The University of Sussex has announced plans to shed up to 100 staff in a bid to save £5 million.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Michael Farthing today blamed “tough times” for the cuts, which will be made to less popular departments.
The university has not yet disclosed which will be affected, but the News understands staff will be told tomorrow where the jobs are most likely to be lost.
However, it said today it will be investing in successful areas of the university, which include:
- business, management and economics
- mathematical and physical sciences
- global studies
- media, film and music
Professor Farthing said: “We do not embark lightly on changes which result in posts being lost. No one wants to see their friends and colleagues lose their jobs. Where possible we will try to avoid compulsory redundancies. Staff affected by the changes will receive our support and help.”
He added: “The University of Sussex has an international reputation and produces research of international excellence across the disciplines. We attract world-class academics and have seen our international student numbers rise by 45% since 2006. We are extremely proud of this.”
“I am confident that the steps we are proposing will help safeguard our future as one of the UK’s top research universities.”
Consultations on the proposals are now taking place with campus trades unions and staff affected.
No decisions will be made until the consultation is completed in March next year, when the final plans will be presented to the university’s council. No posts will end before July 2010.
The university currently employs 2,300 staff and its annual turnover is £160million.
In the last year, the number of overseas postgraduate students coming to study at the University of Sussex has grown by more than 50%.
It is also developing research in new areas, such as climate change, bio-medical engineering, medicinal chemistry and digital humanities.
The university’s strategic plan, Making the Future, can be found here.
