Department of DIScontinuing Education
Lancaster University vice-chancellor has unilaterally announced that he wants to cut staff in the Department of Continuing Education at the University of Lancaster. This will have a massive impact on access to education in the region’s communities.
University Ward Green Councillor Ian McCulloch, who is supporting calls for a special meeting of University Court to discuss the situation with DCE, said “This is a curious announcement from the Vice-Chancellor, appearing to announce the closure of the Department of Continuing Education, but falling short of actually doing so. A review of DCE is apparently being undertaken and is still ongoing, yet we are also told that ‘a substantial reduction in the activities of DCE is required’ even though the review is not completed.
Continuing Education at Lancaster runs courses at venues across the region from Wyre Civic Centre to Ullswater Community College, Penrith, as well as courses on the Lancaster campus. The courses cover a wide range of subjects anything from Industrial Archaeology to Jungian Therapy.These courses may now be at risk
Cllr McCulloch went on to say “We are repeatedly told that no one can expect a single career to last them a lifetime, yet funding for the very department that supports people through career changes seems to be in doubt. No regard is being taken of the national picture, in which organizations such as The Open University and Birkbeck College are all suffering from a recent and arbitrary decision by the Department of Innovation, Universities and Skills to make a major cut in funding for lifelong learning.”
Lancaster University and College Union (UCU) is campaigning to stop these cuts and defend continuing education at the university
Sign the online petition in support of the UCU campaign now: