Prudence

From Anonymous Academic, Cardiff UniversityWhen Patrick Younge, Chair of Council, asked the Vice Chancellor what she thought was the most overrated virtue, her answer was striking: “Prudence.” Knowing what we now know, this feels like a missed warning. Cardiff University’s leadership is barrelling ahead with their Academic Futures proposal—a rushed and reckless restructuring "plan", riddled with errors and contradictions…

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Narrative versus reality

From Anonymous Academic, Cardiff University Let’s fact-check what Cardiff University’s two most senior figures—Vice-Chancellor Professor Wendy Larner and Chair of Council Patrick Younge—told the Senedd’s Children, Young People and Education Committee. The VC said: "We consistently monitor staff wellbeing". The reality? Not once, in the four agonising months since the distressing announcement of 400 job cuts, did the University Executive Board (UEB) survey staff wellbeing.

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The “Business Case” is anything but

From Anonymous Academic, Cardiff University After over 4 agonising months since the announcement of the "Academic Futures" proposal, and having already lost over 7% of its academic workforce, the Cardiff University Executive Board (UEB) has presented its final “Business Case” to staff; a document that is to be scrutinised and deliberated on by Council in less than a single working week.

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Shock the system – Trumpian Tactics?

From Anonymous Academic, Cardiff University When Cardiff University’s Vice-Chancellor announced plans to cut 400 full-time equivalent (FTE) jobs (including my own), it sent a wave of shock and uncertainty through our institution. Staff, students, and unions have reacted with understandable fear and resistance. But was this drastic announcement ever really about cutting 400 jobs? Or was it something else entirely—a calculated strategy to push through change under duress?

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Cardiff University should use £500m reserves to avoid job cuts, union says

Cardiff University has £500m in reserves, but says that money cannot be freely spent.

bbc.co.uk

University imposing massive job cuts and School closures has £0.5bn in unrestricted reserves

Martin Shipton Newly published accounts for Cardiff University – which has announced massive job cuts and School closures – reveal that its overall surplus increased by nearly sixfold in a year and th...

nation.cymru

Cynefin, in name only

From Anonymous Academic, Cardiff University The Welsh term Cynefin describes a sense of belonging, rootedness, and familiarity with a place and its people. Cynefin speaks to the deep connection that individuals have with their institutions and communities. It's a term that Cardiff University's Vice-Chancellor Wendy Larner has used repeatedly to describe her vision for the University: "Cynefin’ is a touchstone for us, a place where people feel they belong.

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Cynefin, in name only

From Anonymous Academic, Cardiff University The Welsh term Cynefin describes a sense of belonging, rootedness, and familiarity with a place and its people. Cynefin speaks to the deep connection that individuals have with their institutions and communities. It's a term that Cardiff University's Vice-Chancellor Wendy Larner has used repeatedly to describe her vision for the University: "Cynefin’ is a touchstone for us, a place where people feel they belong.

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Letter to the VC – Dr Tom Johnston

From Dr Tim Johnston, former academic staff at Cardiff University in composition Dear Vice Chancellor, I am writing to you to express my dismay and great distress at the news of Cardiff’s exception…

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Letter from Wellington

From the President of the Union, University of Wellington, Victoria Dear colleagues: I was upset to read the news this morning of these proposed job cuts at Cardiff, and wanted to send a message of solidarity from Victoria University in New Zealand. I was in the union branch through two rounds of job cuts and austerity, with Wendy Larner in the senior leadership team at the time.

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