In advance of the University Court meeting of 22 June, I want to ensure that all colleagues are kept informed directly of matters that will be on the table for discussion.

Court will consider our budget for 2011-12, and financial forecast for the years up to 2014-15, based on SMG recommendations.  My email of 3 June already explained that, as a consequence of all our efforts, we are now in a good position with our 2011/12 budget and significantly, we are well placed for the years ahead.                                     

At Wednesday’s Court we will also be deciding on the outcomes of our academic reshaping. Consultation panels took as long as they needed to form recommendations, and Senate, the Schools concerned, and the SRC had had the opportunity to give their own view on these conclusions. Senate had a very full discussion of all the reports on June 2.

In the case of Anthropology and Social Work; Archaeology, Classics and History; the Centre for Drug Misuse Research; and the Liberal Arts programmes, Dumfries; Senate accepted the recommendations of the consultation panels.

Senate also broadly endorsed the consultation report on the School of Modern Languages and Cultures, in maintaining the teaching of the full current range of modern languages at the levels currently taught. Senate expressed some qualifications, mainly in relation to whether non-language degree programmes should continue in the area of Slavonic Studies.       

Senate also supported the report on the Open Programme, subject to concerns expressed regarding the assured viability of provision following the phasing out of teaching grant support. However, Senate was overall more supportive of Nursing and Healthcare than the consultation report and the view expressed by SMG. Assurances were provided to Senate that in the case of Nursing and Healthcare, all programmes and activities would continue as normal at present, including admissions for academic year 2011-12, and for 2012-13. (Please note this correction to my earlier email).

I also assured Senate that Court on 22 June would not be asked by SMG to take any action in relation to staffing levels in areas covered by the consultation.

Similarly, the consultations do not impact on students currently enrolled on courses.

In all cases, the panels have come forward with innovative proposals, designed to strengthen our Schools and Colleges, and grow our reputation, without a significant reduction in the breadth of provision at Glasgow University.

This is a good outcome. You can read the executive summaries of all these final reports at: www.gla.ac.uk/staff/reshaping/academicshape/

I will write to you again after Court to inform you in full of all major decisions.

Anton Muscatelli

Principal

20 June 2011

 

 

First published: 20 June 2011

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