An online petition calling on Salford VC Martin Hall to reconsider the university’s decision to “disestablish” the School of Humanities, Languages and Social Sciences is garnering widespread support.
From the petition:
Despite the continual stress that linguists enjoy greater employability, one of the country’s best established department of languages (University of Salford) is to close “to secure the future of the University” and ensure that the institution can “benefit students in areas that are in demand with employers.”
Although it seems there is a clash in what is now considered as a requisite from employers, “disestablishment” has been considered as the last resort and is reportedly due to “low levels in interest from applicants”. This could be due to a manner of reasons: tuition fee increase, culling of mandatory language learning at GSCE by Labour government, staff cutbacks in SOL to name a few.
As highlighted by Professor Myriam Salama-Carr in her statement to Vice Chancellor, Martin Hall, the School of Humanities, Languages and Social Sciences should be merited for its ongoing achievements and keeping in line with what was once the University’s core mission.
If you wish to lend your support to the petition, please follow the link.
