University of Northampton offers voluntary severance to 500 staff

A University is offering a voluntary severance scheme to 500 staff to help it cope with a predicted £19.3m deficit.

The University of Northampton (UON) said a drop in international student numbers was partly to blame.

The institution said other factors were also involved, including rising pension costs and repayments on a new campus.

The University added that the scheme was being offered “with regret”.

A UON spokesperson said: “It is with regret that the University of Northampton has launched this voluntary severance scheme for employees, and while the University has no wish to part ways with valued colleagues, the current financial environment has made this necessary.

“It will only involve those who choose to leave the University voluntarily, and where there is mutual agreement.”

The University added that it would ensure “minimum disruption to teaching and life on campus for students” and would support staff “through to completion of the scheme and beyond”.

Sonya Andermahr, the branch secretary of the University and College Union (UCU), said: “UCU’s view is that we broadly welcome the scheme as an alternative to compulsory redundancies.

“However, we feel that the terms of the scheme mean that it probably won’t have the desired effect of inducing enough staff to leave to make an appreciable difference to the university’s finances. We are seeking to improve the terms at a meeting with the university leadership team next week.”

She added that the union had set up a team of faculty-based representatives to support colleagues.