UCU: Foundation Year motion

Motion

Motion text: Congress notes that:
1. foundation years and Access to HE courses, delivered in higher and further
education settings, are necessary pathways for students traditionally
excluded from HE.
2. fees are a poor funding mechanism, however reducing fees for particular
subject areas cannot fail but to lower their perception.
3. this move will impact the capacity for students to access HE and impact staff
recruitment and retention. Specifically reducing Category D course fees at
Foundation Year level further weakens the position of Arts and Humanities
and Social Sciences subjects at FE and HE level
Congress instructs the NEC to:
a. campaign in recognition of the value of these courses.
b. resist course closures, outsourcing, and job losses that may be precipitated
by fees cuts.
c. campaign for a funding model not reliant on student debt to make these
courses solvent.
d. include these campaigns within wider campaigns such as the campaign to
save our Arts and Humanities.