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Campus strategy publication due Campus reopens to undergraduates
(1 day later)
A strategy is expected to be published on the future of the Crichton University campus in Dumfries. Education Secretary Fiona Hyslop has announced a £1.5m package to allow Glasgow University to reopen admission to undergraduates at Crichton Campus.
It follows Glasgow University's decision to abandon this year's intake of undergraduate students - sparking fears of a staged withdrawal. The institution abandoned its 2007 intake of undergraduate students - sparking fears of a staged withdrawal.
However, campaigners hope an SNP election pledge to stop that happening will now be fulfilled. Ms Hyslop said the announcement was a "huge step forward" for the skills and economy of southern Scotland.
There are signs that resources could be made available to allow Glasgow to continue Dumfries-based courses. Her statement followed the publication of a joint-strategy for the future of the campus in Dumfries.
Glasgow University blamed the decision to contract its Crichton operation on a £700,000 deficit which the Scottish Universities Funding Council refused to bridge. The University of Glasgow announced the closure of undergraduate admissions earlier this year in the face of £800,000-a-year losses.
Despite a local outcry, cross-party political opposition, parliamentary debates and a series of crisis talks, stalemate prevailed. The recruitment of students will resume next year.
Change of heart As well as allowing for their return, the support announced by the executive will also see investment in teacher education and infrastructure costs.
The Crichton's academic partners - which also include the newly merged University of Paisley and Bell College - became involved with the Scottish Funding Council in a campus review which is expected to be published in the next few hours. It is a fundamental breakthrough that all the partners have combined their individual goals for the campus to produce one academic strategy for Crichton John McClellandScottish Funding Council
A draft version written in June and seen by the BBC offered little optimism that Glasgow University's position would change. Ms Hyslop said that the announcement - combined with the joint academic strategy - meant a clearer future for the campus.
Fiona Hyslop is expected to announce extra support for the site "The vision and aims of the strategy have our support," she said.
However, campaigners are pinning hopes on the new Scottish government influencing a change of heart. "That's why today, alongside its publication, I am announcing these additional measures from the Scottish government to support the partners in implementing the strategy's actions."
During the election campaign, the now first minister Alex Salmond pledged that Glasgow University's decision would be reversed if the SNP came to power. She said that the executive support would provide an "important impetus" in getting the strategy off the ground.
Critics dismissed that as an empty promise saying ministers had no power to instruct the funding council or any academic institution. "This is a huge step forward in providing the skills which are essential if the economy of the South of Scotland is to flourish," she said.
However, BBC Scotland understands that the education secretary Fiona Hyslop is set to signal additional government support for the Crichton. Sir Muir Russell, centre, joined celebrating students in Dumfries
An announcement is expected on Monday morning. The joint strategy for the campus was unveiled by the Scottish Funding Council (SFC).
Even if more money is directed at Glasgow University, however, it will probably come too late for this year's new student intake at Crichton to be reinstated. It said it would mean the site could offer a wider range of subjects, teach more students and improve economic development links.
The strategy was developed with all the institutions on the site - including the University of Glasgow, Dumfries and Galloway College and the recently-merged University of Paisley and Bell College.
A range of local agencies were also involved.
SFC chair John McClelland said: "It is a fundamental breakthrough that all the partners have combined their individual goals for the campus to produce one academic strategy for Crichton.
"I am delighted we have been able to help develop the strategy and we look forward to seeing Crichton campus develop and grow in the coming years."
'Crippling burden'
The announcement was greeted as "great news" by University of Glasgow Principal Sir Muir Russell.
"We are proud of our achievements at Crichton and we are glad that its value has been recognised," he said.
He said the funding would allow the university to continue its liberal arts degree and offer new postgraduate programmes.
"This settlement also removes from the university the crippling burden of overhead costs which has been a major factor in our recurring deficit at Crichton," he said.
"Overall these decisions enable the university to move within a reasonable timeframe to a break even basis for our operation at Crichton, which has always been our bottom line."