As members of UCU, the staff union at Birmingham City University (BCU), we dedicate our careers to nurturing the academic and personal success of our students. We find fulfilment in witnessing our students thrive, and we are proud to contribute to their journeys. This success is at risk due to proposed cuts and restructuring plans at BCU.

The Board of Governors must reconsider these measures that threaten to undermine the university’s Strategy 2030 initiative and its commitment to enhancing the student experience. Plans include substantial reductions in student support services, which are the backbone of student success. Specifically, there are proposed cuts to vital roles including:

• Learning and teaching librarians (the staff who support students in classes and tutorials)
• Academic skills and learner development support
• Graduate employment support
• Support for student retention (including extenuating circumstance, break in study and returns from interruptions)
• Course advisors

These cuts put 342 Professional Services and Academic staff at risk of redundancy, increasing the student-to-staff ratio and downgrading the resourcing of this, and diminishing the quality of personalised support that our students critically need. The University state that there is no financial need to make these cuts.

Research consistently shows that students achieve their best when supported by adequately resourced and committed staff. BCU was already close to the bottom third of student-to-teaching staff ratio for UK universities this year before losing many academic and professional services staff through severance. The proposed cuts risk further jeopardising our supportive environment, potentially impacting student satisfaction and academic outcomes. For BCU to be an anchor institution for student success, we urge the Board of Governors to rethink these proposals. The University must be an exemplar of quality education and quality employment. 

The university's future success and reputation depend on providing robust support systems that inspire and enable students to achieve their highest potential.

We call on the Board of Governors to prioritise the well-being and success of both students and staff at BCU:

• No redundancies: offer transferrable preferences and full training so no-one is at risk of losing their job
• Retain or improve the student-to-staff ratio
• No downgrading of posts
• Step back from cuts to the resourcing of student support

Join us in urging Birmingham City University's Board of Governors to halt these harmful cuts and preserve the essential student support services that are vital for achieving Strategy 2030. Sign this petition to stand up for the future of our students and staff.