Cardiff University has significantly revised its plans concerning job cuts, reducing the number from an initial figure of 400 to 138. This transition comes after changes in the university’s cost-saving plan, and a wave of voluntary exits from many employees on staff. Students and musicians alike have been rallying to prevent the department from being closed. Their hard work has had a direct impact on the decision announced last week.
The university received tremendous pushback after the initial announcement of their intent to gut music programs. The planning committee’s decision attracted backing from Ed Sheeran, Stormzy and Sir Elton John among other big names. These fears were articulated in a letter to save music education at the school.
Aside from music, Cardiff University had planned to cut courses in ancient history and religion and theology. Instead, plans to close these two courses are continuing apace. If approved, they will now await final approval from the eight-member University Council.
Even with these cuts, Cardiff University have indicated a desire to avoid compulsory redundancies across 2025. The pledge was included as part of a negotiated settlement with the University and College Union (UCU). This accord effectively averted the threatened wildcat.
Vice Chancellor Wendy Larner communicated these updates to staff, emphasizing that while the music and modern languages departments would remain operational, they will function within a newly established School of Global Humanities.
“The departments will continue to exist, albeit with revised structures and with a smaller staff base,” – Prof Larner
This restructuring will prompt the music department to rethink its recruitment goals and what is taught in its curricula. In the meantime, contemporary language programs will continue to operate with reduced cohorts. Consequently, this is a cut of over 50% of their overall music and modern languages staffing.
The UCU reaction to the first round of job loss announcements was one of disappointment. They called out the management for keeping such an influx of staff under the threat of redundancy, with no clear end in sight.
“It is unacceptable that management continue to keep more than 400 staff in scope for redundancy with no end in sight,” – Cardiff UCU
