Rumours of a merger stalk Bolton University

Bolton University could hardly be seen this week as thick snow covered the campus buildings. But management are planning an avalanche of cuts over coming months, which could see parts of the university disappear forever.

REVOLUTION spoke to an Internet Connections and Networks student who told us “I tried to ask the Student Union what was happening about the cuts and they denied everything. But I did hear rumours that Bolton, Salford and Central Lancashire universities are planning to merge.”

UCU, the teachers union, say that Bolton University management are seeking to make 10% cut in staffing costs over the next semester.The cuts will be damaging to both students and staff. Staff will be fired, causing a decrease in the quality of teaching. Students will be forced into bigger classes and there'll be less feedback time for students to ask questions at the end of class. The standard of education that students will receive will drop dramatically - all because the university executives want to save money.

But it is the possibility of a merger which is most worrying of all. The Russell Group, who represent the 20 most prestigious universities in the UK, have warned that some 30 universities could close altogether, with even minor cutbacks threatening their survival. With Bolton university having suffered financial difficulties for the last few years, this could be a risk.

That the student union at Bolton University won't reveal the scale of the cuts to the students they are meant to represent is an outrage. Students need to demand the union and management open their private accounts books and tell us the truth.