14 August 2009

In the light of the number of strategic issues facing the University presently, I am taking the opportunity of advising you now of some key areas of responsibility for senior colleagues during the coming Academic Year.

At its meeting on 8th July, the University Council confirmed the recommendation that we move to create a School of Life Sciences within the Faculty of Science, integrating the department of Biological Sciences and Warwick HRI. Professor Yvonne Carter has retired as Dean of Warwick Medical School and Professor Howard Thomas has tendered his resignation to become Professor and Dean of the Lee Kong Chian School of Business at Singapore Management University. This provides us with a series of academic challenges which, in the short-term, will be addressed as follows: More…

26 June 2009

In this my last letter to staff for this Academic year I would like to focus on what has been a year of change.

In my most recent letters to staff, I have written about the immediate financial challenges facing us. Departments are at various stages in developing their plans to implement the planned 5% cost savings and I will be able to update you on the progress of that process in the new academic year.

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13 May 2009

Last month, I began to write what I intend to be a series of regular communications explaining the impact on our University of the global economic crisis and setting out the measures we are putting in place to strengthen the University’s financial position.

First, let me restate our current position. Increased costs of staffing, pensions and utilities since the summer combined with a sharp decline in our commercial activities are putting a significant pressure on the University’s finances. However, I’m pleased to say that the cost savings and efficiency measures outlined in my last letter continue to prevent the deficit anticipated during the current academic year rising above £3 million. As we approach the year end it is obviously critical that we all continue to show restraint and that we avoid all non-essential spending.

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