By signing this petition you agree to the following as a result of the proposed changes by the University governers.

Dear University of Chichester Governors,

I am writing to express the profound concern on behalf of myself and current students/ alumni regarding the proposed structural changes we have been made aware of within the university, specifically the reduction of department heads from seven to three. As a former student representative of the creative industries and the founder of Graduates in Film C.I.C., I have seen firsthand the impact that dedicated leadership has on students’ academic and professional growth. I believe that this decision risks undermining the quality of education and research across multiple disciplines, particularly with the Department of Creative Industries. 

The consolidation of leadership in such a dramatic change, surely the university risks weakening the identity of individual departments that we are known for, reduction in specialised support for both students and staff and the creation of overburdening the remaining department heads. The creative industries in particular thrive on mentorship, collaboration and industry connections, all of which will see a decline in parallel to diminished leadership.

As a collective we would like to further add the invaluable contributions of Michael Holley to the department of Creative industries. His leadership has been great in fostering a dynamic and progressive learning environment, one that has consistently produced outstanding graduates who have gone on to make great contributions to the industry. His commitment has ensured that students not only receive an excellent education but also develop the professional networks necessary for success in the creative sector. To lose such leadership due to administrative restructuring would be a significant step backward for the department and its students.

Additionally, we have a petition set up for those in support of this letter- https://www.change.org/Chiunicreativeindustries Their support further highlights the detrimental impact this restructuring may have on both current students and the university’s broader academic community. As someone who continues to work with graduates and emerging creatives, I know the crucial role that strong, dedicated leadership plays in shaping careers and sustaining the reputation of the university.

Beyond these points, we believe that this decision opposes the core values and strategic goals outlined by the university. The proposed re-structure conflicts with the university’s commitment to strengthening the distinctiveness of the Chichester student experience as a high-quality, personalised, accessible and aspirational. Furthermore, reducing the department leadership undermines the university's mission to provide excellent staff experience and achieve disciplinary and cross-disciplinary excellence in research and innovation.

By merging several departments such as the conservatoire, Dance and Creative Industries students risk having less interaction with senior members of staff who play a vital role in their academic and professional development. Additionally, whoever takes on the role of overseeing multiple departments will inevitably have significantly less specialis

ed knowledge of each area, reducing the level of expertise and tailored support available to both students and staff. Ultimately, these departments are specialised to their creative field and should not be considered ‘one and the same’. This lack of dedicated leadership threatens to dilute the unique strengths and identities of these creative disciplines, potentially diminishing the quality of education and student experience.

This change could also negatively impact external academic engagement, which is essential for meeting regional needs and securing national and international recognition. The creative industries, in particular, rely on strong leadership to foster industry connections, business partnerships, and enterprise education- all key aspects of the university’s stated goals. Weakening leadership in this department threatens the university’s broader contribution to the economic ecosystem of West Sussex and the support it provides for graduate start-ups.

I was also involved in the hiring of the new Vice-Chancellor from a student perspective, and these proposed changes go against the values and priorities we outlined during that process. At the time, we emphasised the importance of maintaining strong, specialised leadership within departments to uphold the quality of student experience and academic excellence. This restructuring directly contradicts that vision and undermines the commitments made to the student body during that process.

We urge the university administration to reconsider this course of action and to engage in meaningful dialogue with faculty, students, and alumni to explore alternative solutions that preserve the strength and uniqueness of each department.

We look forward to your response and hope that the university will take these concerns into account.

Sincerely,

Amelia Sully 

Former Digital Film Production and Screenwriting Student, FOH at OnSight LTD and Founder/Company director of Graduates in Film C.I.C.