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Glasgow stops Crichton admissions | Glasgow stops Crichton admissions |
(about 3 hours later) | |
Glasgow University has confirmed it will stop undergraduate admissions to its Dumfries operation in September. | Glasgow University has confirmed it will stop undergraduate admissions to its Dumfries operation in September. |
The announcement came at the end of a university court meeting to discuss the future of the town's Crichton campus. | The announcement came at the end of a university court meeting to discuss the future of the town's Crichton campus. |
A short statement added that the university would hold talks over what future, if any, it had on the site. | A short statement added that the university would hold talks over what future, if any, it had on the site. |
The university has blamed a cash shortfall for the situation but the Scottish Funding Council insisted it gave sufficient financial support. | The university has blamed a cash shortfall for the situation but the Scottish Funding Council insisted it gave sufficient financial support. |
Students from Dumfries and Galloway had travelled to Glasgow to protest against the move. | Students from Dumfries and Galloway had travelled to Glasgow to protest against the move. |
The University of Glasgow court has taken a decision not to admit any undergraduate students to the Crichton campus in September this year University of Glasgow statement | The University of Glasgow court has taken a decision not to admit any undergraduate students to the Crichton campus in September this year University of Glasgow statement |
Dumfries Labour MSP Elaine Murray had called on the university to delay a decision until after a parliamentary debate on Thursday. | Dumfries Labour MSP Elaine Murray had called on the university to delay a decision until after a parliamentary debate on Thursday. |
However, a statement confirmed the institution would reduce its Crichton commitment. | However, a statement confirmed the institution would reduce its Crichton commitment. |
"The University of Glasgow court has taken a decision not to admit any undergraduate students to the Crichton campus in September this year," it said. | "The University of Glasgow court has taken a decision not to admit any undergraduate students to the Crichton campus in September this year," it said. |
"The court will consider, in due course, and in the light of further discussions with the SFC and partners, future options for any Glasgow presence at Crichton." | "The court will consider, in due course, and in the light of further discussions with the SFC and partners, future options for any Glasgow presence at Crichton." |
Remaining studies | Remaining studies |
The university said the interests of current students would be protected throughout their remaining studies. | The university said the interests of current students would be protected throughout their remaining studies. |
"The university has been in touch with applicants for 2007 entry to inform them of this decision and to advise them on their options," the statement concluded. | "The university has been in touch with applicants for 2007 entry to inform them of this decision and to advise them on their options," the statement concluded. |
The Crichton campus is also home to students from the University of Paisley, Bell College and Dumfries and Galloway College. | |
The Scottish Funding Council said that it would maintain the level of its current investment at Crichton. | |
In addition, it said it had already committed more than £28m to the Crichton Campus for the re-location of Dumfries and Galloway College to the site. | |
SFC Chief Executive Roger McClure insisted that Crichton Campus has a strong future: "It is a great pity that the plans of one of the partners are being used to obscure the very positive future for Crichton. | |
"We are all agreed that the campus has a vital role to play in helping to sustain and grow the regional economy, in developing skill levels for all post-school age groups." | |
Earlier in the day, students had gathered in Glasgow to protest against the plans. | Earlier in the day, students had gathered in Glasgow to protest against the plans. |
It is simply wrong to say that any move by Glasgow University is going to jeopardise the Crichton project Scottish Executive statement | It is simply wrong to say that any move by Glasgow University is going to jeopardise the Crichton project Scottish Executive statement |
Mary Hollern, 47, who travelled from her home in Annan said the closure would have a "devastating effect". | Mary Hollern, 47, who travelled from her home in Annan said the closure would have a "devastating effect". |
"I wouldn't have studied in Dumfries if it wasn't for Glasgow University and there are lots of other people like me," she said. | "I wouldn't have studied in Dumfries if it wasn't for Glasgow University and there are lots of other people like me," she said. |
A Scottish Executive spokesman insisted Glasgow's decision did not compromise the Crichton. | A Scottish Executive spokesman insisted Glasgow's decision did not compromise the Crichton. |
"It is simply wrong to say that any move by Glasgow University is going to jeopardise the Crichton project," he said. | "It is simply wrong to say that any move by Glasgow University is going to jeopardise the Crichton project," he said. |
He said the SFC was developing a strategy to support a secure future for the campus involving a range of initiatives. | He said the SFC was developing a strategy to support a secure future for the campus involving a range of initiatives. |
However, Tory MP David Mundell said the decision was bad news for Dumfries and Galloway. | However, Tory MP David Mundell said the decision was bad news for Dumfries and Galloway. |
"It doesn't matter what other 'solution' the SFC come up with, there is no gloss that can be put on this - it is a backward step for the campus and the region," he said. | "It doesn't matter what other 'solution' the SFC come up with, there is no gloss that can be put on this - it is a backward step for the campus and the region," he said. |
'Important contribution' | 'Important contribution' |
South of Scotland SNP MSP Alasdair Morgan said the decision gave more focus to the debate in the Scottish Parliament on Thursday. | South of Scotland SNP MSP Alasdair Morgan said the decision gave more focus to the debate in the Scottish Parliament on Thursday. |
He insisted that although it was a setback it was "not the end of the road for this enterprise". | He insisted that although it was a setback it was "not the end of the road for this enterprise". |
The move has also been condemned by the Scottish Trades Union Congress. | The move has also been condemned by the Scottish Trades Union Congress. |
"The Crichton campus makes a very important contribution to the economy of the south west of Scotland," said General Secretary Grahame Smith. | "The Crichton campus makes a very important contribution to the economy of the south west of Scotland," said General Secretary Grahame Smith. |