University of the Arts London
Students’ Union University of the Arts London
Re: London College of Communication
A summary of the main issues arising from the meeting held on 12 November 2009 at 5.00pm following the occupation of the Rector’s office suite. Present:
Elizabeth Rouse Helen Gimber Carly Aslett Dave Lewis Kulbir Basra Richard Osborne Joana Pinto Louis Hartnoll
Deputy Rector President SU Culture & Diversity Officer Students’ Union UCU UCU ‘Oppose’ ‘Oppose’
An occupation of the Rector’s office suite took place on Thursday 12 November lasting for most of the working day. The occupation was organised by the ‘Oppose’ group and attended by approximately 15 people. The occupation was intended to draw attention to student and staff concerns in relation to course closures and staff redundancies at the London College of Communication. The Deputy Rector offered to meet representatives of the ‘Oppose’ group at 5.00pm. Following agreement that a meeting would take place, the occupation ended at approximately 4.45pm. The meeting was convened and hosted by the President of the Students’ Union. The meeting was constructive and all participants were able to express their views. It was agreed that communication at university level was important and that a further meeting would be arranged and attended by the Deputy Rector in due course. The meeting was opened by the President of the Students’ Union. The following substantive matters were considered: 1.
Course closure procedures and whether such procedures had been followed by the University.
2.
Consultation with the student body and whether sufficient consultation and communication had taken place prior to the decisions on course closures and staff redundancies.
3.
Clarification of the term ‘course closure’ and ‘resting courses’.
4.
The status of the ‘Oppose’ group as the representative voice of the student body and its relationship to the Students’ Union.
5.
The effects of the change programme at the London College of Communication on the student experience.
6.
The extent to which detailed planning of the change programme was undertaken and the status of the forthcoming report to the Academic Planning Committee.
7.
The position of the staff unions in relation to the staff redundancies.
8.
The actions of the University in relation to occupations.
9.
The effectiveness and regularity of communications during the course of the year.
10.
The availability of specialist staffing and resources in relation to courses that will not recruit from 2010.
11.
Dissertation supervision arrangements.
12.
Ensuring quality assurance processes remain effective.
13.
Quality of the delivery of courses in the short-term and during the forthcoming 12 months.
14.
Reputational consequences of the current situation for the College and the University.
15.
The use of additional security during the occupations and whether minimum ‘force’ was used appropriately.
16.
Future dialogue between students and the university.
Conclusion It was agreed by all participants that a further meeting would be arranged in 14 days to include all staff and student representatives in attendance on 15 November.