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University discusses cutback plan University agrees cutback scheme
(about 10 hours later)
Dundee University court is to meet to decide whether to accept a plan that could lead to some departments being reduced and job cuts. Dundee University court has agreed by 11 votes to five to accept a plan that could lead to some departments being reduced and job cuts.
The plan was drawn up to reduce the university's ongoing budget deficit, currently estimated at more than £1.5m.The plan was drawn up to reduce the university's ongoing budget deficit, currently estimated at more than £1.5m.
Like other Scottish universities, Dundee is growing, but it also faces mounting financial pressures.Like other Scottish universities, Dundee is growing, but it also faces mounting financial pressures.
It has been estimated that annual staffing costs will rise by 5% more than had previous ly budgeted for. The university, which will now discuss the plan with the unions, said it would try to avoid compulsory redundancies.
The report has recommended reducing the size of several departments, such as town and regional planning, modern languages and community education. It has been estimated that annual staffing costs will rise by 5% more than had previously been budgeted.
The plan recommends reducing the size of several departments, such as town and regional planning, modern languages and community education.
I reiterate our commitment to students, to staff and to the wider community in taking these measures forward Sir Alan LanglandsUniversity principal
Savings are also being sought in support services and in the estates - and could see the Botanic Gardens being sold off.Savings are also being sought in support services and in the estates - and could see the Botanic Gardens being sold off.
I'm going to be trying to persuade them not to take any rushed decisions Craig MurrayUniversity rector The university said that in 2005-06 it recorded a budget deficit of £1.6m and for 2006-07 it projects an underlying budget deficit of at least £1.6m.
The university said if the report was accepted, it would begin a consultation process. No imminent decisions are expected to be made. After the vote, university principal, Sir Alan Langlands, said: "We have a challenging time ahead - in common with other Scottish universities - but I am confident that the University Court has taken the right decision and these measures will secure Dundee's continued success to the ultimate benefit of students and staff.
Deborah Shepherd of Dundee University and College Union said a demonstration was planned at the university. "Universities are among society's most resilient institutions due to their capacity to continuously redefine their relationship to a changing world.
"We're also having a rally where a number of academics from affected universities will be going to support Dundee University College," she said. 'Quite premature'
The university released a statement explaining why the cuts were needed. "I reiterate our commitment to students, to staff and to the wider community in taking these measures forward."
It said: "In 2005-06, the university recorded a budget deficit of £1.6m.
"In 2006-07 we're projecting an underlying budget deficit of at least £1.6m.
"That is clearly not a sustainable position for the medium to long term."
'Academic tradition'
The university rector, former diplomat Craig Murray, opposes the cuts.The university rector, former diplomat Craig Murray, opposes the cuts.
"I'm going to be trying to persuade them not to take any rushed decisions and I want to make the point that universities should be about academic tradition," he said. He said: "This tendency, particularly at Dundee University, to expand the layers of bureaucracy while looking at cutting academic tradition, is not something that benefits students or the wider community."
"This tendancy, particularly at Dundee University, to expand the layers of bureaucracy while looking at cutting academic tradition, is not something that benefits students or the wider community."
James Alexander, president of the National Union of Students in Scotland, said: "It's quite premature for universities to be deciding their long-term financial future right before the Scottish elections and the spending review."James Alexander, president of the National Union of Students in Scotland, said: "It's quite premature for universities to be deciding their long-term financial future right before the Scottish elections and the spending review."