Once the meeting came to a close, many students lingered in the hall, discussing what had just been said and expressing their solidarity with lecturers. I took the opportunity to interview everyone, from freshers to PhD students, to get a deeper insight into their opinions and emotional well-being.
Do you feel questions and concerns were answered at the meeting?
“I feel like they told us everything they could.”
“I feel like they weren’t given enough information so they couldn't answer everything to the full potential and the uni could have told them more.”
“We are waiting on more information from higher up.”
“We’ll have to wait for more information after the ninety-day consultation period, but we just don’t know what next year looks like.”
Do you think this will affect your experience of Cardiff?
“Yes, no matter what the lecturers say, it will affect us.”
“They can try to reassure us that we will still have an amazing experience, but I don’t feel this can be guaranteed.”
“Unfortunately, by the university putting this information out, they have damaged the reputation of the music school to anyone who may want to join next year.”
“No one will want to join now; I wouldn’t want to join. This will affect student interactions and the community.”
What are your main concerns?
“The module options.”
“Part of the reason people come to the Cardiff School of Music is because of the wide range of module options, particularly in year one. This makes the degree broader and allows individuals to become the musicians they want to become. This advantage may change if modules have to be altered.”
“We feel devalued and are going to be here for the next two or three years knowing the university don’t want or value us.”
“I’m angry but not surprised, because music degrees are often looked down on and seen as less valuable”
What’s something you want fellow Cardiff students to know about the course and what’s happening?
“It’s more than just a course; we’re a family here.”
“I would love to show any of the members of Cardiff University the building and vibrancy the course has and show them our concerts. I would love to put a concert on for them just to show the experience we get to have and are so grateful for.”
“Music is a family; it’s a collective. Music is our lives, it’s what we’ve been doing since childhood. It’s not just a course. It’s much more than that; it’s our livelihood and what we stand for.”
As first-year students do you feel any anxiety and apprehension on what will happen in the second year?
“Extremely, the modules could change but I love they way they are now.”
“Lots of anxiety.”
“I didn’t sign up to pay thousands of pounds for these dilutions in my course.”
Question to second-years, third-years and PhD students: As you’ve had more time and experience at the school what’s your reaction to all that’s happening?
“The word I would use is abhorrent.”
“Distraught and ashamed.”
“Embarrassed and extremely angry. Honestly, so many emotions. We just feel so disrespected by the central team in Cardiff University. I feel like they don’t want to speak to us or listen to our concerns.”