S
Please follow up on the e-mail below to ensure that this proposal is
quashed - I am sure that most of you will agree that it is a foolhardy
and ill-conceived idea and one that can do nothing but harm to our
educational institutions, individuals and society.
Sniper8052
Innovation, Universities and Skills Committee Inquiry
I am writing now to let you know that the Innovation, Universities and
Skills Committee has announced it is to conduct an inquiry into the
Government?s decision. The inquiry will focus on the arguments for and
against the Government?s decision, the timing of the decision and of
the implementation of the change; the exemptions from the withdrawal
of funding and the impact upon students and institutions.
The Committee has requested written evidence from interested
organisations and individuals, including from students studying for
ELQs, addressing these points by noon on Monday, 14 January 2008. The
University is already working on an institutional response. Guidelines
for the submission of evidence can be found at
http://www.parliament.uk/parliamentary_committees/ius/ius_061207.cfm.
I would urge you either as an individual to make a submission, or if
you are connected to particular sectors or representing particular
groups that have an interest in the outcome of this matter to
encourage partners and others to make a submission to the Committee.
Why do we need your support?
If you are a student studying for your first degree and you are paying
your fees yourself, you may ask why you should support a campaign for
government funding for those studying for a second degree or similar.
At the moment, each university in the UK receives a grant from
Government that covers over two thirds of the costs of teaching.
Tuition fees cover the rest. In addition, and separately, Government
provides financial help to students on low incomes who are studying
for their first degree, and to those with disabilities.
>From 2008/09, the Government will stop funding English universities to teach ELQ students, apart from a few exceptions. As is already the case, financial support will not be available for ELQ students on low incomes. This effectively means that graduates who wish to continue their professional development at undergraduate level will in future have to meet the full costs of the course themselves. Government has withdrawn its support.
The OU will cease to receive funding for ELQ students resident in
England and also (uniquely) in Northern Ireland. Government expects
us to make up this lost funding by asking students and, more
particularly, employers to contribute more. This will not be easy and
we are currently considering whether and how it can be done.
We continue to believe that the Government?s decision to withdraw
funding from ELQ students in England runs counter to their ambition to
promote lifelong learning. We believe that Government should be
prepared to make its contribution to the reskilling of the nation?s
workforce and the development of a high skills economy.
That is why we are fighting this decision. We are fortunate that we
have considerable public support and powerful allies amongst our staff
and students. We hope we can count on your continued and active
support.
Professor B M Gourley
Vice-Chancellor
20 December 2007
quashed - I am sure that most of you will agree that it is a foolhardy
and ill-conceived idea and one that can do nothing but harm to our
educational institutions, individuals and society.
Sniper8052
Innovation, Universities and Skills Committee Inquiry
I am writing now to let you know that the Innovation, Universities and
Skills Committee has announced it is to conduct an inquiry into the
Government?s decision. The inquiry will focus on the arguments for and
against the Government?s decision, the timing of the decision and of
the implementation of the change; the exemptions from the withdrawal
of funding and the impact upon students and institutions.
The Committee has requested written evidence from interested
organisations and individuals, including from students studying for
ELQs, addressing these points by noon on Monday, 14 January 2008. The
University is already working on an institutional response. Guidelines
for the submission of evidence can be found at
http://www.parliament.uk/parliamentary_committees/ius/ius_061207.cfm.
I would urge you either as an individual to make a submission, or if
you are connected to particular sectors or representing particular
groups that have an interest in the outcome of this matter to
encourage partners and others to make a submission to the Committee.
Why do we need your support?
If you are a student studying for your first degree and you are paying
your fees yourself, you may ask why you should support a campaign for
government funding for those studying for a second degree or similar.
At the moment, each university in the UK receives a grant from
Government that covers over two thirds of the costs of teaching.
Tuition fees cover the rest. In addition, and separately, Government
provides financial help to students on low incomes who are studying
for their first degree, and to those with disabilities.
>From 2008/09, the Government will stop funding English universities to teach ELQ students, apart from a few exceptions. As is already the case, financial support will not be available for ELQ students on low incomes. This effectively means that graduates who wish to continue their professional development at undergraduate level will in future have to meet the full costs of the course themselves. Government has withdrawn its support.
The OU will cease to receive funding for ELQ students resident in
England and also (uniquely) in Northern Ireland. Government expects
us to make up this lost funding by asking students and, more
particularly, employers to contribute more. This will not be easy and
we are currently considering whether and how it can be done.
We continue to believe that the Government?s decision to withdraw
funding from ELQ students in England runs counter to their ambition to
promote lifelong learning. We believe that Government should be
prepared to make its contribution to the reskilling of the nation?s
workforce and the development of a high skills economy.
That is why we are fighting this decision. We are fortunate that we
have considerable public support and powerful allies amongst our staff
and students. We hope we can count on your continued and active
support.
Professor B M Gourley
Vice-Chancellor
20 December 2007
