Managers at a university faced with a larger-than-expected budget deficit must explain how the situation arose, an MP said.
The University of East Anglia (UEA) in Norwich said it faces “a revised budget deficit of £30m for 2023-2024, rising to £45m in three years’ time”.
Norwich MP Clive Lewis said “comparable institutions” with the UEA “are not facing the same crisis”.
A UEA spokeswoman said the update provides “additional context and timelines.”
The Labor MP warned of “impact for all of us” in the region if the university cuts its offer.
“For business, for partners, for Norwich Research Park, which is an integral part of our local economy, I think this could have a significant ripple effect,” he said.
In January, the UEA said it was planning to lay off students due to “the impact of Covid, the tuition freeze, pressure on student numbers and rising costs.”
This prompted the UEA branch of the University and College Union to withdraw confidence from its senior executives.
In a staff email sent out on Wednesday, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Christine Bovis-Cnossen said applications from students had “gone back down” and an even bigger budget deficit was now being forecast.
- Union has no confidence in the leadership of the university
- The university is considering job cuts after losing £13.9million
- Dental school could be created at the university
The BBC understands that student applications have fallen in a number of subjects.
Mr Lewis said: “This just blows a hole in the idea that this was only caused by external problems – the energy crisis, Covid.
“It is very clear that there are now questions for management as to how they have dealt with this and why we are in a situation that we are in at UEA when other comparable institutions are not facing the same crisis.”
dr Michael Kyriacou, chair of the UEA branch of the University and College Union, said its members believe “mismanagement” was behind the drop in student numbers.
He feared the university was slipping into a “death spiral” and urged “management and staff to come together to find a workable solution.”
The UEA spokeswoman said “forced layoffs would be our last resort,” adding “this latest update provides additional context and timelines.”
“Detailed business plans and potential impacts for each area of the university are being worked through,” she said.
In the staff email, Prof. Bovis-Cnossen said, “I know this is a difficult time for our community and I want to thank you again for your hard work and patience during this difficult time.”
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