A meeting of Cardiff University staff has voted overwhelmingly to hold a vote of no confidence in the leadership of Vice Chancellor Professor Wendy Larner and the university’s executive board. Members of the University and College Union (UCU) voiced their anger over the leadership’s proposed plans to axe 400 academic posts and cut schools and programmes in nursing, music, modern languages, ancient history, and religion.

The 400 posts represent 7% of the university workforce and 13 per cent of academic staff at the university, the UCU said. Those 400 job losses will likely be followed by more cuts to administrative and support staff later this year.

The UCU Cardiff University branch said that at the biggest meeting in the branch’s history on February 5 353 voted in favour of holding a vote of no confidence with only three against. A ballot for possible strike action, or action short of strike, is also likely to follow. The vote follows the Vice Chancellor's admission that financial problems could have been addressed sooner and you can read more about that here..

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The UCU said in a statement: “The deep cuts at the institution announced last week, along with the manner of their announcement, have damaged the university’s standing at home and abroad. Staff are concerned that the handling of the crisis is causing irreversible damage to the university’s reputation at a very precarious time.

“Cardiff UCU has repeatedly argued that the cuts are not just cruel, but unnecessary, and hinge upon the university’s overly ambitious plan to achieve a 12% operating surplus year on year. This would make sense if it were a business, or even if it were a university without reserves in excess of £500m (£188m of which are accessible), but it is neither. “The UCU insists that a more gradual, less draconian, recovery plan which draws on available cash is still possible.” You can read more details of the proposed cuts here and details of a mass rally held against them this week here.

UCU general secretary Jo Grady said: “The overwhelming vote of no confidence in the vice chancellor reflects the deep-seated anger and frustration within Cardiff University. Staff deserve leadership that fights for their jobs and for the integrity of education, not reckless job cuts that put livelihoods at risk. It is crucial that the administration listens to the voices of those who are dedicated to our students and the future of the institution.”

Cardiff UCU President Dr Joey Whitfield said: “The nature of the plan, and the manner in which it was communicated, demonstrates a dereliction of the duty of care the university executive have for their staff and the duty of stewardship they have over this important institution.

“The cuts will have a profound impact on student recruitment, our students’ wellbeing and security, attracting and retaining academic talent, the university’s relations with the NHS, Welsh and UK Governments, and other key stakeholders, as well as the economic and cultural life of Wales as a whole. It’s no wonder that staff and students have lost confidence in the executive’s leadership.

“We’ll continue to make the case for a less damaging recovery. To underscore that, we will push for a huge turnout in this no confidence vote, as well as the ballot of our members on industrial action up to and including strikes and a marking boycott. Cardiff staff won’t take this lying down.”

Cardiff UCU Media Spokesperson Dr Andy Williams said: “The anger among our members and Cardiff students is palpable, especially because they see this whole mess is avoidable.”

Cardiff University has insisted it has been impacted, like other universities around the UK, by inflation, fewer higher paying international students, static home tuition fees and new National Insurance payments. The Vice Chancellor has pointed out that reserves cannot be dipped into and that a plan to rein back the deficit is now needed.

Responding to claims that remedial action could have been take sooner a university spokesperson told WalesOnline earlier this week: “We reject the accusation that the university should have acted sooner. We have acted. We have taken a series of measures to address the immediate and unprecedented financial pressures we’re facing. A Voluntary Severance Scheme (VSS) and wider recruitment controls, a rationalisation of our estate and other cost saving measures have been put in place and are helping to address the immediate financial challenge.."

Announcing a 90-day consultation on the suggested cuts and 400 job losses last week the university said compulsory redundancies will be used "only if absolutely necessary". Ancient history, modern languages and translation, music, nursing, and religion and theology subjects will be dropped and some schools will be merged.

Prof Larner said as the consultation began: “The precarious financial position of many universities, particularly in the context of declining international student applications and increasing cost pressures, and the need to adapt to survive are well-documented. We know here at Cardiff University that it is no longer an option for us to continue as we are.”