Categories: uncategorized
Date: 24 June 2011 15:17:55
The BSA has a blog relating to the "challenges" faced by Sociology - particularly in Higher Education - as a result of recent government funding cuts. One of the interesting articles highlights the issues at Strathclyde University. They are focusing on cuts being proposed to the Sociology and Geography departments. I understand from this article in the Herald Scotland, which a friend posted recently on FB, that Glasgow is also planning to bring the axe to courses including their Slavonic Studies - which is unique to them. Wrote this being vague and then saw that she had blogged it - cheers and congratulations on the rest of that post Jack.
The HE sector in Scotland is not alone in these decisions; English universities are facing similar issues and so are colleges of Further Education. I am linking to the Union page for one North East City's UCUÂ - the stories on here begin to tell their own story. I would comment further having heard some more of what this will mean in practice, but even though I do not teach or study at any of these institutions I don't believe it would be prudent to do so.
With all this going on one should be able to tell that the action by public service employees next Thursday (30th) is not simply about protecting our pensions. Almost daily I am talking to people working in different areas of our public services who are talking, "restructuring", "regrading" and "people applying for their own jobs" as well as talk of courses students want to take, but which may not be the most obviously "business orientated" being cut or having their funding removed.
We all understand that savings need to be made, but we need to look at what financial savings are actually being made and what the social consequences in the future will be.
Whilst I don't want to knock bankers, one is my best friend and soul mate, I did read this FB post recently which I think is relevant:
"Remember when teachers, nurses, doctors, social workers and lollipop ladies crashed the stock market, wiped out banks, took billions in bonuses and paid no tax? No, me neither. Please copy and paste to your status for 24 hours to show your support for the strikes against the government's latest attack on pensions."