Dear Colleague,

With less than six months to go before the UK formally withdraws from the European Union I wanted to update you on what the University has been doing to mitigate the consequences of Brexit, and the support which we are giving to our non-UK EU members of staff.

Many of you will be aware of some of the articles that I have written in the press and statements that I have made on what I believe might be the implications of Brexit. As someone with dual UK/Italian citizenship I feel this on a personal level. As Principal of the University and also Chair of both the Russell Group and the Scottish Government’s Standing Council on Europe I can see the dangers for our sector, for our colleagues and friends who are EU nationals and for the wider economy and society that we serve and enhance.

I want to emphasise that we are doing everything in our power to inform both the UK and Scottish governments of our views and our concerns on the importance of Higher Education in the Brexit negotiations and in particular on securing the rights of our non-UK EU colleagues. We have been pressing for clarity on the Settlement Scheme process proposed for EU citizens in the UK, including how this will operate in the event of a no-deal.

I know that HR colleagues have been providing assistance and guidance and would urge anyone with any questions or concerns to talk to your local HR manager or seek information via the staff EU webpage at

https://www.gla.ac.uk/explore/euinformation/staff/

If you have a specific enquiry and would prefer to communicate by email, I would encourage you to write to hr-eustaffinfo@glasgow.ac.uk

Once further details of the government’s Settlement Scheme are confirmed, if there are colleagues who wish to consider applying for settled status in the UK, I confirm that the University will also reimburse the £65 cost of making an application. I know that many of you have had the opportunity to meet our immigration lawyers on a one-to-one basis and your feedback has assisted us in understanding your concerns.

I do appreciate how upsetting and unsettling a time this has been for all colleagues and especially those who come from EU countries – around 14.5% of our staff and 24% of our researchers. It is important that you feel supported by the University. You are greatly valued for the skills and experience that you bring to Glasgow and the contribution that you make not just to the University but to Scotland and the UK.

We will continue to keep you informed as we move towards EU withdrawal next March.

Anton Muscatelli

Principal and Vice-Chancellor

First published: 9 October 2018

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