Arts London News Reports

The wave of discontentment rises, while more and more students and teachers at LCC speak up against the senior managing teams.

Arts London News reports:

In the thick of LCC restructuring

by Lucy Doyle and Harriett Byczok

Students and staff have spoken out about the effects of the restructuring of the London College of Communication and the subsequent redundancies and course closures.

John Kitching, student rep for ABC Flower Design–one of the 16 courses from the former School of Creative Enterprise–claimed that the course is not seen as “trendy enough.”

Kitching described a meeting he had with Mike Bradshaw–dean of the Faculty of Design–where he asked him to explain the course closure: “He (Bradshaw) said:“Well when somebody leaves your course, what are they going to do–end up working in some florist?" which I think was a bit off, so I asked him not to compare it to a ‘McJob’, and not to patronise me with what I’ve chosen to do with my life.”

Meanwhile, Jane Hankin, course director of the Fashion Marketing access course–which will not be running after June 2010–said she felt “gutted” at the closure.

She said: “I have built up the course into one of the most popular FE (further education) courses in the college. Numbers applying have grown, year on year, and we are running with a cohort of 80 students, many of whom fall within the widening participation band.”

Hankin went on to accuse senior management of having a “lack of interest” in widening participation, but admitted that the closure doesn’t necessarily impact current students. Student rep Mica Whyte agreed, and said that her fellow students hadn’t experienced any problems or effects on the quality of teaching.

Kemp insists that the college is proud of its diverse student community, and she is absolutely committed to maintaining and developing diversity. “Widening participation in all courses remains a priority,” she said.

Principal lecturer Kulbir Basra from the former School of Creative Enterprise claims that some lecturers in the marketing area felt “forced to resign”. Basra–who faces redundancy in January, but has already been relieved of teaching duties – said staff have felt demoralised with what’s been going on.

Ronnie McGrath – who faces redundancy at the end of December and currently heads the creative writing part of combined honours course– said he failed to understand why his course is being cut: “We need creative writing in an arts college, and it’s an exciting course.”

In total, nine combined honours degree courses are in the process of being discontinued.
Kemp believes that
LCC has a great heritage, and the value of an LCC degree will continue to depend on the success of the college. “We believe that the changes we are making will enhance the college’s reputation and therefore the value of all courses studied here.”