It's not just the huge lion which adorned the walls of the University of Salford that has been thrown on the scrapheap (see here), hundreds of staff are about to be affected by Phase 2 of the latest `Transformation Programme' dreamed up by bean counters at the University.
The University of Salford is now only ten places off being the worst university in the country, according to the latest Guardian league table (109th out of 119 see here). But it's pressing ahead with yet more job cuts in another `restructure' which, according to Deputy Vice-Chancellor Adrian Graves, will affect "220 people overall, of which approximately 100 will ultimately leave the University"…
The Deputy Vice-Chancellor used a video (see here) to explain the process to staff in words that were hardly reassuring… "We are putting in place a very wide range of mechanisms of support to all of you through this quite challenging period to ensure that you have the best chance of getting roles or even - if you wish to - to discuss the alternatives of leaving the University or seeking career opportunities elsewhere…"
Graves explains that there is an "urgent need now to rationalise our College and School administrations" and that staff "know we're in difficult times with major budget pressures"…
The "major budget pressures" to which he alludes might just be the £50million+ costs of its new campus at MediaCityUK (see here) and the cost of its new logo (see here). Meanwhile, the University's ongoing libel action against former lecturer, Dr Gary Duke, for allegedly bringing the University into disrepute, cannot be helping…
An estimate of the University's costs posted at the courts last April in relation to its actions against Dr Duke (see here and see here) totalled £113,462 with its legal eagle, Ian Austin being paid £300 per hour (plus VAT), while his assistant trousered £150 per hour (plus VAT).
Today, at Manchester Civil Justice Centre, Dr Gary Duke is attempting to get the ongoing libel claims against him by the University of Salford struck out. He writes on his blog, Vagrant In The Casual Ward of a Workhouse (see here), of the decision by Vice Chancellor Martin Hall and Deputy Vice-Chancellor Adrian Graves to continue to pursue him…
"According to the current figures, the dynamic duo have invested a significant sum of University income into this libel case. They will invest a good deal more if the case goes to a full blown trial…Tuesday's four hour hearing will naturally drive this sum in a heaven-wards direction. But maybe that's a price worth paying? It has after all played a small part in keeping one solicitor and one barrister in work since 2010…"
The University of Salford is certainly `transforming'…but transforming into what? Only time will tell.
• Update 4:30pm
Dr Gary Duke failed in his bid to stop Salford University's libel action but the claim has been transferred to the High Court in London for trial - no doubt, with even more costs involved...
• The Salford Star asked the University of Salford for a comment about the redundancies last week and we are still awaiting a response.
• The University of Salford staff teaching union, UCU, will make a full statement next week when it knows more details but official, Martin Moss told the Salford Star that the UCU "will oppose any compulsory redundancies"
• For details on how the University of Salford has been spending its money on consultants etc – click here
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