Sports to be Scrapped?
Students at Southampton University have been told of possible plans to scrap their subjects and transfer them elsewhere to finish their courses, writes Richard Bliault.
Students studying sports-related degrees could now be moved to lower ranked universities as part of Southampton's "strategic review". Students have been assured that when moved they will still get a Southampton University degree. The move comes as the University seeks to make sure that all the subjects it offers have a world-class research base.
Deputy Vice-Chancellor Kate McLuskie told The OxStu that with the current state of funding for British universities there simply "isn't the up front cash" to consider setting up a research base for their sports-related subjects.
Luton in a similar vein has recently announced the redundancy of 34 staff as it struggles to find funding.
Also announced is a relaxation of its exam regulations to allow students who fail a quarter of their second-year modules to complete their degree. This is most likely an attempt to keep students within the University as it struggles to curb a 25 per cent drop out rate that it cannot afford.
12th Feb 2004