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Thursday 21st February 2019 | No. 815
Food and Drink look back at how Summatives stressing you we celebrated Chinese New Year out? Comment discuss dealing with the pressure in Durham
Brexit puts Erasmus funding under threat Jack Taylor News Editor
▲’Yellow Vest North East’ were protesting in Durham Market Square over the weekend (Mark Norton)
Modern Languages staff feel like “second class citizens”
Grade 6 staff are excluded from the Academic Progression scheme and have told Palatinate they feel at a “dead-end”
Jack Taylor and Alex Leggatt News Editors Staff in the School of Modern Languages & Cultures feel like “second class citizens” amid concerns over career progression. Grade 6 academic staff members, who are primarily from the MLAC department, spoke to Palatinate about being excluded from a scheme which supports academic growth. The University first piloted the Academic Progression scheme in 2017 as part of the University‘s 10-year strategy which aimed
to “promote job satisfaction, productivity and career progression routes for employees, and create communities of practice within which colleagues can develop their professional expertise”. At the time, Grade 6 teaching staff expressed their concerns over their exclusion from the scheme to the previous Head of School. Despite this, the staff of the department were ignored as the scheme went ahead. Palatinate was told by MLAC staff members that this move left them feeling like a cheap and casualised workforce within
the University, and in a “dead-end situation”. Grade 6 staff teach students, develop the curriculum, set examination material and engage in scholarship projects. It is also understood that these staff take extra steps in enriching students wider University life and promoting languages within the University. At a meeting with the Human Resources Department, the idea of placing these Grade 6 staff members within the Jobs Families network was mentioned. This network is used for roles such as teaching but also includes estate, infrastructure, participation and business roles.
This sparked more backlash amongst those of the Grade 6 teaching staff, who called the move inappropriate. Their main criticism was that the required level of qualification for the Jobs Families network was GCSE grades. Palatinate has however been told by the University that many existing members of this network are qualified to degree level and some to a postgraduate and professional level. They also stated that some amendments will be required to Technical, Research and ... Continued on page 4
A No-Deal Brexit poses a threat to Erasmus funding, students have been told. Potential Erasmus students have been warned by the University that government notices “cast doubt” over funding for placements set to take place in 2019/20. The Erasmus+ scheme gives Durham students the opportunity to study abroad as part of their degree. The University also receives students from other countries to study in Durham each year. The email, sent to prospective exchange students, also explained that the University are “optimistic” about the security of funding for 2018/19 placements. A student currently applying for a placement in 2019-20 told Palatinate: “Doing an Erasmus scheme has always been really important to me. It’s such a unique experience and there are so many skills and benefits I believe are to be gained from a year abroad. “I think it’s very scary that there may not be funding for the scheme after Brexit. A year abroad should be something that is affordable to all students who wish to take one and I am now worried about being able to cover the costs of flights, accommodation and livings costs in the city I am planning to move to next year.” The news contradicts an assurance issued by the government in July 2018, where they promised to underwrite the payment of Erasmus funding in the event of a No-Deal Brexit. The European Commission has proposed measures to avoid the disruption of Erasmus+ learning activities in the event of a No-Deal scenario. The University has said that they are working with European partners to ensure bilateral... Continued on page 4