As the only Russell Group university in Wales, Cardiff University is an upstanding institution with much to prove, yet it’s currently producing lower revenue than running costs. Due to these low margins, the university is proposing cutting almost 400 jobs and four schools, including nursing and modern languages. Protesters met at the Senedd to save jobs, arguing that instead of allowing Cardiff University to put hundreds of people under pressure to find a new place of work and possibly causing a knock-on effect in other organisations to cut costs, the Welsh Government needs to step up and provide financial or managerial support.
Vikki Howells, current MS and Minister for Higher Education in Wales addressed the Senedd on the topic recently to reassure people that the government was providing the support it could for Cardiff, but steadfastly reminding us that it is an autonomous business, and most of its funding comes from outside of the government. She did promise to call for a review of the structural changes that are needed in the higher education industry from Westminster, and while this review is needed, it isn’t a fast, hands-on approach to the current issue, and the Welsh government seems altogether blindsided by Cardiff University’s decision. Many protesters argue that Cardiff’s choice is jarring considering the reported £506 million in reserves that the University currently has, which (according to BBC reports) increased by 50% in a year.
While business professors at risk of being made redundant argue simply sitting on these assets wastes their potential, Cardiff has made clear that this money is not spendable cash. Worryingly, it doesn’t currently seem as though they will spend reserves to support the nursing school, which is at risk. Second-year nursing student and protester Katherine is deeply concerned, and reminded the University in her speech that “nursing is not a profession to be ignored or a cost to be cut. It’s what keeps the NHS running”.