Staff and Students Strike Over Changes To Uni

A march and rally have been planned by union members who're angry over proposals that'll mean some course are cut and job losses.

Members of the University and College Union are demonstrating over plans to change the university into more of a technology institute.

They claim more than 100 jobs are under threat and the departments of geography, sociology, community education and music are all at risk.

The Save Our Subjects demonstration will see staff and students march around the campus at 12 o clock before a rally.

Union members will also hold a teach-in, including contributions from staff in all the departments at risk from the plans.

UCU Scottish official Mary Senior said: ``Staff and students share concerns over the plans at Strathclyde University.

"The university has a proud reputation for delivering a wide-ranging educational experience, from teacher education and social work to law and politics as well as science, engineering and technology.

The university must not put its reputation at risk by making swingeing, short-sighted cuts just as a new Scottish Government - committed to funding higher education - starts work at Holyrood."

It is hoped the rally will raise public awareness about the plans and show the strength of opposition to them.

Strathclyde Students' Association president Philip Whyte said: "This action is about bringing together staff, students and those external to the university with the aim of showing that this is a united campaign - one not about self-preservation, but the preservation of education itself.

So far we've been astounded by the messages of support and level of activity coming not just from students but practitioners in these fields far and wide, and organisations who understand their importance - now is the time to galvanise this into solid action against the proposals.

We will be carrying on with action as and when required - where and when it has the maximum impact, and puts our message across in a strong way.

It's vital that we prove just how much anger there is against these decisions, and the level of support that exists for the courses."