A UNION claims a university has ripped out “the heart of the local community” after shutting down a campus, with students “now bracing themselves” for the new term.
Essex University announced in December that it was closing its Southend Campus and relocating all courses to the Colchester site at Wivenhoe.
The closure was in a bid to secure the institution’s financial future, with 200 academic roles and 200 professional service staff members set to be cut over the next two years.
Teachers and students took part in strike action at both campuses in February whilst a consultation was still underway.
The Southend campus closed at the end of August.
Unison University of Essex branch secretary Ryan McCready says many staff members “are still struggling to wrap their heads around” the closure.
"Shutting down an entire campus and ripping the heart out of the local community simply makes no sense,” said.
“Many students are now bracing to leave the city they’ve made home to commute to Colchester.
“The costs of a return train ticket between Southend and Colchester will be over £40 a day, fuel prices are sky-high, and the local infrastructure around the Colchester campus — not to mention the A12 — is already at capacity without more students and staff joining the rat race.
“It’s not fair or right for anyone within the county.
“University managers have rejected out of hand any suggestions to ease the strain on roads and public services.
“And the cuts aren’t stopping at Southend. Senior managers are still looking to sack hundreds of staff in Colchester to balance the books.
“It’s going to gut the support staff can provide students and cause even more problems going forward. The vice-chancellor must stop these attacks on the university.”
Vice-Chancellor Professor Frances Bowen said: “We’re extremely grateful for the commitment and professionalism of colleagues in Southend who have continued to provide an outstanding service during this transitional period.
“So far, 92 per cent of current Southend students have indicated they will be continuing their studies with us, and this is likely to increase as we continue to complete compensation applications, with just one per cent of students indicating they will not be staying with us.
“We are looking forward to welcoming the hundreds of students transferring across from the Southend Campus in the autumn and we’re in the middle of one of the most exciting and ambitious estates programmes in our history, which will breathe new life into some of our most iconic buildings while creating world-class facilities for East 15 Acting School and the School of Health and Social Care.
“We will continue to work within Southend, including our outreach into schools and supporting businesses through innovation and research."
The Essex University boss added that concentrating teaching, research and student services at its Colchester and Loughton campuses will create a stronger, consolidated base.
The move is intended to help the institution respond to the financial pressures facing UK higher education.
She said it must deliver its mission differently to give students the best environment to flourish.
The autumn term starts on October 8.
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