Dundee University said a “strategic review” of its activities will cost 195 jobs, 50 fewer than earlier worst-case estimates.
A spokesperson for the institution has said it hopes to shed that number by voluntary means, although compulsory redundancies have not been ruled out.
However, university principal and vice-chancellor Professor Pete Downes warned that, depending on the severity of today’s comprehensive spending review, the cuts may have to be deeper and “more radical.” A plan estimated to achieve 10-12% savings will be presented to the University Court meeting on Monday.
The strategic review will set the university’s future direction and identify where improvements can be made while placing it on a more stable financial footing.
Around 200-250 redundancies were mooted in April. Later it became clearer the figure would be nearer the lower of the two figures.
Medicine, life sciences, nursing and the Duncan of Jordanstone art college will be worst hit, losing a total of 67 jobs. Support services, used by the entire university, will lose 75 jobs.
Professor Downes said, “Consultation (on the strategic review) has been wide-ranging and has led to significant improvements in the proposals. The paper to court includes several exciting new developments including creating a school of the environment, a school of business and increased focus on areas of excellence across the university.
“This is about reprioritising our activities to… invest in those areas that will deliver excellence and impact.
“At the same time we have to establish the university’s future financial sustainability and have worked closely with the colleges and services to identify where savings can be made.”Funding cutHe said the higher education sector faced potentially considerable reductions in core funding.
“Its extent will become clearer following the comprehensive spending review and subsequent budget by the Scottish Government, and we must plan accordingly. The severity of cuts may force us to look beyond this review and at more radical proposals.”
The paper to go to the University Court says it is “widely expected” the cuts will knock another 25% off the university budget, or around £18 million.
It states, “It remains important that we deliver on the savings identified through the strategic review but court must also recognise that more significant savings are likely to be required to meet the scale of the cuts the sector will be facing in the near future.”
The university has already launched a voluntary severance scheme which is open to all staff.
Yesterday’s statement “hoped” savings could be achieved primarily through natural turnover of staff and voluntary means. Compulsory redundancies have not been ruled out but would only be used as a last resort.DUSA disappointedDundee University Students’ Association (DUSA) expressed disappointment, claiming cuts will “act to the detriment of the student experience.”
DUSA also criticised the university for what it perceived to be a “lack of consultation” over the spending proposals.
A spokesperson said, “In these difficult times, considering the potential ramifications for Scottish higher education as a result of the comprehensive spending review, the university must engage and consult with students at every stage of this process.
“DUSA feels that the university has not consulted with students to a satisfactory extent throughout the strategic review and encourages those involved in determining the strategic direction of this university to communicate these measures to students directly and immediately.
“It is in these difficult times that those responsible for managing universities lead from the front and those of a higher wage bracket consider their own salaries before large cuts to staff budgets.
“Inevitably any cuts to staff budgets will act to the detriment of the student experience and DUSA maintains its stance against any austerity measures that affect the quality of education received by students at the University of Dundee.”
The association said it recognised that the cuts proposed are likely to be the “tip of the iceberg” and that further government cuts could make the situation worse.