Save Linguistics campaign: it’s not over yet

Around 100 students and staff gathered in library square on Friday 1 May to protest against the linguistics cuts proposed by the University of Sussex. It was the third in what campaigners are hoping will be a long line of protests, culminating with a final objection outside the School of Humanities ‘Teaching and Learning Committee’ meeting in week 5. The linguistics cuts were announced to current staff and students in week 10 of the spring term and prospective students have been told that their course has been cancelled.

Paul Cecil, President of the Sussex branch of the University and College Union (UCU) was the first to speak, saying: “There has been absolutely no scrutiny of the proposal to shut the Linguistics programme. The lack of scrutiny by any committee is not only contrary to good governance, but also leaves the university at risk of making bad decisions, of which this is certainly one.”

He urged students and student representatives to raise the issue at departmental and School meetings during the summer term, adding that: “The majority of Linguistics applicants decided that they would still come to Sussex next year to do English Language so if the decision were reversed these students would almost certainly be very happy indeed to switch back to their chosen degree.”

Cecil also highlighted that expected student numbers for next year are very similar to the current year. Therefore, the staff cuts planned by the university will have a “detrimental effect on all students taking English Language and Linguistics courses.” He concluded by saying: “We believe that the decision can be reversed by the HUMS School Teaching & Learning Committee, and that at the very least the committee should rule that the proposal be subject to full and open scrutiny.”

Tom Wills, USSU President-elect then gave a speech that roused clapping and cheering amongst the audience. He began: “It’s ironic that when it comes to a discipline that is all about communication, the University management just isn’t getting the message.”

“We would like to know who suggested we cut linguistics, and why? This is not final. It hasn’t gone through the correct processes and can still be reversed.”

He reiterated that Linguistics was ranked second in the country in the Independent, adding that: “It’s one of our most over-subscribed courses and the decision to close the programme has drawn condemnation from all corners of the academic world. But for management in Sussex house, giving students and staff a choice about what they want to study is an extravagance.”

In a further attack on management he said: “They say it’s about sustainability, but amidst course closures and job losses, the only thing that’s being sustained is the vice-chancellor’s £230,000 pay packet.” He concluded: “If you give us cut-backs, we’ll give you hell. If management have any sense they’ll give in now. If they don’t we’ll keep making a scene, we’ll keep demonstrating and keep on campaigning, because it’s the only language that they understand.”

Josh Jones, a 3rd year sociology student spoke passionately about his views on the cuts, saying: “This is a battle for linguistics, but it’s also a wider battle. A battle for how we want our university to be run, how we want decisions to be made on the way our education is made possible.”

“The university management will probably tell us that we don’t understand; that we’re being naïve. I’m a 3rd year student – that means that I’ve actually been here much longer than the Vice-Chancellor. Why should he come here and tell us that he, almighty Vice-Chancellor, knows how to run a university, when we know our strengths and weaknesses, we know what makes Sussex peculiar from other universities and we will stand up for that.”

The protesters then made their way to Sussex House to seek answers from senior management led by Lee Vernon, USSU Finance Officer.  Despite the evidently high levels of emotion and anger among the protesters, the group remained peaceful as it approached the steps to Sussex House. The doors had been locked by security and people on the other side of the glass doors looked impatient to get out.

Caz Adlington, a 1st year student representative then spoke on the steps of the Sussex House saying: “Several meetings must have taken place in order to come to this decision. Where are the minutes for the meetings? They don’t exist. That’s because this decision wasn’t made according to proper procedure.”
“Every time you ask a question about what’s happened you get a different story. Why is linguistics being shut? Low funding. Why is linguistics being shut? Low RAE results. Why is linguistics being shut? Because senior management don’t like linguistics. Because they don’t care about linguistics. That’s why we’re here.”
Sam Crago, president of the Linguistics and English Language society at Sussex, concluded the talks by saying how the cuts might be the thin end of the wedge: “If we cut linguistics that sets a dangerous precedent for other courses, which are likely to get cut.”

Caz Adlington, a 1st year student representative then spoke on the steps of the Sussex House saying: “Several meetings must have taken place in order to come to this decision. Where are the minutes for the meetings? They don’t exist. That’s because this decision wasn’t made according to proper procedure.”
“Every time you ask a question about what’s happened you get a different story. Why is linguistics being shut? Low funding. Why is linguistics being shut? Low RAE results. Why is linguistics being shut? Because senior management don’t like linguistics. Because they don’t care about linguistics. That’s why we’re here.”
Sam Crago, president of the Linguistics and English Language society at Sussex, concluded the talks by saying how the cuts might be the thin end of the wedge: “If we cut linguistics that sets a dangerous precedent for other courses, which [like l linguistics] will firstly be merged with other departments, then taken down to a programme and then from a programme to just a couple of course options. And that’s not how it should happen.”

“If linguistics is saved that gives students power over management; power to say ‘we’re a university first.’ We understand that there’s a business element, but we would like Sussex to be an institution that values education over profit.” “The department are saying ‘our hands are tied’ – it’s senior management. Senior management are saying it’s the department. We would like to know who suggested we cut linguistics and why? This is not final. It hasn’t gone through the correct processes and this can still be reversed.”