Students show solidarity with striking staff

Students at the University of Nottingham have expressed "anger and betrayal" at senior management after the announcement of widespread staffing cuts, while also showing support for lecturers taking industrial action.

Hundreds of students and staff formed a picket line on campus in solidarity, following confirmation that about 2,700 roles are at risk of redundancy.

The University and College Union (UCU) said the industrial action could "effectively prevent the university from awarding graduation certificates" while students have also criticised the timing of the announcement, saying it comes at a crucial period in the academic year.

However the university said no final decisions had been made.

Jesse Asamoah, a final-year Cancer Studies student currently sitting exams, said the disruption could have serious consequences.

"It would be catastrophic for students like me if faculty aren't there to mark our assessments. That's three years of hard work," he said.

He added that uncertainty over staffing levels was creating anxiety about graduation.

"The main issue is that we don't know how many staff will remain, so we're unsure whether our graduation will look the same as in previous years," he said.

"We might still graduate, but we don't know if we'll be able to properly say goodbye to the lecturers who have supported us."

Mr Asamoah also criticised the "poor communication" from university leadership.

"There's been no clear explanation," he said. "Communication has been blurred, and it doesn't provide clarity, it just fuels frustration."

He said many students continued to support lecturers despite the disruption.

"I don't blame the lecturers. Even through these struggles, they've continued to support us and reach out to help."

He added that some students had relied more heavily on online and AI tools to fill the void for cancelled teaching during periods of strike action.

Students have instead directed criticism towards senior management, questioning the scale and timing of the proposed cuts.

"There needs to be proper communication with students, and staff who have served the university for years should not be treated this way," he said.

Fourth-year physics student Ella Dibden said she was confident students' work would eventually be assessed, but believes the uncertainty facing staff is more serious.

"It's not easy to get another job," she said. "One of our lecturers told us the only similar role available to him would be in China, and he doesn't want to move his entire family across the world."

She added that the situation reflected wider pressures in higher education.

"This feels like the direction higher education is heading, and we're trying to push back to keep this university the way we want it to be," she said.

While acknowledging the disruption to students, the 22-year old said staff faced greater long-term disruption and uncertainty.

"We know our work will likely be marked eventually, but there is still uncertainty that our theses might not be marked and graduation might not go ahead as planned.

"But the impact on lecturers and university staff is much bigger than what we as students will face in the long-run."

Second-year physics student Jamie Carey, who also joined the picket line, said he felt let down by the announcement.

"I feel betrayed. I was told I would have certain modules and certain professors, and now I don't even know if the modules I've chosen for next year will run," he said.

The 20-year-old also criticised what he described as an avoidable situation.

"There's been so much uncertainty that didn't need to happen," he said.

"They chose to create this situation instead of making difficult decisions that might affect them directly. It feels like they've chosen to shield themselves instead."

A university spokesperson said: "While we respect our employees' right to take industrial action, the fact this is being done to create maximum disruption for our students at an already stressful time is really disappointing.

"While many of our students will be unaffected by this action, we understand this will cause concern and want to reassure them we have clear procedures and support in place to minimise any disruption.

"The proposals outlined in the draft business case are subject to meaningful consultation with the unions. Nothing will be finalised or implemented until a final Business Case is approved by Council in the autumn."

Listen to BBC Radio Nottingham on Sounds and follow BBC Nottingham on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@bbc.co.uk or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2210.