Latest News
SEARCH LIVERPOOLSU.COM
LIVERPOOLSU POLL
Newsletter
Find us on Facebook
RT @lophiee: @Looprevil_Press it's literally nice tasting steam! Quite relaxing ☺ and has no dangers associated with smoking so its nice ... (lophiee)
ATTENTION ALL @LJMU STUDENTS: What do you want from your @LiverpoolSU Sabbatical Officers? What do you want to know? Please RT and reply! (Looprevil_Press)
Tom Aldus ( @LSU_VPA ) telling students about the amazing work he has been doing this year! http://t.co/FBBzeKXL (LSU_VPAQ)
Smoked shisha before? Tweet us your experiences and thoughts to help us with an upcoming article! Please RT! (Looprevil_Press)
Miss Piggy for MAC http://t.co/Q2A7pBs9 (Looprevil_Press)
► MAS Cuts and Suspensions
The Faculty of Media, Arts and Social Science announed that it would be closing the BA Geography, the BA Politics and the BA History and Politics from September 2010. The Faculty also announced that it was suspending entry to the BA Fine Art, the BA Product Design and the BA Fashion/Fashion Communications in September 2011: this means that the course isn't closing, but there won't be any Level One students in the next academic year. Students sent in questions by email, which form the FAQ below. Lily Rumsey, LSU President has chaired a number of meetings between students and the Faculty. You can find notes here of the meetings with Geography students and the Politics/History and Politics students. You can find notes here of meetings with Fine Art, Product Design and Fashion students. Frequently Asked Questions1. Why did you make these announcements when all the students had left if you knew cuts were coming?
There is no ideal time to make such a decision. We had to take this decision in the light of the budget cuts which were made on the Faculty in May as a result of government funding cuts imposed on universities for next year, and because a number of staff in both programmes have taken retirement through the university’s voluntary severance scheme which was launched only after Easter with final decisions made by late May; we cannot afford to replace these staff. We informed students as quickly as possible following this.
2. Why cut the BA Politics, BA History and Politics and the BA Geography?
These programmes have struggled to meet their recruitment targets for a number of years, even though they have been reduced year-on-year. They have been cross-subsidised by other courses in the faculty which recruit much higher numbers, but with the impact of the government funding cuts this can no longer continue as it would put other programmes at risk too. The closure of the courses is not a reflection of their intellectual value or academic quality and our commitment to these areas is reflected in the Faculty’s decision to continue offering modules in Politics and Geography as part of other degree programmes and through the delivery of BSc (Hons) Geography in the Faculty of Science.
3. How will you make sure the courses stay high quality until current students end?
Ensuring that returning students continue to enjoy a high quality programme of study is our highest priority and has been the focus of much work since the decision was taken to close the three programmes (BA (Hons) Politics, BA (Hons) Geography, and BA (Hons) History and Politics).
Core teams of experienced staff remain for both Politics and Geography and these academics will continue to deliver academic and pastoral support for students returning to complete their degrees. These members of staff will relocate to other areas within the School of Humanities and Social Science following the graduation of the final cohort students in 2012.
We can confirm that module options for returning students and fieldtrips are unaffected by the closures and the School of Social Science is writing to all students to give details of the module choices etc. on offer for next year. There will be provision for the full range of dissertation topics and projects.
4. Does this mean that no one will be able to study politics or geography at LJMU anymore?
Future students will not be able to take full single honours BA programmes in Geography or Politics. However in the School of Humanities and Social Science, Politics and Geography modules will be offered within the Criminology, History and Sociology programmes as the remaining staff will be moving eventually to these areas with their expertise which is highly relevant.
5. What does this mean for students who have already been accepted on these programmes?
Students have been written to within the UCAS deadlines and been informed that there will be no intake for the coming year. They will be given support if needed to find alternative programmes and also offered places on LJMU’s BSc Geography course which will continue to run.
6. What do I do if I want to ask more questions?
This can be done through the Liverpool Students Union website, or you can attend the open meeting at LSU on the afternoon of 30th June at 2.30 pm.
7. How many students are affected by these cuts? And how many will you be able to find a solution for?
We will ensure that none of our existing students in Geography and/or Politics are adversely affected by the programme closures. As for those intending students who were holding offers for places for 2010, we have made every effort to offer alternative courses within the School and /or the University.
8. What will you do if any more staff leave before the end of the two years, and how will you make sure that the quality is still high?
If more staff were to leave, then we will have the funding to bring in staff with the appropriate expertise for the period of time to ensure that the programmes are successfully run through. The university will guarantee this.
9. If I wanted to seek advice about transferring, what are my options?
Any student who wishes to seek advice about transferring to another degree programme be that internal to LJMU or at another institution should first consult with their personal tutor or programme leader. Liverpool Students' Union offers free, confidential and independent advice on this issue and students can find out more by emailing lsuadvice@ljmu.ac.uk or by phoning 0151 231 4900.
10. What happens if I have to repeat a year? Will I be able to finish my degree?
Any student who fails to meet the standard requirements for progression, will be given appropriate consideration by the Programme Assessment Boards. Wherever possible, we will make all reasonable efforts to assist those students to progress while still maintaining academic standards. However where students fail to progress and complete the programme within a reasonable timescale, then we cannot guarantee that in these exceptional cases they will achieve their target award.
11. Are there more cuts to come in Media, Arts and Social Science?
The faculty along with the university is reviewing all of its course provision over the next twelve months; we cannot give a guarantee that there will not be more closures over the next few years as the impact of government cuts may mean that we have no alternative. At the moment one other very small course is under review though any changes to provision will only come into force from 2011.
12. What are the next steps?
Students will be written to shortly by the School of Social Science; there will be an open meeting on 30th June; staff will be available to respond to any questions either directly or via the LSU website.
    |