FdA Journalism first-year students start petition

by Chris Hamer

A petition demanding for clearer information on how efficiency savings will affect students is being circulated around the London College of Communication (LCC) by foundation journalism students.

The petition has been created by Sydney Fleming-Gale and Natasha Iny, who raise concerns about University of the Arts' (UAL) management not supplying enough information on “how the planned efficiency savings will affect our education”.

The students also believe that LCC’s prestigious reputation within the media industry is being put "in jeopardy" as a result of “disputes over pay and employment".

“We rely on associate lecturers to give us our different modules and without them we would be struggling to get our industry-based education," said Sydney Fleming-Gale.

"Students also want to show support for their lecturers.”

Consistency

The students say they also want consistency in the standard of education that they are currently receiving, and ask that "lecturers are treated with due respect for their persistent hard work to their students.”

This petition echoes last year's demonstrations led by Joana Pinto, regarding the planned efficiency savings and strikes within UAL.

The University College Union will be balloting members until Tuesday over the cuts, and a strike or industrial action will be called in the near future if members vote in favour.

In an email to students, Nigel Carrington, the Rector of UAL said: "As with many other UK universities, UAL must manage cost savings across our institution in order to ensure the future economic viability of the University and to move resources to areas focused on enhancing the student experience.

"If UCU members gain a majority vote and take industrial action, this will regrettably lead to the disruption of student learning and access to facilities across the University. There may be a day, or a series of days, when staff taking action will not be undertaking their normal duties."

Carrington also told students that the impact of potential action will affect students differently, depending on their UAL college and course.

Information regarding the university’s ongoing Efficiency Programme is available online here.