26th June 2012, 10:36 AM
Yup.... they are not covering themselves in glory here.
Here is my letter to the Vice Chancellor
It is with great concern that I am forced to write to you regarding the proposed action regarding the Institute of Archaeology and Antiquity (IAA) review. There are several proposals which seem unacceptable given the stature of the Institute in UK archaeology. A feeling that is somehow lacking in the review process itself, given the assertion that the Institute is failing.
I find it rather odd that a supposedly failing Institute is not looking at it's senior staff to be included in the review process, a process which leads people to believe ( rightly or wrongly ) that the composition of the panel lacks any legitimacy, given their own jobs are excluded from the review process.
In addition the lack of openness to the staff under threat of redundancy only highlights what looks like a seriously flawed review.
If this review continues in the manner that it does, I will be using all my resources and contacts to ensure that the full story is recorded and every action, email, account, name and report regarding this review is open for public scrutiny. The review is needed, but it needs to be transparent and seen to be fair, which it currently does not seem to be. Even if this a matter of perception, without a real openness, the review will always be tainted by the suspicions of an inadequate and inherently unfair process.
From what I know personally, been presented with in written form and additional communications from alumni - there is nothing that suggests the course of action proposed will have any other effect other than to destroy and diminish an organisation that still has a worthwhile future as a separate and dedicated Institute.
Education is not only about commercial viability and profit and commitment must be to the whole range of subjects that are on offer, to retain a balanced university structure.
Here is my letter to the Vice Chancellor
It is with great concern that I am forced to write to you regarding the proposed action regarding the Institute of Archaeology and Antiquity (IAA) review. There are several proposals which seem unacceptable given the stature of the Institute in UK archaeology. A feeling that is somehow lacking in the review process itself, given the assertion that the Institute is failing.
I find it rather odd that a supposedly failing Institute is not looking at it's senior staff to be included in the review process, a process which leads people to believe ( rightly or wrongly ) that the composition of the panel lacks any legitimacy, given their own jobs are excluded from the review process.
In addition the lack of openness to the staff under threat of redundancy only highlights what looks like a seriously flawed review.
If this review continues in the manner that it does, I will be using all my resources and contacts to ensure that the full story is recorded and every action, email, account, name and report regarding this review is open for public scrutiny. The review is needed, but it needs to be transparent and seen to be fair, which it currently does not seem to be. Even if this a matter of perception, without a real openness, the review will always be tainted by the suspicions of an inadequate and inherently unfair process.
From what I know personally, been presented with in written form and additional communications from alumni - there is nothing that suggests the course of action proposed will have any other effect other than to destroy and diminish an organisation that still has a worthwhile future as a separate and dedicated Institute.
Education is not only about commercial viability and profit and commitment must be to the whole range of subjects that are on offer, to retain a balanced university structure.