Science Faculty

Last Thursday saw a very boring Science Faculty meeting. The main discussion centred around a report of the committee of Vice Chancellor and Deans which among other things, recommended that a high proportion of future staff appointments be three yearky rather than permanent.

All speakers were opposed to this section of the report though for avariety of reasons. It was generally acknowledged that one of the main reasons for the suggestion was to save money. One speaker thought that student enrolments should be be cut instead, while other speakers were concerned about the effects on research ... and teaching. One other speaker though that the proposed system should be extended to a system of probationary appointments for all new staff members. The student representatives were also opposed to the recommendation which would have led to staff cutbacks in some areas but were also concerned about the suggestion that cutbacks be made in other areas such as student enrolments instead.

The problem is that no-one wants their own area cutback and the result is that student areas such as the Library are the first to suffer.

This section of the report was referred back for new suggestions.