University of Portsmouth students feel ‘shortchanged’ and ‘physically sick’ at proposed job cuts

Around 50 students were joined by the University of Portsmouth's English Literature lecturers at a Guildhall Square protest over the planned cuts to their department.

More than 4,000 people have signed a petition against the cuts.

The university is proposing to cut the number of posts in the department from 12 to five full-time positions.

This has angered students on the course who feel the cuts will impact on their module options and support.

Jasmine Lallis, 19, said: ‘I don’t think the educational aspect has been considered.

‘We’ve just taken our module options but we are expecting some of these not to run as the specialists won’t be here.

‘The atmosphere on the course is terrible. It’s making some people physically sick.’

After paying £9,000 a year in fees, first-year student, Keelie Stout, 19, is concerned the course will end up ‘not being what I signed up for’.

‘The course was advertised with specific modules and a certain level of support,' she said.

‘We are paying a lot of money in fees and it would be a big let down if we don’t end up getting the course we were promised.’

For post graduate student, Andre Buller, 21, it’s the potential lack of specialist support to complete his Master’s degree which is of greatest concern.

He said: ‘I have to submit my dissertation in September but if my specialist tutor isn’t here who is going to mark it?’

The university has said dwindling student numbers as the reason behind the proposal but Andre feels this does not justify the cuts.

‘You need a specialist in that module area to teach the content and mark the work,’ he commented.

Students’ anger has been compounded by the recent revelation that vice-chancellor, Graham Galbraith, was awarded a £9,000 pay rise taking his annual salary to £282,000.

Postgraduate student, Amy Thomson, 21, said: ‘It’s disappointing that some of this money could not be spent elsewhere.’

A statement from a university spokeswoman said: ‘This proposal is being discussed with staff and their union representatives over the course of a 30 day consultation period.

‘There are no plans to close English Literature or reduce it so much that it is unable to succeed.’

University staff said they had been advised by their union not to comment while negotiations are ongoing.