Exeter rethinks staff losses

Exeter University has revised plans to axe up to 120 staff jobs.

Its "restructuring" plan has been rewritten by its academic policy committee, following criticism by senate members.

Lecturers' union leaders say around 70 jobs are now expected to go under the new proposals, put forward by the committee for consideration by the university's council at its meeting on Monday.

A new consultation paper places greater emphasis on cash cuts, and less on replacing staff in an effort to boost flagging research ratings. It says the university needs to save Pounds 3.1 million, rather than Pounds 2.8 million as originally stated, to offset cuts imposed by the Teacher Training Agency and losses arising from some poor performances in the Research Assessment Exercise.

John Inkson, Exeter's deputy vice chancellor, said any job losses will be covered by voluntary early retirement. But the Association of University Teachers says the proposed cuts are so large that a significant number of job losses is inevitable.