Campaigns – Maidstone Campaign

On 14th April 2011, University for the Creative Arts announced that an offer had been made by Mid Kent College to purchase the Maidstone campus and expected 2014 to be the final year of students graduating from courses at Maidstone should the offer be accepted.

Following this announcement and the subsequent Student Forum, UCA Students’ Union is lobbying the University to ensure student experience is not negatively impacted by any decisions made about the future of Maidstone campus. We are committed to representing students at all stages of planning and will campaign for the best possible outcome for students both at Maidstone and other campuses.

UCA Students’ Union shares concerns with students at Maidstone campus about the provision of facilities, access to staff and quality of teaching approaching 2014.

We realise this will be a worrying time for students, specifically those studying at Maidstone during the transition period and those at campuses which may see its student population increase.

Throughout the entire process, UCA Students’ Union will stand up for its members, working hard to make certain that the student experience is and remains the highest priority at all times.

What has changed since the original announcement about collaboration with MidKent College?

MidKent College has now submitted a formal proposal confirming its interest in purchasing our Oakwood Park campus. We are still in discussion with the College about possible academic collaborations.

Does this mean that UCA Maidstone will close?

No decisions have yet been taken.

What happens next – and when will we have a decision?

The Kent Campuses’ Review (KCR) Steering Group will now undertake detailed work on the proposed options and test their viability against the priorities set out in UCA’s Strategic Plan and Academic Strategy. No decision will be taken before the meeting of the UCA Board of Governors in July 2011.

Who is on the KCR Steering Group?

The Steering Group is co-chaired by Dianne Taylor Gearing (PVC, FE & WP) and Alan Cooke (PVC Corporate Resources).  It also includes Thomass Atkinson, the recently-appointed Strategic Academic Planner for the Kent Campuses’ Review; Colin Chance, Director of Estate Services; Kevin Wilson, Director of Marketing and Communications; Rachel Sullivan, UCA’s communications consultant for the KCR and the University’s property and space planning consultants, GVA.

Why are we considering this now?

Staff will be aware of our stated objective since 2008 of bringing the three Kent campuses onto a single site. We also want to ensure the long-term financial sustainability of the University. Planning restrictions at Oakwood Park prevent UCA Maidstone being used for anything other than educational and community purposes. The approach by MidKent College was therefore timely and helps us to work towards our existing strategic plan.

What will happen to the courses we currently run at Maidstone?

The course portfolio at UCA’s Kent Campuses – along with those in Surrey – is currently being reviewed by the Portfolio Planning Group (PPG), which is working to ensure that our course portfolio is the best fit to market demand and the changing funding regime in the HE Sector. It is possible that some courses may be relocated to other UCA campuses in future as part of the wider course portfolio review.

How does this affect plans to move to a new Kent campus?

Given the emerging financial situation in the HE Sector, it is unlikely that funding will be available to build a new campus in Kent in the foreseeable future. However, we remain committed to bringing our three Kent campuses onto a single site and any plans for Maidstone Campus will be an important step in this process.

If MidKent College does take over the campus in 2012, what will happen to UCA staff?

The KCR Steering Group will be exploring the implications for staff with senior managers of departments based at Maidstone. Some roles may transfer to other UCA campuses but we don’t yet know how many roles would be at risk. If redundancies are necessary, UCA will do its utmost to avoid compulsory redundancies and will explore other options in consultation with staff and Trades Union representatives.

What will happen to new students enrolling this September and to continuing students?

The exact phasing of the change of ownership, if it proceeds, is not yet clear.
However, UCA intends to ensure that students enrolling at Maidstone this September are able to complete their studies with us at Oakwood Park.
We are committed to maintaining a high quality of experience for those students already enrolled on the affected courses, and we will ensure these students remain in good standing throughout the remainder of their studies.

How long will UCA retain a presence at Oakwood Park?

This is still to be determined. However, as we are committed to students enrolling this September completing their studies at the campus, there is likely to be a UCA presence at least until summer 2014.

Is UCA withdrawing from Maidstone?

Whatever the future of UCA at Oakwood Park is, we remain committed to the town and are building our presence through our collaboration with Maidstone Studios, which already houses UCA students.
If nothing is confirmed yet, why is UCA announcing this now?
We want to keep staff as fully informed as we can, even though no decision has been taken. Although we can’t give clear answers on all of the issues raised at this stage, it is important to make staff and students aware that discussions are taking place with MidKent College. We are very aware of the distress that rumour and speculation can cause and we wish to involve key staff in the process of evaluating the options.
Do we have space to share the facilities?
Our most recent space utilisation survey indicates that we do have the capacity but the accommodation might need some internal reconfiguration to make it work for both institutions.  This may result in courses moving between all our campuses in order to make the optimum use of our space.  This was already under review as part of the portfolio review being undertaken by the Portfolio Planning Group (PPG).


Is this being driven by academic or financial issues?
Both. We are in the process of reviewing our academic portfolio and have already recognised that our current five-campus spread is unsustainable in the current and future financial context.
At the moment, we are facing a £1.5 million cut in FE and HE funding and additional pension costs of around £500k for 2011/12. The Government proposal to remove band C funding will lead to an estimated 85% cut in our teaching funding over the next four years. It is therefore essential that we take the necessary action to ensure the long-term sustainability of the University and preserve the staff and student experience.
Are we merging with MidKent College?
No – the discussions we are holding relate to academic and estates collaborations only. There are potentially exciting academic opportunities for us to work more closely with MidKent on areas such as validation.
Academic collaboration has an important role to play at UCA, with successful arrangements in place with the Royal School of Needlework, Barking College, the Open College of the Arts and The National Institute of Design in India.
Why Maidstone and not other campuses?
The approach by MidKent College is timely and fits with our strategic objectives. UCA’s strategic plan states that we are working towards a sustainable model of three campuses each containing 3,000 students by 2017. This will involve bringing our existing Kent campuses together onto one site, thereby delivering much-needed cost efficiencies.
Maidstone is the smallest of our five campuses and student numbers have fallen by almost 20% since 2007/08. Although applications to Maidstone were up by 19% in 2010, this is significantly below the average UCA increase of 34%.
Our teaching space at Maidstone is under-utilised and collaboration with a local FE provider is an excellent opportunity for us. We have not been approached by any other FE Colleges in Kent or Surrey.
How can I find out more?
Maidstone staff and students can take part in the staff and student forums that have already been established.
Staff with individual queries should speak to their line manager or the appropriate member of the HR Team.
Students should speak to their course leader in the first instance.
Staff and students can also email Rachel Sullivan, Communications Manager for the KCR Steering Group, who will relay queries to the appropriate colleague.
Rachel’s email is rsullivan.t1@ucreative.ac.uk

On the February 1st, UCA Students’ Union held a meeting for all students at Maidstone Campus. Each of the Elected Officers and four Union staff attended and spoke to over 40 students and UCA staff members.

The purpose of the meeting was to ensure the student body were reassured the SU where there to support them, represent their interests to UCA and provide a plan and timescale of action and updates.

We also wanted to tell students what our our intentions were; not to give our opinion about the situation, but to inform the students with all the knowledge we have and make sure our members were best informed to make their own opinion. The Union would represent the broad student opinion to the University.

The Union stated we currently had no stance, as the student body had not had enough information or time to make a judgment. The campaign UCASU is currently running is lobbying the senior management for better answers.

The meeting consisted of a presentation covering: what the Union knew, what it didn’t, and what it was trying to find out, followed by a question and answer session.

The Union made a note of everything said and would feed into our lobbying efforts.

We are hoping to receive responses to our questions very soon, and will feedback this to students.

An email was circulated yesterday from the Executive Dean for Kent asking for 10 students from Maidstone to attend a specific Student Forum on the Maidstone Campus. We are fighting to increase the number of students that can attend this meeting and allow the Union to attend.

Issues raised by Students Union in Meeting with VC on 2 February 2011

1. Clarification of the role of the Student Union as representing the student body (legal imperative in terms of mandate). Agreement that the Student Union needed to be provided with information and engaged in process in order to best advise students. Clear channels of communication needed so that Student Union could represent student views to the University.

2. Concern that there was no formal briefing for the SU. The SU Officer based at Maidstone was not informed prior to the formal announcement. Briefing comprised of a brief conversation with the Farnham Campus Officer who sits on the Board of Governors during the Governors Awayday. Further concern that this was mis-represented in communications, giving a false impression to the student body.

3. Key issue of respect and collaborative working.

4. Need for the University to develop a communications plan relating to the student body and the Students’ Union.

5. Understanding that the negotiations are at an early stage and that answers may not be available, but emphasising the importance of giving a clear indication of timescales for answers. This is urgent in order to avoid distracting students from their studies.

6. Sense of cynicism regarding “the student experience”:- overuse makes the term meaningless and students want to know specifics.

7.Need for consultation and engagement. For example, how can students contribute to portfolio review.

Specific Concerns

Culture clash:-
o will students have their University experience diluted by sharing space with College students?
o Difference in fees levels leading to different expectations and levels of respect for facilities and environment.
o Students take great pride in being part of a specialist creative arts university. Will liaison with MKC detract from this?
o Differences in staff treatment of students at MKC and the University (e.g. MKC more school-like- confiscating mobiles etc)

Space:-
o The argument of underutilisation of space is not easily recognised by students as this does not reflect their actual experience (e.g. in terms of studio space)

Accommodation:-
o Urgent issue of timescales. Student concern re potential to be moved and impact on accommodation and costs- some students study at Maidstone for proximity to home. A huge number of students have already committed to accommodation arrangements for 2011/12.

Transparency of decision making process:-
o How will the University decide about course closures and discontinuations? How will students be involved in this process? (Further implications in terms of quality- staff leaving/moving etc).

Negative perception:-
o This seems to be about MKC acquiring space from UCA. Can be perceived as a take-over. What are the benefits for UCA?

Further meeting with SU and VC/DVC to be arranged.

At request of the Student Union, a meeting for students at Maidstone (with Exec representatives) will be arranged.

Immediate plans for increasing awareness:

SU Actions
- lobby to find answers to questions asked
- student QandA session more student attendees
- setting next all student meeting
- write a model letter for students send to uni/councils/business etc
- updating communications regularly
- meeting and lobbying senior staff
- getting student opinion

Student Actions
- spread the word!

MidKent collaboration – questions from the SU

UCASU: When will a final decision be made on the future of the Maidstone campus?

UCA: We have only had one meeting with MidKent College and discussions as to collaborations at Oakwood Park are at a very early stage.

Any collaboration proposals will be presented to UCA’s Board of Governors meets in July. A decision would not be taken before then.

An aspect of the University’s strategic plan has been to consolidate our Kent campuses into one site by 2017. The objectives of any collaborations would not only be to enhance the Strategic Plans of both organisations but would also need to be more cost effective – an issue which is particularly important given the Government’s recent announcement on tuition fees.

UCASU: If UCA withdraws from Maidstone, what will the timescales be? What notice will be given to students?

UCA: It is too early to say what the outcome of any discussions regarding the collaborations would be. At this stage we are discussing academic and estates collaborations in very broad terms. The student experience remains a priority for UCA and will influence any decisions taken around collaboration and associated timescales.

UCASU:Are we going to be recruiting to Maidstone for 2012/13? Will students enrolling in 2011/12 complete their studies at Maidstone?

UCA: At present we are reviewing the academic portfolio in light of tuition fee increases and an estimated 85% cut in our government teaching grant. This review will affect all campuses and will be a key factor in our discussions with Mid-Kent College.

We will update students and applicants as our plans unfold.

UCASU: What provision will be made for students who have agreed housing contracts?

UCA: The student experience is our top priority and factors such as these will inform our discussions with MidKent College.

UCASU:If students do end up moving from Maidstone, what provision is being made for those who live locally and choose to study at a local university owing to financial constraints?

UCA: The University is committed to retaining a presence in Maidstone and is keen to build on its collaboration with Maidstone Studios. The discussions with MidKent College present exciting opportunities for collaboration around our Oakwood Park site.

We are very conscious of the financial constraints students face, and this will be taken into account when we make decisions on our portfolio.

UCASU: Are Maidstone’s fine art courses moving to Canterbury and if so when?

UCA: At the moment we are reviewing our entire portfolio in light of the funding cuts we face and the financial constraints that will be placed on students when increased tuition fees are brought in.

We will communicate the outcome of this review as soon as possible.

UCASU: What will be happening to FE at Maidstone?

UCA: UCA has a strong tradition of FE provision in Maidstone and we are keen that any collaboration with MidKent College will allow us to build on this.

UCASU: What will happen to UCA’s accommodation in Maidstone?

UCA: We will explore this further as we work on a plan for the collaboration with MidKent College.

UCASU: What will happen to technicians and tutors at Maidstone?

UCA: One of our key priorities is to maintain student numbers across the University, and for this we will continue to need the support of tutors and technicians. Collaboration with MidKent College could provide us with opportunities to safeguard jobs in the long run and we are keen to explore these further.

UCASU: Will UCA have to share central services such as careers with MidKent students? How would this work?

UCA: This is something which needs to be explored further as part of the detailed discussions around the proposed collaboration.

UCASU: Are there child protection issues involved if there is an influx of under 18s to UCA Maidstone?

UCA: This will be fully explored before a decision is taken.

UCASU: How will this affect other campuses? If courses may be moved to other campuses, will UCA be holding dialogue with students at the campuses concerned to assess the impact?

UCA: At the moment the University is carrying out a review of its entire portfolio of courses to ensure that we are in a strong position to respond to the challenge of increased tuition fees.

We will communicate the outcome of this, and the collaboration with MidKent College as soon as we can.

Many thanks for your speedy reply. The answers received were shared with the Officer and Student Trustees on Friday. We were concerned that for the majority of the questions asked, the answers were either not given or very unclear, with some simply being answered with the ‘Student Experience’ tagline. We want to be sure that the real concerns shared by the students as a result of this announcement are properly addressed and taken seriously. The potential repercussions of this situation for our current students has to be a priority and visions of campus consolidation in 2017 is simply not a fair justification until their immediate worries can be answered.

As this is now a public debate, we are unfortunately in a position where there are far more student worries and questions than UCA is able to answer, however a speedy response is needed to avert student unrest. The Students’ Union is committed to making sure any unanswered questions are not pushed aside as negotiations move forward and we will hold UCA to account on all our students concerns. I have listed further questions raised following our Trustee Board Meeting on Friday:

- Can UCA indicate what academic year any decisions will come into affect?
- Has the plan to merge the three Kent campuses been altered?
- When is the School of Fine Arts validation event and will a Students’ Union officer be on the panel?
- What areas of the ‘Student Experience’ will UCA be using to influence its plans and timescales?
- Will UCA allow the Students’ Union to input on each campuses portfolio reviews?
- Will UCA agree that no student will be disadvantaged academically though a decrease in staffing or facilities
- Can UCA confirm students accommodation arrangements will becomes a fundamental part of any decision and planning?
- Will UCA agree that if any courses are moved, discontinued merged or other, at any - - UCA campus the Students and the Students’ Union be informed in good time?
- Will marketing for the courses at the Maidstone campus continue?
- Is there going to be a reduction in staffing employed by UCA at the Maidstone Campus (academic, technical, support staff)?

Rather than continued emails, we feel a meeting with Elaine in person is needed in order to effectively represent our views and to be able to positively move forward from this point. We don’t think it would be appropriate to incorporate a meeting with the VC with our monthly meetings with Mark Hunt as I would not like this to push other important existing items that are continuing, from our monthly discussions. We would need a dedicated meeting regarding this issue.

Currently, we are not happy with communications from UCA or members of the Executive claiming to be working with the Students’ Union. We are concerned that our name is being used to validate this debate, without our input. Although we are pleased that relations with UCA and the SU have improved in the last year or so, we are disappointed at the seeming lack of respect shown to the SU in this situation considering the support we have shown UCA, despite the continued and growing unrest amongst our members. There has been little communication with the Students’ Union Officers prior to the announcement to be in a position to work with UCA and although we hope to play a key role as ‘a critical friend’ of the university in communicating our students needs, we are very much working with the students and lobbying the University in the best interests of our members.

Kind regards

Benjo

Purpose of the forum is to allow students to opportunity to participate in the proposed collaboration with Mid Kent College (MKC) and for members of the University Executive to listen to the concerns of students, also for University Exec to update students on the progress.

These types of meetings will be held monthly.

Mark Hunt began by outlining the purpose of the meeting and describing how the collaboration is in the very early days. UCA were approached by MKC to share space.

Diane Taylor-Gearing gave a current update on the collaboration. MKC has already developed a new campus in Gillingham (Medway) and were looking to develop and extend the Maidstone campus as there are now huge disparities in their student experience. However, due to the current economic climate plans to develop new buildings in Oakwood Park have been put on hold. MKC is therefore looking to refurbish the Tower and so need extra capacity for students while the refurbishments are happening. MKC wish to develop their media studies course which is more technical at a level 3 which is FE. Both MKC and UCA wish to develop their links so that an increasing number of MKC students progress to UCA after completing their FE.

There is an external company project managing this collaboration and will be based on UCA campus for two days a week. Diane will be the university’s lead for this project.

The University’s strategic plan outlines plans for a 3 campus university with 3,000 students at each campus by 2017 and the collaboration with MKC can help UCA achieve this. The collaboration will make the Maidstone campus more sustainable.

Students then asked questions;
- Will MKC and UCA students share facilities and space or will they be separate? Exec members highlighted that there will not be any shared academic provision. MKC students may use the canteen and bar area, but will not share academic facilities. Currently, MKC are looking at effectively renting around 20 rooms from UCA which are currently not used effectively. Approximately 120 MKC students will use the UCA space.
- Who’s academic staff will teach MKC students? Students were reassured by Exec members that academic provisions and staffing will be provided by MKC and MKC students will not ‘share’ tutors.
- Can the results of the Space Survey be made available to students? Mark said they could be made available to students and the university will create an information set for the project to communicate developments to students.
- Students raised concerns about the attitude and possible age difference between MKC students and UCA students. Exec members gave an example of Strood Academy as an institution which previously had very high levels of poor behaviour, but which has been “turned around”. The principal of MKC wishes to build a HE ethos at MK.
- Students raised concerns about closure of print making rooms. Students were assured by Exec that these rumours were not true and stated there are no plans to make any changes of print making rooms.
- Exec reiterated that this collaboration is about making Maidstone sustainable.
- Timescales – MKC looking to use rooms from September 2011, but this is not guaranteed.
- The University highlighted that they have various ‘what if’ scenarios for this collaboration and therefore there is potential for UCA phase out of Maidstone to meet the 3 campus plans.
- What will be the benefit to UCA students? Exec answered that the collaboration would create a more vibrant community campus. Diane also noted that MKC will not be using these rooms for free.
- A student suggested asking for car parking space in negotiations and other students asked if any money generated from this collaboration would go back into the Maidstone campus or if it would be absorbed by the central UCA budget. Exec replied that all funds go directly into the UCA central budget and funds are then allocated to each campus.
- A student asked if the minutes of UCA and MKC meetings could be available to students. Diane replied that currently these meetings are not minuted as they are informal discussions, but that the University will be developing a communications strategy.

Future meetings will continue to give indications of negotiations as they progress.
The next meeting will be held around the 25th March, but this will be confirmed at a later date.
It should be noted that although 18 students attended the meeting there was not a wide representation of courses, so all Maidstone students please come along to the next meeting!

In April 2011 UCA announced that they are in talks with MidKent College (MKC) regarding the possibility of MKC renting space on the Maidstone campus from September 2011 and purchasing the campus from September 2012 with the possibility of UCA withdrawing from the campus as current students graduate. Under these proposals UCA will cease to have any students in Maidstone by June 2014.

UCA have been posting weekly updates on myUCA and on the staff portal since the end of May 2011. On June 9th the update stated that UCA had proposed to MidKent that they can utilise 20 rooms situated in the West block from September 2011. The update also stated that from September 2011 there will be a maximum of 160 MKC students on campus at any one time. In addition, the update detailed confirmation from MKC as to which courses they wish to be situated on the Maidstone campus. These include; Extended Diploma in Media and the Diploma and Extended Diploma in Art and Design, A Levels in History, Business Studies, Psychology, Sociology and English Literature, Access to Healthcare and Access to Humanities, Social Science and Teaching, Professional level courses in Accountancy, Personnel and Management.

In light of the announcements by UCA, UCA Students’ Union have in consultation with students drawn up a list of demands and will today (22nd June 2011) submit these to Elaine Thomas, Vice-Chancellor and Mark Hunt, Deputy Vice-Chancellor. If our demands are not met with an adequate response we will take our demands to the Board of Governors when they meet on the 14th July.

SU Appeal

For a signed agreement from the Chair of the Board of Governors and the Vice Chancellor promising that current students will graduate from Maidstone and that provision of all facilities, technical and staff support remain. This is to be delivered to all students, including those starting in September.

To immediately and expressly reveal which rooms and facilities (or possible rooms or facilities) will be affected and accessed by MidKent College in September so that students can be consulted sooner, rather than later, about these changes to their working environment.

For a formal apology to be made regarding the timing of the announcement of discontinued courses across UCA being after the UCAS deadline, causing a great deal of distress to internally progressing students who had their courses cut, and for the reason behind this decision to be made known.

For students who would have progressed internally to courses that have now been discontinued - but have elected to take other courses offered - to be identified and for a greater degree of care to be taken to check and report on their progress.

 
While early notice of proposed changes and the introduction of student and staff forums is welcomed, for a formal explanation to be made to staff and students at all UCA campuses as to why a the content of these meetings has at best been extremely sparse and important information has been withheld, omitted or the release thereof delayed.

For students to be fully informed and consulted about large-scale decisions such as course closures before it is too late for the student voice to be heard.

That at least one representational member of each of the following be consulted before any changes or decisions affecting them or their environment are made: students, staff, Students’ Union.

For a member of the Students’ Union to have a place in the Kent Campus Development workstream meetings.

For all students starting/continuing September 2011 to be fully informed, in writing and to Home addresses, the results of the Midkent College/UCA collaboration deal and possible sale and exit of UCA from the Maidstone campus by 2014, after the Board of Governors meets to decide in July.

For the release of all Space Survey data (not just the report) for UCA’s Maidstone campus, gathered over this academic year.

For the release of minutes of meetings with MidKent College, back dated to 2005.

For the release of all documentation from the ‘Portfolio Review’ meetings.

//READ THIS LETTER AS A PDF//

In addition, UCA Students’ Union officers have met with representatives from the University and College Union (UCU) a trade union which represents academics and Unison, a trade union which represents support staff. As a result of this meeting the three Unions have drawn up a list of requests for information and will today submit this to Elaine Thomas and Mark Hunt with a request for response by the end of June. We believe that by joining with the other Unions as students and staff the message that we are sending to the University will be stronger.

Dear Elaine and Mark

At a meeting yesterday at UCU headquarters in London, representatives of UCU, Unison and UCA Students’ Union discussed and shared serious concerns over coming reorganisation at Maidstone, noted a number of contradictory statements made on this matter, and in a bid to clarify the position have jointly agreed to submit to you the following requests for action, for urgent response by end of June:

Resources, rooming and the student experience

1. We seek firm guarantees that all current UCA courses and students at Maidstone will continue to have full and exclusive (ie not shared with Mid-Kent College) access to suitable and appropriate rooms, studios and spaces in and throughout the next academic year and throughout the following two academic years, and that full attention is paid to the facilities in the rooms and spaces, and not just to floor space.

2. We seek specific guarantees that specialist resources and resource areas such as IT suites, video studios, equipment stores and course-specific base rooms will continue to be fully and exclusively available to all UCA Maidstone students and courses throughout the next academic year and the following two academic years.

3. We seek specific guarantees that Maidstone’s North Block will continue as is, and to be fully and exclusively available to all UCA Maidstone students and courses; and also that the Printmaking studio and workshop will be maintained as is, and fully and exclusively available to relevant UCA students and courses; and also that the 3D workshop will be maintained as is, and will be fully and exclusively available to relevant UCA students and courses – and all for the next three academic years, until students commencing in September and who wish to remain at Maidstone have completed their studies.

4. We seek a cast iron guarantee that students who have started their studies at Maidstone, and who are starting in September at Maidstone, will be allowed to complete their studies at Maidstone, if they request this. This is to reaffirm the assurances given to students by Diane Taylor-Gearing and Mark Hunt at the student forum of 14 April.

5. We seek guarantees that there is full commitment to the maintenance of the current SSR, and in particular for the courses at Maidstone. This is in light of recent statements by Christy Johnson, Associate Dean, that course leaders should plan for a 28:1 SSR, which contradicts firm assurances on SSR given at JCNC.

Staffing, restructuring and academic integrity

6. In light of coming relocation of staff, we require firm assurances that all staff will be fully protected by the current UCA redundancy policy and the current UCA relocation policy.

7. We seek immediate consultation on restructuring of staff in Fine Art and Fine Art Media in Kent. A UCU local officer was informed by Becky Rogers of HR staff and by Christy Johnson, Associate Dean, that all staff in Fine Art and Fine Art Media will be placed At Risk and will have to apply for new, altered posts. Other staff who will be affected by this have been told nothing. Becky Rogers has stated that planning for staff restructures in Fine Art in Kent has been taking place since September. The joint unions note that this is contrary to UCA’s own redundancy policy which commits to ‘early consultation’ and that we see this as another example of lack of commitment to genuine consultation.

8. We require a firm commitment that there will continue to be media pathways in the new Fine Art course at Kent, in line with assurances given by Diane Taylor-Gearing at JCNC. This is in light of remarks made by Christy Johnson, Associate Dean, that there will be no pathways in the revalidated course, which directly contradict those assurances.

9. Overall, the joint unions are concerned that the course revalidation process is apparently being used as a tool to effect major staff changes and restructures ‘behind the scenes’, and that academic staff and course teams are being excluded from what is in essence an academic process, ie the development of course philosophy and curriculum.

The unions have serious reservations that this undermines and seriously compromises
academic integrity and puts quality at risk. The unions require firm assurances from the
University in this regard, and in particular an assurance that all course teams will be fully
involved in the development process preparatory to revalidation.

We look forward to your detailed written response by month-end; the Unions have jointly
agreed that this can be addressed to Adam Lincoln, UCU regional support official, at UCU
head office, Carlow Street, London, NW1 7LH, who will forward this response to the UCA
Union and Students’ Union officers.

Yours sincerely

Martin Pover – UCU Branch Chair (Farnham)
Steve Miller – UCU Branch Secretary (Farnham)
Dominic Rahtz – UCU Officer (Canterbury)
Sophia Phoca – UCU Officer (Maidstone)
Adrian Lovis – UCU Officer (Maidstone)
Maxine Munn – Unison Officer (Rochester)
Valentina Elizabeth – Unison Officer (Epsom)
Lee Gavin – UCA Students’ Union Rochester & Maidstone Campus Officer 2010/11
Benjo Taylor – UCA Students’ Union Farnham Campus Officer 2010/11
Alex Ronaldson – UCA Students’ Union Epsom Campus Officer 2010/11 & 2011/12
Pat Plested – UCA Students’ Union Canterbury Campus Officer 2010/11 & 2011/12
Luke Frost – UCA Students’ Union Maidstone Campus Officer 2011/2012
Dean Smith – UCA Students’ Union Rochester Campus Officer 2011/12
Steve Martin – UCA Students’ Union Farnham Campus Officer 2011/12