In the UK, the University of Bradford intends to cut its chemistry programme altogether. This decision places Dr Zak Hughes, the course lecturer, in danger of redundancy. Dr. Hughes has been an enthusiastic educator since 2018. Now, he experiences fear for the future as the university implements austerity measures to preserve what’s left of the student experience.
Dr. Hughes, 44, has a full plate this summer as he juggles all his duties. He is sending out his EOI to retain his post, all the while marking exams for his modules. This unique dual responsibility underscores an even more distressing fact for many of these staff as they face ever-increasing financial pressures. Removing the chemistry course is part of a larger trend at many UK universities. This troubling decision strikes a blow toward the long-term prospects of not just individual faculty members but students.
Dr. Hughes said he was deeply afraid of his termination. I don’t know how I’m going to get my rent paid and I’ll be in my 40s, living at home,” he said, stressing the individual effect of the crisis.
The university’s administration says these measures are absolutely necessary. Their goal is to safeguard the student experience and make sure that graduates are able to attain great outcomes. A spokesperson emphasized, “Like many other universities, we are having to make cost-savings to protect the student experience and ensure we deliver meaningful outcomes for graduates.”
What’s happening at the University of Bradford is part of an alarming development taking place at universities throughout England. According to the Office for Students, 40% of English universities are now thought to be in financial deficit. From the University and College Union (UCU), comes the very heavy news. In the last year, universities have announced more than 12,000 job cuts combined.
Students at Bradford are starting to experience the impact of these cuts already. Sanskrity Baraili, sabbatical officer at the students’ union The impact of these cuts are ruining student life. She said the loss of cleaning crews and change in disability services has had an obvious impact.
Castpar Cubitt, a theology student at the university, explained his anxiety about all of the unknowns that loomed over the institution’s fate. “People talk behind your back,” he said. This speaks to the anxiety that the current climate has caused students to feel. As to the persistent ousting of good leaders, he added that the process has “really put all of us on edge.”
As Dr. Hughes contemplates what these changes mean for his career and future, he remains concerned about the broader implications for students. He is concerned that proposed reductions to critical programs will increasingly erode the quality of education that the university’s students have come to expect.
“We remain firmly committed to ongoing dialogue as we take the necessary steps to enable us to deliver excellence and continue to be a bold, imaginative and world-leading university,” said Professor Sir Peter Mathieson, reflecting the administration’s stance amidst rising tensions.
