The decision to close the courses will rob the labour and trade union movement of a very valuable asset. Over the last 12 years the Centre for Trade Union Studies has built an excellent reputation for the quality of its educational and research provision. The two Higher Education courses (Labour and Trade Union Studies and European Labour Studies) are linked to the full time BA Politics with Labour Studies and provide a unique educational opportunity for trade unionists. There are no other courses of this type in London and the South East. The European Labour Studies course is unique to the whole country and is the only available opportunity for British trade unionists to learn about trade unions in the rest of Europe.
The course portfolio has been developed with the active support and assistance of many trade unions at regional and national level. The high quality of the work produced by students on these courses has been frequently acknowledged by external examiners and trade union education officers.
Neither can the closures be justified on financial grounds. Student numbers on the courses have never fallen below the minimums prescribed by the University and the courses bring in a considerable income to the South Bank which easily pays for the expenses of running them.
Please protest by writing to the Deputy Vice Chancellor demanding to know why he is closing these courses. Write to:
Trevor Watkins
Deputy Vice Chancellor
South Bank University
103 Borough Road
London SE1 0AA
England
For further details concerning the closures and to notify of support, contact:
Richard Ross
Senior Lecturer
Trade Union Studies
South Bank University
Phone: +44 (0)171-815 5770
Fax: +44 (0)171-815 5799