Last week, we asked you to share your thoughts on the University's announcement regarding proposed staffing changes. If you missed the announcement, we’ve included a summary of what we know and support if you need it at the end of this message. Since then, some of you have shared with us concerns and frustrations, questions and opinions.

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We have read your responses. We see your anger. We share your frustrations. And most of all, we see the significant concern and uncertainty being felt across our community - especially among our humanities and postgraduate research students- who are worried about what this means for their modules, supervisors and their futures.

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Let’s be completely honest: you have every right to be angry.

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You chose Exeter because of the incredible staff, the diverse module choices, and the promise of a supportive academic environment. This announcement feels personal because it affects the people, subjects and academic communities that many of you came to Exeter for in the first place. To know that these things are at risk of changing is devastating.

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We recognise the important role that staff and the wider university community play in students' learning experiences. We share our solidarity with all those impacted across our University community.

The uncertainty and concern students are experiencing here at Exeter is real, however it is not an isolated case. It is the inevitable result of a fundamentally broken higher education funding model in the UK. Across the country, many universities are being forced into these exact same agonising decisions because the Government has systematically underfunded higher education for years.

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Our University is caught in a national crisis. While we understand the harsh reality that the University must remain financially sustainable to exist for future students, we are profoundly angry and fed up that the UK higher education system has been allowed to reach this breaking point.

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We are not going to sit back quietly.

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Here is what your Students' Guild is doing right now:

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Amplifying Your Concerns

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You’ve told us exactly what is causing you the most anxiety and frustration. We are raising your feedback directly with the University and pressing for clarity on the issues you raised:
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• The Communication Gap: the University’s initial comms weren’t good enough, creating a vacuum of information that has fuelled speculation, anxiety and a feeling that humanities and interdisciplinary learning are being devalued. We have been urging the University to fill this gap by providing clearer context about these proposals and the steps that have led to them, particularly for HASS students.
• Academic Impact: you shared urgent worries about losing module choices, losing dissertation support, and the lack of clarity for PGR students on supervision and research continuity. We are urging the University to address these specific concerns and provide immediate reassurances to students.
• Valuing Our Staff: you made it clear how deeply you value your lecturers, tutors and academic communities. We are ensuring the University hears the immense strength of feeling behind this and the impact these proposals have on your community.

Protecting the Student Experience and Your Education

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Your education cannot be an afterthought. We are actively lobbying the University to fully consider the impact on students as decisions are made throughout the consultation. We also commit to supporting you every step of the way through this uncertain period. We are already taking your concerns directly into the conversations and decision-making spaces that shape this process. Throughout the consultation, we will continue to champion your interests and hold the University to account for protecting your education, academic support and student experience.
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We also recognise that many students strongly oppose the proposed reductions and are taking direct steps to have your voices heard. We encourage students to continue to actively engage on what matters most to you, whether through petitions, social media or direct conversations in your departments.

Driving Collective Student & Political Action

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Here at Exeter, your concerns, experiences and frustrations are already shaping the conversations taking place in the University's highest decision-making meetings. But we also need to turn our collective frustration into a powerful, unified voice to demand a better deal for higher education students in the UK.

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We know we cannot fix a broken national system alone. That is why we are working with sector partners including other Students’ Unions and elected representatives to highlight the impact that funding pressures are having on students across the country.

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Keep telling us how you're thinking and feeling so that we can fight to protect your academic experience. Your feedback is already shaping the conversations we are having with the University and will continue to guide our work throughout this process. Please continue sharing your experiences and concerns with us here: https://go.exeterguild.com/tell-us
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We have your backs. Let's protect our education, together.

In solidarity,
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Your Students' Guild Officer Team
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More Information

What we know

Whilst we won’t know what the full implications of the proposals will be until the consultation process concludes, there are some things we do know at this time:
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• The University has begun consulting academic staff and their trade unions. The proposals include reducing the number of academic staff roles in some parts of the faculties.

• The University is not proposing closing any departments.

• The University has committed that your taught course or research programme will continue through to your completion.

• The process of consultation will continue throughout the summer.

• You will know if any optional modules on your course are impacted from September via your Hubs; core modules are protected.

You can read more information including FAQs on the University website.

We encourage students to continue to actively engage on what matters most to you, whether through petitions, social media or direct conversations in your departments.

Further information and support

The University have also shared an email address that you can contact with your questions:  studentquestions@exeter.ac.uk. We know this announcement will affect all students in different ways. If you need someone to talk to, you are not alone, you can access the University’s Wellbeing Services if you need any wellbeing support.

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Our Advice team are completely independent from the University, so we are able to provide you with impartial advice and support on academic matters. Once there is more information on how changes might impact you as a student, you may wish to speak to one of our Advisors who can help you navigate your issue or concern.

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You can find all the latest information on our dedicated webpage.
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