Jobs under threat
Future of Biomedical Sciences Division left in the balance
The Division of Biomedical Sciences (BMS) is facing potential closure this week, with expected job cuts and staff relocation of teaching and support workers at the Sir Alexander Fleming Building (SAF).
Representatives from College and members of the Association of University Teachers (AUT) will be discussing the future of the BMS division on Thursday 1 June at the Academic Joint Staff Committee meeting.
The Faculty of Natural Sciences announced the instigation of a thorough review into the division in April, aiming to develop a long-term plan to continue Imperial's medical science teaching.
Closure of the division was believed to have a direct impact upon first and second year medical students, who rely on such teaching to complement the early stages of their medical training.
A worried BMS research associate working at the SAF told Felix: "More people here are worried about their jobs than who's going to teach the medical students. The morale is plummeting.
"We used to be part of the Imperial College School of Medicine (ICSM) but were moved into the Faculty of Life Sciences. There was a £1.7 million deficit and the ICSM would not pay for teaching; who are they intending to get to do it in the future?"
Sir Peter Knight, Faculty Principal, previously told staff that the financial state of the BMS division was unsustainable and their position was untenable. Deficits of over £507,000 were recorded for the financial year 2005/2006 and projections for 2006/2007 show a deficit of over £1.4 million on a turnover of £1.6 million.
Felix took these points to a College spokesman, who responded: "The College's duty is to strengthen and improve its teaching in biomedical sciences and medicine and to undertake research at the highest level.
"There are no proposals to change our medical undergraduate courses and we are looking forward to introducing our new Biomedical Science course and subsequently graduate entry medical course. Discussions are continuing and the College will be communicating with staff again shortly."
He added: "It is important to note that...student teaching and facilities will not be affected."
Felix spoke to Emma Smith, a second year medical student, who said: "I'm really surprised that the Biomedical Science Division is being shut down in such a fashion. By all accounts, the communication between senior College figures and the research associates is unsatisfactory to say the least. I hope this is resolved satisfactory."
Chris Miles, News Editor
Felix's View:
Felix and, more importantly, the staff concerned remain totally unware what the future holds for Biomedical Sciences at Imperial.
When we asked College to provide us with full details of the planned closures and job cuts, we were only told that College "are protecting the teaching...students and facilities will not be affected". There was no mention as to the job security of those employed in the BMS division. Felix is the students' newspaper, but it is read by most staff members at Imperial.
We understand the staff will be informed of the decision today. Felix hopes that College has the sense to treat its employees with the respect they deserve.
