UCU: Defend the public university

Motion

Motion text: Conference notes the threat of closure to some HE institutions, the shift from education to training, the adoption of market approaches to the curriculum, the threat of privatisation and the abandoning of liberal educational values.

Conference notes that campaigns such as the Campaign for the Defence of the Public University have taken the initiative. Conference notes the successful national conference organised by the Education Committee of the NEC.

Conference asks HEC to publicly support these campaigns and to encourage and support Regional Committees to organise or support regional rallies or events linked with these in the autumn term.

Branches are urged to join student activists, local Student Unions and the Campaign for the Public University, to organise 'teach-in' days in Autumn and Spring, and approach VCs for appropriate teaching suspension.

HEC is instructed to:

1 coordinate with local groups and the Campaign to provide NEC speakers and anti-privatisation resources for a national programme of 'teach-ins'

2 consider how for-profit initiatives can be boycotted, and advise branches and regions.