The Open University Relocation wrangles

A move from London to Milton Keynes for The Open University's Validation Services (OUVS) unit has prompted complaints from staff. The move was announced in April this year and is set for February 2009, with the OUVS's 35 or so staff given two months to say whether they were prepared to relocate. Despite efforts by the University and College Union (UCU) to delay the move, the university announced in July that the relocation date had been brought forward by a month to preserve business continuity. Roger Walters, president of OU's UCU branch, said he was "extremely angry" about the treatment of staff who, he said, had not been properly consulted and who were given very short notice to make "life-changing decisions". A university spokesman said the OU had "worked hard" to alleviate the impact and had offered those who do not want to move "a generous voluntary severance package".