UHI in shake-up to save £450k
The University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) is in the midst of a major management shake-up as it aims to increase student numbers.
Interim principal and vice-chancellor Vicki Nairn broke the news to staff yesterday, in an email seen by the Inverness Courier.
An executive office voluntary severance scheme is under way and is awaiting final approval by the Scottish Funding Council.
A restructure is set to save £450,000 per year.
Professor Gary Campbell, vice-principal for students, has
already confirmed his intention to retire at the end of the year and Dr Jen Vanderhoven, vice-principal of engagement, has quit her post.
The high-profile departures follow the exit of Professor Todd Walker who left in September after less than 18 months in post as principal, citing family and personal reasons.
It is unclear why Dr Vanderhoven has gone. She took up her role in January.
Meanwhile, Charlotte Wheatland has joined as new director of student recruitment and admissions and will be working on improving student numbers across campuses.
It comes as the latest forecast shows the number of students applying for the next academic year going down.
Ms Nairn, who started on October 26, told staff by email: “As you will be aware, our key priority is moving towards financial sustainability.
“Finance colleagues are currently reviewing the first quarter financial returns along with the emerging picture on higher education student recruitment.
“We will understand the full impact of this over the coming weeks.
“Early signs are that higher education student recruitment figures are lower than we previously forecasted.
“This means we will need to have a consolidated and focused effort to improve and build upon our position this year.
“Further education recruitment also remains challenging, especially regarding full-time students.”
UHI has an executive office voluntary redundancy scheme which has been deemed a priority and will be launched by the end of the year, subject to approval.
It will be open to all staff and more details are expected to be forthcoming in the next few weeks.
From this week, the senior executive team includes Ms Nairn, Professor Neil Simco (as deputy principal of academic and research), Lorna Walker (as vice-principal, and head of strategy, performance and culture) and Sheena Stewart (as university secretary).
Ms Nairn said her plan was to have a “smaller and more streamlined” senior executive team with “wider spans of leadership”.
In the meantime, talks are ongoing with the University and College Union about possible membership.
Ms Nairn, while welcoming Ms Wheatland to the team, reminded staff about the financial position.
She said: “I am sure you will join me in extending a warm welcome to Charlotte as she examines ways we can improve the student recruitment position.
“In the meantime, anything we can all do to collectively reduce costs, increase income, and, especially, drive increased student recruitment, is very welcome. I will provide a full budget update to colleagues at our scheduled staff briefing on December 6.”
She added: “Our collective sustainability through increased student recruitment, and a continued focus on an excellent experience for our students, remains very much at the forefront of my thinking. I am keen that our partnership continued to move towards a more sustainable, collaborative and inclusive approach.”
A UHI spokeswoman said: “Following the recent decision of two of our colleagues to leave UHI, we have taken the opportunity to review and refocus our senior executive team during a challenging financial climate. Our new senior executive team will provide outstanding leadership as we work with colleagues around the UHI partnership to continue to deliver an excellent student experience and meet the needs of our communities.”