Dundee University to axe over 600 jobs as part of £35m deficit recovery plan
The plan includes the disposal of assets and a 20% reduction in module delivery
Dundee University could cut around 632 full-time equivalent positions as they aim to recover from a £35 million deficit.
The cuts make up part of the institutions recovery plan and would see 97 academic roles, 119 school-based professional services posts in schools, and 316 directorate roles-based professional services roles cut.
The plans also include proposals to dispose of assets, including property, intellectual property assets and share disposals, a reorganisation of research, a 20% reduction in module delivery and a review of leadership, executive and governance arrangements.
The institution say they are seeking measures to avoid redundancies or to minimise their impact where possible, but, it is very unlikely that the need for compulsory redundancy will be mitigated entirely.
'Committed to external investigation'
Professor Shane O’Neill, Interim Principal and Vice-Chancellor, said, “The current financial crisis has challenged us to ask some very fundamental questions about the size, shape, balance and structure of the University.
“The measures we are now proposing would make an essential contribution in our becoming a more appropriately balanced and restructured institution.
“Getting there will not be easy and we are determined to take on board all relevant lessons from the past and the various factors that contributed to the current position. We are committed to an external investigation into what went wrong, which will be co-sponsored with the Scottish Funding Council, and we will accept and act on the findings of that investigation.
“Savings in capital and operational expenditure have already delivered more than £17million of savings this year, some of them being recurrent savings. We will continue to exercise tight control on all expenditure.
“We need to realise more savings and income from non-pay and operational expenditure associated with our estate and intellectual property.
“The measures we are proposing would make an essential contribution in our becoming a more appropriately balanced and financially sustainable institution.
“Getting there will not be easy and we are determined to take on board all relevant lessons from the past and the various factors that contributed to the current position.
“In setting out our proposals towards a financial recovery and a sustainable future we have adopted an approach of frank realism and honest self-criticism in our assessment of the current situation and the challenges faced.
“There is an urgency for us to act promptly and we will continue to work intensively with the SFC and other stakeholders to ensure delivery of the sustainable and successful future we need for this great University, which is integral to the economic, social and cultural wellbeing of the city, our region and beyond.”
"Hammer-blow" for staff
Jo Grady, UCU general secretary, said: “This is a hammer-blow to hard working and committed workers at the university who are being made to pay the price for egregious management failure. It’s four months since workers first learned that there was a problem, and it feels that very little has happened in the intervening period to turn the university around.
"We are clear that there is an alternative to sacking staff and cutting courses, student support and vital educational provision in this city, and we’ll continue to do all we can to save jobs and to preserve education in Dundee.”
"Vital that Dundee recovers"
Responding to the University of Dundee’s Financial Recovery Plan, Minister for Higher and Further Education Graeme Dey said: “I understand this will be a deeply concerning time for staff and students at the University of Dundee.
“Whilst Dundee is an autonomous institution, it is my expectation that the University engages fully with staff and makes every effort to protect jobs. Compulsory redundancies should only ever be considered as a last resort, after all other cost saving measures have been fully explored.
“The Scottish Government, through the Scottish Funding Council, has been actively engaging with the institution and has been clear of the need for a comprehensive Financial Recovery Plan. The Funding Council will closely scrutinise this Plan and will continue to offer Dundee support as they secure a sustainable future.
“Our universities play a pivotal role in Scotland’s economy and wider society, and the University of Dundee is significant in that respect. It is vital that Dundee recovers so that it can thrive into the future and continue to make a positive impact on Scottish Higher Education.
“The Scottish Government recently announced an additional £15 million for the Scottish Funding Council to support universities such as Dundee. If there is a further financial ask to be made of Government in relation to the immediate challenges faced by the University, then this will be carefully considered.”
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