Dundee University: Staff and students paying price for years of mismanagement
Scottish Green MSP Maggie Chapman has condemned plans to cut a further 190 posts from Dundee University. The proposed cuts would come on top of the 675 that have already been inflicted on staff to tackle the financial mismanagement of successive University Executive Groups.
Maggie represents Dundee as an MSP for North East Scotland and is Rector of Dundee University where she was elected by students on an anti-cuts platform.
On Thursday Maggie will be hosting a Member’s Debate on cuts to universities with a particular focus on Dundee and Aberdeen.
Maggie said:
“This is devastating news and a brutal blow for staff and students who have already endured far too much uncertainty and anxiety.
“This crisis did not happen by accident. It is the direct result of years of catastrophic leadership, failed governance and appalling decision-making at the top of the university. Staff and students are now paying the price for mistakes they did not make, to try and solve a crisis they did not cause.
“This is not only unfair, it is completely wrong-headed. The university cannot cut its way to growth.
“The years of crisis and mismanagement have exposed a total lack of transparency and accountability. The university has lurched from one crisis to the next while staff good will has been eroded trust destroyed.
“Both as an MSP and as Rector, I have seen first-hand the damage this ongoing chaos has inflicted on the university community. Staff and student morale has been undermined and the institution’s reputation has suffered. Today’s announcement will only make things worse.
“I stand in solidarity with the workers, trade unions and students who make Dundee University the great institution it is. They deserve dignity, security, and real long term solutions, not endless rounds of cuts and failure upon failure from management.”