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News Archives

This is not normal! (Which side are you on?)

Published: 2nd March, 2021

[Updated: 4 March.] Nishan Canagarajah and his executive board have repeated claimed that the overwhelming opposition to their plans is ‘normal’. Judge for yourself whether this looks normal. If you’ve expressed a view which isn’t recorded here, please get in touch, as we’re constantly updating the graphic. We want to know, which side are you…

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On the 2019–20 accounts…

Published: 1st March, 2021

Earlier today the University of Leicester executive finally published its financial statements for the year ending 31 July 2020. Normally, universities must publish their accounts in mid-January. Although the Office for Students sanctioned an extension of the deadline this year – because of COVID – our employer was still one of few not able to…

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Love and solidarity – from a former colleague

Published: 26th February, 2021

A year ago (tomorrow) two Leicester UCU reps wrote a thank you letter to everyone in the branch for their contribution to collective action. In the history of this branch, I don’t there’s ever been a more appropriate time to pause and repeat this sentiment: to thank members of the branch and their wider family…

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Leicester UCU in 2 – Feb 25

Published: 26th February, 2021

In this week’s 2-minute summary, we reflect on some of what University of Leicester executives chose to share with staff in their Question-and-Answer session on February 24. You can watch the recording of that event here and/or you can read our live Twitter commentary here. Our conclusion: Nishan Canagarajah and his executive board are seeking…

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Letter on plans for Informatics

Published: 24th February, 2021

Letter to Prof. Nishan Canaranajah, 24 Feb 2021. Dear Vice Chancellor, The undersigned are former members of the erstwhile Department of Computer Science, and presently the School of Informatics at the University of Leicester. We enjoyed its passion for quality teaching, its vibrant research discussions, and the enduring sense of community. In short, Leicester was…

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Letter to Council

Published: 24th February, 2021

Letter sent to all members of University Council, 23 February 2021. A very similar letter was sent to all members of University Senate. Both are available as PDFs to download. Dear Member of Council I am writing to you about University of Leicester’s present problems. I am sure that the President and Vice-Chancellor has shared…

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“Shaping for Excellence” – a view from an academic librarian

Published: 23rd February, 2021

“Shaping for Excellence” proposes merging the Library’s User Services team with colleagues from the Student Services Team, to provide a single team to deal with a wider range of enquiries. It is User Services who have re-opened the David Wilson Library and who keep it operating. The University appeared to value their contribution by giving…

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German scientists’ ‘dismay’ at VC’s plans for Neuroscience, Psychology and Behaviour

Published: 23rd February, 2021

Open letter to Professor Nishan Canagarajah, President and Vice-Chancellor,University of Leicester, Leicester, UK.vc@leicester.ac.uk We write to express our profound dismay at the decision to close the “Mechanisms of Animal Behaviour” and “Systems Neuroscience” Groups in the Department of Neuroscience, Psychology and Behaviour at the University of Leicester. This decision will severely harm the University’s ability…

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I’m not at risk, but I’m affected

Published: 22nd February, 2021

The scope of the injustices taking place at the University of Leicester right now are staggering. For 145 colleagues, the threat of losing their livelihoods in what is still very much the middle of a global crisis, with no end in sight, is unconscionable as a starting point, but when faced with incompetently written and…

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I’m angry. My anger is off the scale. This is why.

Published: 18th February, 2021

I’m angry. Angry and tired. I am angry that the University Executive Board wants to make 145 of my colleagues redundant. All redundancies make me angry – and in over thirty years working in British higher education, I have been angry at too many proposed redundancies. This time, though, my anger is off the scale….

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