Sussex Not For Sale

The restructuring proposals forwarded by the VCEG will not only be discussed in the extraordinary meeting of senate on the 27^th May but also on the 13^th of May in an open meeting between the VC and staff of the university.

It is unacceptable for the VCEG to expect university staff to comment on the altered proposals if they have not been given appropriate time to examine the documents. For this reason we believe it is essential for the VCEG to release the proposed restructuring document by no later than the 9^th of May.

The VCEG has been conducting meetings with Deans of Schools and Heads of Departments, an attempt to gain acceptance from a university community conceived of as comprising atomized, competing and self-interested units.

It is essential that staff be given the chance to discuss the proposals as an informed community, to hear from each other what concerns may exist.

If this discussion can be limited by withholding the proposals until the last minute it only serves to further the VCEG’s agenda of hurried and tokenistic consultation.

It is only when we come together that we are able to see that there exist options beyond self-preservation through pro-active engagement with the VCEG’s proposals.  

We demand that the VCEG release the restructuring plan that will be put to next month’s extraordinary senate by the 9^th May, to give adequate time for all staff to assess it.