As a mature student, studying in the Health and Life Sciences Faculty at De Montfort University in Leicester, I was shocked and dismayed to find out that jobs were at risk. As one of 25,000 students, most of whom have put themselves into substantial debt to be there, attempting to improve our lives, and who pay the salaries of the university teams, I don’t understand why we were not amongst the first to know.
We received an email at the start of the year telling us about a restructuring process, but no mention of redundancies. Having been through this process twice in my career, I know that a restructure often means job cuts. This communication was not clear for those who are new to such jargon.
Students support lecturers put at risk of redundancy
I’m pretty sensitive to energy and feelings even when no words are spoken, and I can tell you that in recent months, there has been an unspoken tension around the university. My lecturers have been superb, delivering the course to students as usual, but I could feel something wasn’t right. Then I saw the article in the Leicester Gazette, which explained it all.
When I approached them, it was heartbreaking. Each lecturer has their own unique knowledge and perspective and each has supported my learning, my wellbeing and my welfare over the last two years. I know of PhD students who have come to DMU specifically because of these people. They have come to learn from the best, but the executive board are culling our talent.
The Dubai issue: against DMU values
This is happening whilst simultaneously siphoning our fees into a campus in a country that goes against DMU values. How shameful. DMU Dubai is a new spin-off from DMU that until recently, many Leicester students knew nothing about. Posters around campus state DMU is the “best place for LGBTQ+ staff”, yet these same staff wouldn’t be afforded that luxury in Dubai where it’s illegal to be part of that community. This has rightly angered staff and students. We are yet to find out if any consultation was done with LGBTQ+ colleagues or students prior to the Dubai campus becoming a reality. As a side note (albeit an expensive one), DMU are currently in a dispute with Study World in Dubai in relation to this new campus.
As an advocate for those who need it, I will always step in when things aren’t right. This is absolutely one of those situations. Along with a core team, I am helping call out the concerns at DMU. There are many.
The inequalities of students at home
My main involvement started while I was in Geneva as part of the DMU Global opportunity through my degree. I was visiting the World Health Organization (WHO) to consider health inequalities. What I didn’t realise was that the inequalities I should have been focusing on were back in Leicester; students in DMU Dubai had sparkling new facilities whilst Leicester DMU cancelled plans to refurbish the library, doesn’t have enough high-tech design equipment and researchers have to pay for their own resources because ‘there is no budget’. All of these claims come from staff and students who wish to remain anonymous. Outrageous.
Messages came through to me in Geneva. The Students’ Union had issued a statement saying students were aware, their voice was heard and they were understanding of the need for redundancies. None of this was true. Through broken Wi-Fi, sat in the grounds of the WHO, I posted my response, clarifying that I had been told nothing by DMU.
Messages continued coming in from the UK. More was coming out of the woodwork: the Dubai debt claim, unnecessary campus openings outside of Leicester, crossovers and conflicts with the Students’ Union and the university Executive Board. I have never been so aghast in my life! My beautiful university, where I’ve become who I am today, tarnished in the sunny climes of Switzerland, all in the space of four days!
A student revolution begins the fight back
Skip forward a week and a small, perfectly formed revolution started happening. A few key students got together to produce what was to become an open letter to the university Executive Board and the Students’ Union.
In five days, 173 statements were obtained, blasting the redundancy proposals, outraged at the lack of communication and disgusted that our futures were being jeopardised by perceived management incompetence. Almost 90% of those students agreed to a vote of no confidence in the DMU Executive Board, the Students’ Union executive team and the Vice-Chancellor. We sent the open letter to them all.
We’ve received an invitation to meet with our Vice-Chancellor, and with the CEO of the Students’ Union, which I must acknowledge is the right move by both. However, at this point, I don’t feel it is a good option to attend. It seems that something negative is being called out daily; I do not believe I can yet go to a meeting with half-facts.
A plan of action
I’ve been taking some professional advice, and am currently collating all my evidence. Something just isn’t right; our students need to feel safe and able to trust those in authority here at DMU.
Our aim is to resolve these issues before the new intake of students start at DMU in September. However, to do that we need the Executive Board, the Vice-Chancellor and the Students’ Union to be open, transparent and accountable. We have also completed a protest outside their offices and plan to take more action in a week or so. We will not give up. DMU claim to be a place where they empower us. I believe how that happens is through the teaching staff, the ones they are taking away from us. How can this be acceptable?
Is the protest worth it?
On a more personal note, I’m exhausted. When I decided to come to university at the age of 43, it wasn’t done lightly. I’m a single mum of two boys, I work and have volunteer roles too. I do all of this to improve myself for my boys. It’s all exhausting, but it’s worth it. In each role I am clear about my intentions, I advocate for others, and speak up on different perspectives. I’m not sure the Executive Board at DMU are fulfilling similar responsibilities. Everything seems misguided at best, corrupt at worst. Collating the evidence is draining and disheartening.
For now, I will do my utmost for the students at DMU, I will stand by the staff and will call out anything that doesn’t seem right. Often people stand by observing things that are not right and fear prevents them from taking action. The action someone takes crosses the line of fear – I have now crossed that line. The people I am supporting are as determined as I am. We will not be silenced or have lies fed to us. The protest continues.
