News round-up: Students report feeling “abandoned” as the government debates their Christmas fate

News round-up: Students report feeling “abandoned” as the government debates their Christmas fate

by | Oct 16, 2020 | Academic freedom, Boris Johnson, Casual staff, CDBU Updates, Covid-19, Government, In the News, Marketisation, National Union of Students, News round-up, Opinion, Uncategorized, University governance

As Covid cases across the UK rise exponentially, universities have quickly become virus hotspots. Students forced into quarantine have reported feeling “abandoned” by their universities, raising concerns about the mental health crisis that might be...
News round-up: Tensions grow over the return of staff and students to university campuses

News round-up: Tensions grow over the return of staff and students to university campuses

by | Sep 18, 2020 | Academic freedom, Casual staff, CDBU Updates, Covid-19, Free speech, Government, In the News, Marketisation, News round-up, Opinion, Scotland, Uncategorized, Universities UK

Once again, the return of staff and students to university campuses has dominated Higher Education news. UCU insist that the risks of spreading Covid-19 is still far too high, especially without proper Track and Trace and testing protocols in place. Meanwhile, the DfE...
From Regulation to Regime: Are we seeing a government takeover of universities?

From Regulation to Regime: Are we seeing a government takeover of universities?

by | Jul 31, 2020 | Academic freedom, Covid-19, Free speech, Government, In the News, Marketisation, Opinion, Uncategorized, University governance

Words by Liz Morrish, independent scholar. One thing governments have learned over the last 30 years is not to let a disaster go to waste. In the guise of offering a survival strategy for universities in the pandemic, the Department for Education has issued a...
News round-up: Government “restructuring regime” threatens university autonomy

News round-up: Government “restructuring regime” threatens university autonomy

by | Jul 24, 2020 | Academic freedom, Casual staff, CDBU Updates, Covid-19, Employability, Government, Humanities, In the News, Marketisation, News round-up, Office for Students, Opinion, Tuition fees, Uncategorized

The government recently published their ‘Restructuring Regime’ for universities facing financial collapse, causing many to question whether university autonomy is a thing of the past. The petitions committee announced that there will be no automatic...
CDBU announces new Chair of Trustees and responds to government “Restructuring Regime”

CDBU announces new Chair of Trustees and responds to government “Restructuring Regime”

by | Jul 21, 2020 | Academic freedom, Casual staff, CDBU Updates, Covid-19, Employability, Government, Humanities, In the News, Marketisation, Press Releases, Uncategorized, University governance

PRESS RELEASE: July 21, 2020 The Council for the Defence of British Universities is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr Rowan Williams (Lord Williams of Oystermouth) as our new Chair of Trustees.  We offer a warm welcome to Lord Williams, who we know will...