STUDENTS at the University of Portsmouth stood against staff cuts and continued partnerships with IDF-affiliated weapons companies outside University House last week.

The announcement of an “academic reset” could see a merger of four faculties and the loss of 445 staff members. This is in spite of the fact that, according to the University and College Union, the University of Portsmouth has almost £329 million at its disposal. 

“I believe it’s all being done on a kind of matrix, so we will get points […] and the people with the lowest points are going to be made redundant,” said a staff member at risk of redundancy.

“I don’t know what I’m going to do next year, I don’t know where I’m going to be, I don’t know if I’ve got a job. 

“Other universities are being faced with the same thing, so it makes it much harder to get jobs in other places.” 

These cuts have been driven by vice-chancellor Graham Galbraith, who received a pay rise of nearly £15,000 between 2021-22 and 2022-23. His salary currently stands at £312,000 with benefits and pension costs.

Criticisms have been shared over the pay increase among cuts to faculties and services such as the “MyPort Hubs.” 

Protesters prepare to hand out leaflets

“It can not be right that the university is putting staff at risk of redundancy while spending on ‘key management personnel’ has risen by over £100,000 and it is set to spend millions on new buildings,” said University and College Union regional official Moray McAulay.

Speaking to The News Portsmouth, Galbraith addressed the situation, stating: “We too are impacted by the national issues of declining income in real terms as a result of the freeze on student fees, challenges in student recruitment particularly in relation to international markets and increasing costs as a result of inflation.

“We have not made these proposals lightly. Redundancies are extremely difficult for all those involved and we are working hard to limit the number as much as possible through natural attrition and voluntary redundancy. The university will also merge and realign a number of areas to reduce the duplication of administration. There are no plans to close courses but to resize resources to match demand and create room for growth.”

Protest leaflets produced by student protesters

However, the cuts are not going unchallenged. Students were seen handing out satirical “WANTED” posters, alongside information sheets detailing the plethora of issues facing members of the university. 

Speaking to protester Matthew Johnson, an engineering and technology student, he explained that the cuts were “a complete slap in the face to every member of staff and every student studying at this university.

“It’s destroying the possibilities of students who are seeing their courses, and the future of their courses, being stripped away by their very own eyes.

“It is completely undeserved, and it will not go without a fight.” 

This issue does not stand in isolation. The University of Portsmouth has come under intense student scrutiny in recent months over its connections to arms company BAE Systems.

BAE Systems is a key supplier of weaponry to the Israeli Air Force. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, BAE Systems ranks as the world’s sixth-largest arms manufacturer, bringing in £2.33 billion in pre-tax revenue. 

An FOI request submitted by Demilitarise Education found that the university has accepted £343,970.99 from defence companies over the past five years, of which BAE systems provided nearly £245,000. Despite pressure from students and staff, the University of Portsmouth maintains 22 direct links with arms companies.

In response to a student petition calling for a statement of solidarity with Palestine, Galbraith released a statement saying: “The University condemns violence and loss of life on all sides in Gaza and Israel, which is a tragedy. We are today [March 18] adding our voice to international humanitarian calls for an immediate ceasefire and negotiations towards a lasting peace in the region.”

The university was unavailable for comment regarding ties to BAE Systems.

Speaking with protester Jeetaditya Chatterjee, a third-year computer science student, he explained that “calling for a ceasefire isn’t a small thing, but that is not something that can be done entirely with words.”

“It lacks substance and it requires actual action. We want divestment, we want accountability and we want transparency.”  

Student protests are expected to continue on a weekly basis. You can find more information at @antiarmsmovement on Instagram.