We the undersigned are concerned about the direction Falmouth University is taking and the reasons for the changes. We want transparency from the University and ask for our concerns to be addressed publicly in full by the end of January 2017, by posting answers on the Falmouth University website, through local and national media, and with ourselves via this Change.org petition page.

Tim Shaw's heartfelt, brave and remarkable open letter* to Falmouth University highlighted a leadership based upon the complete vandalism of the heart of a university that has a huge cultural legacy and impact; for its students, alumni, home towns of Falmouth and Penryn, county, and the UK.  

The closure of Contemporary Crafts degree, with its heritage in the Cornish tradition of craft practise, and more recently the suspension of Foundation Diploma Art & Design, a course that truly offers the first steps into the 'creative industries', have unsettled the core of the University - staff and students alike. The reverberations of these closures are equally felt within the wider communities of Falmouth, Penryn and indeed across Cornwall, with many wondering which course will be next? The climate of uncertainty that has been created can only stifle creativity - what kind of environment and culture is this for study to be successful? 

Both the Contemporary Crafts degree closure and the Foundation Diploma Art & Design suspension have allegedly been driven forward by Vice-Chancellor, Professor Anne Carlisle and her deputies, Professor Geoff Smith, Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Professor Alan Murray, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic). Right now, allegedly, Murray is also instigating a review, and leading the reduction in studio space and facilities, of Fine Art. 

Yet the University is growing and student fees seem to be supporting the massive salaries of the University executive management while the students themselves are squeezed into work and living spaces as though playing sardines.

Accommodation problems abound, and with the planned hike in student numbers, and the resulting impact upon current and future students and the towns of Falmouth and Penryn one cannot help but fear for the future. 

The current situation must raise very serious concerns about the culture, leadership, and management of the University for the student centred Chancellor Dawn French, and the Board of Governors. Let us also hear their voices.

We therefore request transparency from the University in the following areas, and that the questions below are answered by Professors Carlisle, Smith and Murray, the Board of Governors, and the Chancellor. All are responsible for the current situation.

There are three main areas of concern 1. How student fees and EU funding have and are being spent, 2. Health & Wellbeing of University Staff and Local Community, and 3. Research and Excellence within the Arts. Pertaining to these here follows questions and information requests we wish to be answered publicly by the end of January 2017:

1. How student fees and EU funding have and are being spent.

Foundation Diploma Art & Design

• Robert Hillier has alleged that the Foundation Diploma Art & Design is not paying for itself and is being supported by other courses (http://www.thecanary.co/2016/11/25/renowned-artist-lifts-lid-life-british-university-makes-shocking-reading/ <http://www.thecanary.co/2016/11/25/renowned-artist-lifts-lid-life-british-university-makes-sh> We would like to see evidence of this.
• We would like to see details of the consultation on the future of Foundation Diploma Art & Design and know what areas the consultation is focusing on.
• If Foundation Diploma Art & Design is reinstated what plans are there for its delivery and recruitment, and what are the financial implications of the suspension and consultation?
• What compensation was or will be made to those prospective students who attended recent open days with a view to applying for the Foundation Diploma Art & Design? When was the decision made to suspend the course and why were the open days allowed to go ahead?

University Campus developments

• Details of the costs of both the territorial FALMOUTH sign and Falmouth University light-beacons on Woodlane, Falmouth, and of how these were, and continue to be, funded?
• What is the agreement on use of the EU funded AIR building, the original purpose of which was to support research and innovation? We require detail on how it is currently being used, and full information costs of refurbishment for the Vice-Chancellor’s office and of how the University is fulfilling its obligations to funders such as the EU.
• We require detail regarding the new cafeteria development on Falmouth campus. What are the health and safety reports regarding this building – it is alleged that some staff have become ill due to lack of ventilation? What were the costs of new trees and shrubbery and how were they paid for? What precautions were made against the onset of adverse weather – not uncommon in a coastal town – and flooding?
• Off campus what are the University’s plans for the current Foundation Diploma building in Wellington Terrace if the course should be closed?
• We would like to see the reinstatement of the Alan Livingstone plaque, and hear explanation as to why this plaque has been removed. 

Bonuses & student fees

• We would like to have made public the figures for management bonuses, and additional payments, on top of their already huge salaries and emoluments, and how these are funded?
• In relation to the above we wish to see a full account of how student fees are spent across the University above the 50% going directly to courses.

 

2. Health & Wellbeing of University Staff and Local Community

Staff morale is allegedly at an all time low despite the fact that Robert Hillier, Director of Communications says that in their last staff survey 89% of staff said they felt proud to work at the University (http://www.thecanary.co/2016/11/25/renowned-artist-lifts-lid-life-british-university-makes-shocking-reading/ Staff at the University are members of our community and as such, we request the following information:

• The number of staff currently on zero-hours contracts, their roles and the departments they work in.
• The number of staff that have been required to re-apply for their jobs, or change roles during Prof. Anne Carlisle's tenure.
• The number of staff that were made redundant, suspended, or resigned during Prof. Anne Carlisle's tenure, and in the case of redundancies and suspensions the reasons why.
• The full cost of legal fees, redundancies and severances paid out by the University during Prof. Anne Carlisle's tenure.
• The reason for the University's failure to appoint a new head of HR for a period of at least 6 months.
• It has been alleged that staff are forced to sign non-disclosure agreements upon leaving employment, prohibiting them from going public, or even to the Board of Governors with their complaints. We request full information regarding these agreements, and where and when they have been put in place.

The local communities of Falmouth and Penryn are particularly concerned about housing in their towns as Chair of the Save Our Falmouth group, Kate Thomas stated:

“There has been such a rapid expansion over the last ten years. The locals have been evicted out and students are paying higher rents to stay in family homes.” (http://www.thecanary.co/2016/11/25/renowned-artist-lifts-lid-life-british-university-makes-shocking-reading/

• We would like to see a detailed report showing the viability studies and research made into the impact of University expansion and extended student accommodation on the towns of Falmouth and Penryn.
• We would like to see reports on the quality of housing for students, demonstrating that students have affordable, dry, warm and safe homes during their time at Falmouth University. 

 

3. Research and Excellence within the Arts

To maintain its position of excellence and to do justice to the cultural heritage of arts and crafts in Cornwall research must be central to the University’s future strategy, without distinction in research the accolade of Number 1 Arts University will soon be lost and mediocrity will prevail. There are concerns regarding the University’s research strategy without a director of research following the sudden departure of Professor Philip Moore in August with no replacement announced.

• How is the University planning on rectifying this situation?
• What preparations are being made for the next Research Excellence Framework in 2021?
• When will the Director of Research be replaced?
• What are the University's plans to develop and advance research within the School of Art?

 

The allegations of a toxic management culture that seriously damages the reputation of the University, Falmouth and Penryn, Cornwall, and the history and legacy of 114 years of leading creative education should be investigated publicly.

Let us have the answers to our questions made public now, in local and national media, and via the University’s website, for the benefit of all invested in the University's past and future. The University may contact us via this change.org petition.

* http://www.cornwalllive.com/artist-tim-shaw-pens-letter-to-falmouth-university/story-29924125-detail/story.html#comments