We are horrified by the decision of SOAS management to drastically cut the fractional staff budget and to suspend research leave. No member of staff – especially the most vulnerable ones on precarious contracts – should be held responsible for deficits caused by the introduction of a cut-throat market logic into higher education. No university should be left to “fail” and no institution should be left to fight alone. We send our solidarity to all staff and students at SOAS and demand that the cuts be immediately reversed. If the government was willing to bail out bankers who presided over a massive economic crisis, then the government should bail out universities who are providing a vital public service.
There will be an emergency protest on Thursday 23 January at 1pm, SOAS front steps.
GUCU executive 21.01.2020