of teaching resources at senior lecturer (grade H) or lecturer (grade G) level.
8. In the New Year, Faculty Executives will start to look at their staffing and physical resource requirements based on the actual and expected student numbers for programmes currently being offered or developed for the 2011-2012 year. They will then develop the academic staffing requirements for the 2011-2012 year, using all available management information, including the current version of the academic work load model. It is likely that this may highlight the need to rebalance staffing levels to ensure we support student learning and pastoral needs.
9. As Vice-Chancellor I am accountable to the Board of Governors and through them to the University. I am also accountable to the Higher Education Funding Council and ultimately the Public Accounts Committee. I have to act to protect the interests of the University. It is my responsibility with the Board to manage the immediate and the long-term financial and academic sustainability of UWE; in particular the experience and opportunities we provide for our students, partners and society. UWE is a very strong University which transforms lives and adds significant value to both individuals and society. We should be proud of what we do and we should celebrate the positive difference we make and will continue to make in the future. Our reputation and standing enhances the prospects of our staff and students through the value of our degrees and our research. We must do all we can to continue to build and protect this.
10. As we move forward, I continue to support the leadership of the National Union of Students, the UWE Students’ Union and students who engage in peaceful demonstration and debate. I, along with colleagues and the Board of Governors, have engaged in the debate and fully understand and respect the legitimate concerns raised by current and future students. I will continue to work with the Students’ Union to support the needs of students. In doing so I hope that the position of the leadership and management of the University is also understood and respected during this period of unprecedented change and challenge. We remain committed to enhancing the student experience by continuing to improve the quality of our programmes, infrastructure, estate and front line staff resource.
11. Finally, I do not support any acts of bullying, intimidation, obstruction, frustration or acts that prevent the University, staff or students from conducting their normal legitimate business. I was disappointed that last week a handful of protesters engaged in bullying and intimidation of female members of staff. They then frustrated and disrupted normal university business at an event that was benefiting our past and present students, staff and employers from across the region. Such behaviour, I am sure you will agree, is unacceptable, inappropriate and is not consistent with the values, ethos, policies and codes of conduct at UWE, and as such has no place here.
12. I do however fully support debate, discussion and reasoned argument and believe that this is essential to any civilised culture and academic institution.
I hope that by working together we can develop as a world-class University, offering excellent learning and teaching, research and engagement. We are an inclusive University that reaches out to communities and we make a significant difference to individuals and society. We should be proud, confident and ambitious for the future and we should work to allow everyone to reach their full potential. We can only do that if we are prepared to adapt, prioritise, invest and change.
As Vice-Chancellor I am certainly very proud of UWE. I hope that you are equally proud of your University, the degree you will earn and the reputation you will help shape and support.
Professor Steve West
Vice-Chancellor
¹ UUK Board Statement - ‘We the undersigned members of Universities UK (UUK) support the UUK Board’s position in relation to the forthcoming tuition fees vote. The Board strongly opposes the significant reduction in funding for higher education, but agrees that the Coalition Government’s proposals represent the best option in the current circumstances for a sustainable higher education system, with no upfront tuition fee payments by students, and a significantly improved package of support for part time students and for students from poorer backgrounds’.
----
Before or after reading this so-called "open letter" (actually, it was an email that was directly sent to all UWE students), please make sure to read our first quick response.
----
As Vice-Chancellor of UWE I would like to share the following statement with you. It clarifies my views on the announced higher education funding cuts, the proposed increase in the graduate contribution, the student protests and the restructuring at UWE.
1. Fundamentally I believe that higher education should be fully supported by adequate funding through taxation and provided for by the public purse. I believe that all subject disciplines should be equally supported and valued. I am disappointed and saddened that, despite significant negotiations and lobbying over many months, it has not been possible to convince the government to continue to support higher education in the same way.
2. However, I do understand the extremely difficult financial climate we as a country find ourselves in. This has required the government to prioritise and cut aspects of public spending. I accept that higher education cannot be immune from measures to reduce the deficit. I support the Government’s prioritisation and ‘relative protection’ of health, social care, state schools, police and other critical public services that impact directly on all parts of society. Morally I cannot argue for higher education to be prioritised above these areas, particularly given that unlike other public services universities can generate income from other sources.
3. The alternative to the increase in the graduate contribution, currently being considered by the Government, is a heavy reduction in the number of people going to university. If this option is pursued it would mean the return to an elite system, it would damage widening participation, and reduce the capacity of higher education to transform lives. I have therefore reluctantly accepted that, in the absence of any real alternative, the increase in the graduate contribution is the only viable option.
4. In doing so I fully support the University Alliance's position and the Universities UK Board statement that agree with the Government’s proposals for an increase in the graduate contribution as the best available option, given the circumstances.¹
5. Like all universities, UWE is facing, and will continue to face significant funding cuts. The CSR removes over 80% (over £50 million) of our core public funding by 2014/15. Compensating for some of these cuts through an increase in the graduate contribution is the only viable option available to us at this time. If the increase is not supported, we will be unable to sustain the University in its current form and would not be able to invest in enhancement to our learning and working environment. We would look very different in our size, shape and the subject areas we offer.
6. In order to reduce the impact of the cuts we have been working very hard to control and reduce our operating and management costs. Through a series of reviews we are working to build more efficient systems and processes so as to release more resource to support the student experience and the quality of our academic programmes.
7. I would like to be very clear that we are not reducing contact time or our academic staff engaged in teaching and learning. The restructuring has focused on reducing management and administrative costs to allow increased investment to support the student experience. In particular, investment to increase contact time and access to tutors across all courses. There is NO plan to undertake a cross-University restructuring of teaching resources at senior lecturer (grade H) or lecturer (grade G) level.
8. In the New Year, Faculty Executives will start to look at their staffing and physical resource requirements based on the actual and expected student numbers for programmes currently being offered or developed for the 2011-2012 year. They will then develop the academic staffing requirements for the 2011-2012 year, using all available management information, including the current version of the academic work load model. It is likely that this may highlight the need to rebalance staffing levels to ensure we support student learning and pastoral needs.
9. As Vice-Chancellor I am accountable to the Board of Governors and through them to the University. I am also accountable to the Higher Education Funding Council and ultimately the Public Accounts Committee. I have to act to protect the interests of the University. It is my responsibility with the Board to manage the immediate and the long-term financial and academic sustainability of UWE; in particular the experience and opportunities we provide for our students, partners and society. UWE is a very strong University which transforms lives and adds significant value to both individuals and society. We should be proud of what we do and we should celebrate the positive difference we make and will continue to make in the future. Our reputation and standing enhances the prospects of our staff and students through the value of our degrees and our research. We must do all we can to continue to build and protect this.
10. As we move forward, I continue to support the leadership of the National Union of Students, the UWE Students’ Union and students who engage in peaceful demonstration and debate. I, along with colleagues and the Board of Governors, have engaged in the debate and fully understand and respect the legitimate concerns raised by current and future students. I will continue to work with the Students’ Union to support the needs of students. In doing so I hope that the position of the leadership and management of the University is also understood and respected during this period of unprecedented change and challenge. We remain committed to enhancing the student experience by continuing to improve the quality of our programmes, infrastructure, estate and front line staff resource.
11. Finally, I do not support any acts of bullying, intimidation, obstruction, frustration or acts that prevent the University, staff or students from conducting their normal legitimate business. I was disappointed that last week a handful of protesters engaged in bullying and intimidation of female members of staff. They then frustrated and disrupted normal university business at an event that was benefiting our past and present students, staff and employers from across the region. Such behaviour, I am sure you will agree, is unacceptable, inappropriate and is not consistent with the values, ethos, policies and codes of conduct at UWE, and as such has no place here.
12. I do however fully support debate, discussion and reasoned argument and believe that this is essential to any civilised culture and academic institution.
I hope that by working together we can develop as a world-class University, offering excellent learning and teaching, research and engagement. We are an inclusive University that reaches out to communities and we make a significant difference to individuals and society. We should be proud, confident and ambitious for the future and we should work to allow everyone to reach their full potential. We can only do that if we are prepared to adapt, prioritise, invest and change.
As Vice-Chancellor I am certainly very proud of UWE. I hope that you are equally proud of your University, the degree you will earn and the reputation you will help shape and support.
Professor Steve West
Vice-Chancellor
¹ UUK Board Statement - ‘We the undersigned members of Universities UK (UUK) support the UUK Board’s position in relation to the forthcoming tuition fees vote. The Board strongly opposes the significant reduction in funding for higher education, but agrees that the Coalition Government’s proposals represent the best option in the current circumstances for a sustainable higher education system, with no upfront tuition fee payments by students, and a significantly improved package of support for part time students and for students from poorer backgrounds’.
----
Before or after reading this so-called "open letter" (actually, it was an email that was directly sent to all UWE students), please make sure to read our first quick response.
Monday, 6 December 2010
Thali donates to UWE occupation
Thali feeds the UWE occupants
Local solidarity expressed by donation of food.
Award winning Indian restaurant, Thali of St Marks Road, Easton, has donated two nights worth of food to the UWE occupation. The food will feed at least twenty protesting students for two nights as they continue occpupying in opposition to the governments proposed education cuts.
The food included rice, chicken, potato and vegan dishes.
This show of local solidarity further demonstrates that students are not alone in their fight back. Education cuts are just one section of the governments overall plans to destroy the welfare state. Bristol as a community can come together and be stronger through mutual support and friendship. Together we can defeat these cuts, which are naked attack on the most poor and vulnerable people of society.
The UWE students wish to thank the Thali staff for their generosity, and invite them round for a cup of tea and some cake.
Local solidarity expressed by donation of food.
Award winning Indian restaurant, Thali of St Marks Road, Easton, has donated two nights worth of food to the UWE occupation. The food will feed at least twenty protesting students for two nights as they continue occpupying in opposition to the governments proposed education cuts.
The food included rice, chicken, potato and vegan dishes.
This show of local solidarity further demonstrates that students are not alone in their fight back. Education cuts are just one section of the governments overall plans to destroy the welfare state. Bristol as a community can come together and be stronger through mutual support and friendship. Together we can defeat these cuts, which are naked attack on the most poor and vulnerable people of society.
The UWE students wish to thank the Thali staff for their generosity, and invite them round for a cup of tea and some cake.
BOOK YOUR SEAT FOR THE NINTH NOW!!!
You can book your seat for the London protest, day X, decision day, on the 9th December, here: http://bit.ly/CoachBooking
The Buses leave UWE Frenchay campus at 8:00am. The cost will be £5, to be paid on the coach. The coach is for all staff and students who wish to attend.
Special thanks to the University and Colleges Union (UCU) for subsidising these coaches. This is a clear display of solidarity between staff and students, who have been working together to oppose education cuts both locally and nationally.
The Buses leave UWE Frenchay campus at 8:00am. The cost will be £5, to be paid on the coach. The coach is for all staff and students who wish to attend.
Special thanks to the University and Colleges Union (UCU) for subsidising these coaches. This is a clear display of solidarity between staff and students, who have been working together to oppose education cuts both locally and nationally.
UWE education camp gets kettled in Bristol
On Sunday 5th December a group from the education camp attended the 4th day of action in Bristol. There had been a facebook group advertising this day, which was closed down two days before it was supposed to happen (3rd). Word circulated that the action had been cancelled. In hindsight we think it is possible that this group was set up by the police in order to keep the numbers attending the demonstration low.
Around 200-300 people attended the demo, a significantly lower amount than the 2000-3000 at the three previous actions. Those who attended were subjected to the most forceful and underhanded police tactics yet. The peaceful protest was kettled within an hour of starting. We were held at the top of Park Street by police in riot gear, on horse back, and surrounded by riot vans. In an attempt to link arms and move peacefully past the police lines, protesters were literally beaten back.
After an hour of negotiation the protest was encased by police and moved slowly down Park Street like a controlled herd, until reaching College Green, where we were held for another two hours. Within the crowd were schoolchildren and a woman with a baby in a pram. This protest was clearly the most dangerous yet, and warranted such oppressive tactics.
All in all we learnt a lot about police brutality. If anything these kind of tactics only increase our indignation, and strengthen out focus on instigating change and opposing these ideologically oriented cuts to education. We are now concentrating on the demo in London on the 9th. Day X. Decision day.
We are applying pressure on Lib Dem MP's, and urge you to do the same. Please contact any and all MP's and urge them to vote NO on the increase in tuition fees and the removal of the the cap. See you in London. YA BASTA!!!!!
Around 200-300 people attended the demo, a significantly lower amount than the 2000-3000 at the three previous actions. Those who attended were subjected to the most forceful and underhanded police tactics yet. The peaceful protest was kettled within an hour of starting. We were held at the top of Park Street by police in riot gear, on horse back, and surrounded by riot vans. In an attempt to link arms and move peacefully past the police lines, protesters were literally beaten back.
After an hour of negotiation the protest was encased by police and moved slowly down Park Street like a controlled herd, until reaching College Green, where we were held for another two hours. Within the crowd were schoolchildren and a woman with a baby in a pram. This protest was clearly the most dangerous yet, and warranted such oppressive tactics.
All in all we learnt a lot about police brutality. If anything these kind of tactics only increase our indignation, and strengthen out focus on instigating change and opposing these ideologically oriented cuts to education. We are now concentrating on the demo in London on the 9th. Day X. Decision day.
We are applying pressure on Lib Dem MP's, and urge you to do the same. Please contact any and all MP's and urge them to vote NO on the increase in tuition fees and the removal of the the cap. See you in London. YA BASTA!!!!!
Saturday, 4 December 2010
Demonstration Against Cuts - Sunday Dec 5th
05 December · 11:30 - 14:30
College Green
They say cut back, we say FIGHT BACK!
We could afford a £1.3 trillion bailout of banks, from which the UK holds £850 billion in assets. We can afford an expensive war but we are going to take EMA from college children!
These cuts are not inevitable, they are ideological!
These cuts are an attack on our public services, communities and our children's futures. This is the real VIOLENCE!
Resistance is not futile, it's essential!
Assemble on College Green at 11.30 THIS SUNDAY for a third day of action and lets make some noise!
No to education cuts and fees!
No to ALL public service, jobs and benefit cuts!
No to the abolition of EMA!
No to tax dodging businesses and banks!
Hope to see you there, invite as many people as you can to raise awareness.
College Green
They say cut back, we say FIGHT BACK!
We could afford a £1.3 trillion bailout of banks, from which the UK holds £850 billion in assets. We can afford an expensive war but we are going to take EMA from college children!
These cuts are not inevitable, they are ideological!
These cuts are an attack on our public services, communities and our children's futures. This is the real VIOLENCE!
Resistance is not futile, it's essential!
Assemble on College Green at 11.30 THIS SUNDAY for a third day of action and lets make some noise!
No to education cuts and fees!
No to ALL public service, jobs and benefit cuts!
No to the abolition of EMA!
No to tax dodging businesses and banks!
Hope to see you there, invite as many people as you can to raise awareness.
Thursday, 2 December 2010
Friday Dec. 3rd Bristol Student Protest: Stephen Williams, keep your pledge!
03 December · 13:30 - 15:00
Woodland Road 1-1.30pm ||| College Green 2pm
Stephen Williams, Liberal Democrat MP for Bristol West promised to vote against any increase in tuition fees before the election. He now seems to have changed his mind, and is supporting fees of £9,000 per year.
Come along to Stephen's constituency office and make your displeasure known. We'll have banners and plenty of media ready to cover the event.
Friday 3rd
1/1.30pm Woodland Road Signature gathering
2pm Walk to College Green
UWE Occupation Hotline: 07583086261
Woodland Road 1-1.30pm ||| College Green 2pm
Stephen Williams, Liberal Democrat MP for Bristol West promised to vote against any increase in tuition fees before the election. He now seems to have changed his mind, and is supporting fees of £9,000 per year.
Come along to Stephen's constituency office and make your displeasure known. We'll have banners and plenty of media ready to cover the event.
Friday 3rd
1/1.30pm Woodland Road Signature gathering
2pm Walk to College Green
UWE Occupation Hotline: 07583086261
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