UCU Left - Stop the privatisation of university language centres

The UCU Left is a national organisation of University and College Union activists. It is committed to ensuring that the new union has a democratic structure through which members can determine policy, and elected officers and professional officials can be held accountable. It seeks to defend educational equality, and to oppose the consequences of neo-liberal marketisation. It is opposed to all forms of racism, sexism, oppression and imperialism.

Stop the Privatisation of University Language Centres

29/03/07 - Oxford Brooks say No to INTO privatisation. (read here)

23/02/07 - Language Centre privatisation breaches equality requirements. (read here)

INTO (or any other private company) needs to be stoped from taking over university language centres

By Sue Birch (UCU NEC Member)

UCU is to launch a national campaign against the privatisation of university language departments and branches should be receiving information on this shortly. I hope it isn't too late for those at Newcastle University and at Oxford Brookes who both currently face such takeover threats. I feel ashamed that our union leadership has ignored this threat until now. However now is the time to galvanise ourselves and see some real action and campaigning.

Everyone could be affected, so everyone needs to be involved, and realise the insidious way that INTO (the main company involved in these provision transfers) is working through our universities. Other departments/faculties could easily be affected from similar privatisation attempts. After all, we've made it so easy for INTO up to this point. In addition, our universities rely so heavily on international students that if these students are not prepared effectively in their English Language departments to withstand the rigours of HE undergraduate and postgrad courses, it will have a knock on effect throughout departments.

It could also create a schism between those 'INTO member' universities who guarantee places after an INTO diploma, and the rest who retain their own quality assurance. Moreover, since international students are extremely savvy, if they feel they're not getting the right and proper preparation or support, they will stop coming to Britain. Australia is fast becoming the country of choice.

If our universities lose their international students, what will that do to home students' fees in the future – already suggested by some that they should go up to £10,000 per annum?

There has been nothing yet to suggest that INTO's involvement in universities is for anything other than profit and gain. After all, they are a very slick and very well-financed organisation, and it's no wonder some VCs et al have just seemingly rolled over and been seduced by the offer of mega bucks... I believe Exeter University was approached in April 2006; the deal was signed in June/July 2006 and INTO moved in in December 2006. I can only assume with that short timescale there was no proper consultation with staff or the union?

It would appear that universities are not consulting with staff until negotiations are well under way. Furthermore, staff at Newcastle have been told that if they resist, they'll lose their jobs! How can we sit by and let this happen? Any campaign is going to have to target all universities via UCEA as well as the government to prevent this kind of privatisation and bad practice. This is formally UCU policy!

In those universities where INTO has already taken over or is negotiating will they retain control if this is a bona fide arrangement, or is it simply a business take-over where jobs are lost, no redeployment or redundancy is offered, and the company introduces its own practices and culture?

It is often the case that English Language Depts. are staffed mainly by women so this is also a gender issue. And a part-time/hourly-paid one. Everyone needs to support a national campaign since there are at least 13 other University English Language centres being targeted.

Many staff at Newcastle have felt they've had no choice but to leave and those who remain fear they will be transferred to INTO shortly. This situation cannot be allowed to fester any longer. We must act in a coordinated and national way if we want to be successful and resist these attacks. Now is the time to stand up and defend public education provision, our students, and our colleagues.

Newcastle University UCU - Dispute Declared (31/01/2007)

Newcastle University UCU - Press Release (21/12/2006)