Save the School of Surveying & Planning

This petition had 1,346 supporters

The Issue

Steven Spier, the Dean of the Faculty of Art Design and Architecture in which the School of Surveying and Planning currently sits, is proposing to close the School and some of its courses, and redistribute the remaining courses among other Faculties. The closure of the school will result in the redundancy of over two thirds of the School staff and have a significant impact on current students.

The School of Surveying and Planning and it’s C-SCAIPE home is a unique learning environment for surveying and planning students where professional interdisciplinarity provides an approach to higher education that mirrors the integrated nature of the profession. The School has won awards for its pedagogy as well as its sustainability credentials and continuing entrepreneurial approach. It runs highly successful APC and short courses for which the School is renowned in industry. If the Faculty’s proposal were to go ahead this would all be lost.

By signing this petition you are calling on the Board of Governors to stop this proposal and keep the School of Surveying and Planning open.

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Surveying and Planning KUPetition Starter
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The Decision Makers

Steven Spier, Dean of FADA
Steven Spier, Dean of FADA
Kingston University
Responded
“Dear petition signatories: Save the School of Surveying and Planning, As you will be aware, Kingston University has opened a 30-day consultation with staff and trade unions about the future of the School of Surveying and Planning. The consultation opened on 19 February 2014 and it is important to note that no decisions have been taken at this point. Under the proposals, the majority of courses we currently offer would continue to run in other parts of the University. We are considering moving courses in building and quantity surveying to the University’s School of Civil Engineering and Construction. This would mean they would remain sitting together, but in a broader built environment context where we believe they will continue to flourish. Real estate would relocate to Kingston’s Law School to help form an Institute of Property. The MA in Art Market Appraisal and Foundation Degrees in Historic Building Conservation and Architectural Stonework would remain based in our Faculty of Art, Design and Architecture. Unfortunately, due to poor recruitment in planning, one of the proposals we are having to consider is the closure of our courses in this subject starting from the new academic year in September. Planning education has been struggling nationally for well over a decade. Should we decide to withdraw from planning, current second year students would be able to complete their degree at Kingston University. The University will do everything it can to ensure other students can complete their studies, either on a similar alternative course at Kingston or at another university. The proposal will not affect final year students. The proposals we are considering may result in the need for some staff redundancies. We are committed to working with staff concerned and trade unions to seek alternatives wherever this is possible. We understand this is an unsettling time for staff and the 432 students in the School and appreciate your concern for them and the future of our courses. We are in discussions with Kingston University Students’ Union, professional bodies and the relevant sections of the University to make sure all students currently based with the School continue to have a positive experience on the courses they are studying. Kind regards, Professor Steven Spier …”
Julius Weinberg, Vice Chancellor
Julius Weinberg, Vice Chancellor
Kingston University
Chair of the Board of Governors
Chair of the Board of Governors
Kingston University
Surveying & Planning Consultation
Surveying & Planning Consultation
Kingston University

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Petition created on 21 February 2014