Liberal Arts under threat at Dumfries.

University course faces the axe

May 27 2011 by Craig Robertson, Dumfries Standard Friday
STUDENT protests are being planned to try and prevent a university course being axed in Dumfries.
Glasgow University said yesterday that a decision will be made on the future of the Liberal Arts course at their Crichton campus on June 22.
That’s when their ruling court body will meet to discuss a consultation report on the course which is a mixture of literacy, history and philosophy. It’s understood the recommendation will be to scrap the course.
Students believe a valuable asset is being removed.
And some even fear for the longer term future of the Dumfries campus, which was saved from closure four years ago after a Standard-backed campaign.
Ruari McNeill, a graduate of the course and someone who was a key part of the campaign to save the campus in 2007, said: “The loss of the lib arts course will greatly reduce the service provided to the south west of Scotland and will force young people to go to universities outside the region.
“It will also weaken the whole purpose of having the University of Glasgow at the Crichton and could in the long run lead to the withdrawal of the university.”
He added: “Four years ago when it was agreed that Glasgow would maintain and grow the campus at the Crichton there was no question of the core courses of liberal arts being under threat.
“I would argue that the University of Glasgow are going back on the understanding that was reached four years ago.”
Mr McNeill said moves were being made to get politicians on board with the campaign to stop the course being cut.
A spokesman for Glasgow University said: “Following exhaustive and extensive consultations with all stakeholders, the University Court will consider the recommendations in the report of the consultation panel at its meeting on June 22.”
If the course is cut, those who are currently studying on it would be allowed to finish but it would be closed to new entrants.