UCU Essex
@ucuessex.bsky.social
We are the University of Essex branch of the University and College Union (UCU). Reposts, follows etc are not endorsements.
Management want to cut 400 jobs, but we know a better university is possible. We've posted our ballots - have you?
December 17, 2025 at 5:57 PM
Management want to cut 400 jobs, but we know a better university is possible. We've posted our ballots - have you?
Reposted by UCU Essex
Just one act of vandalism after another at Essex right now - a university firmly embedded in a community that really needs it.
Solidarity with everyone there, and hopes for a better future than this.
Solidarity with everyone there, and hopes for a better future than this.
In yet more devastating news, the VC has confirmed her plans to cut 80% of academic staff from Essex Pathways, our foundation year department. This would effectively close down all our existing foundation year programmes through the back door.
But it's not a done deal yet. Please share urgently.
But it's not a done deal yet. Please share urgently.
December 17, 2025 at 10:48 AM
Just one act of vandalism after another at Essex right now - a university firmly embedded in a community that really needs it.
Solidarity with everyone there, and hopes for a better future than this.
Solidarity with everyone there, and hopes for a better future than this.
Meanwhile, in Sheffield:
Friends! Big favour to ask. We're trying to save our university but the management, exposed for their recklessness, is being aggressive & will withdraw our salaries indefinitely. Sign & share to ask this 'lockout' tactic be withdrawn @sheffielducu.bsky.social
www.megaphone.org.uk/petitions/no...
www.megaphone.org.uk/petitions/no...
No lockout for University of Sheffield staff
UCU members have been standing up against the continual cutting and restructuring of the last several years which has significantly damaged the University’s international standing, the quality of educ...
www.megaphone.org.uk
December 13, 2025 at 12:22 PM
Meanwhile, in Sheffield:
Sam McLean @sammcleanntcc.bsky.social on Essex Pathways, the University's experts on foundation year provision.
"[O]nce that department is gone, it's gone. It would take decades to rebuild the hundreds of years of combined experience that run it."
"[O]nce that department is gone, it's gone. It would take decades to rebuild the hundreds of years of combined experience that run it."
December 12, 2025 at 8:52 AM
Sam McLean @sammcleanntcc.bsky.social on Essex Pathways, the University's experts on foundation year provision.
"[O]nce that department is gone, it's gone. It would take decades to rebuild the hundreds of years of combined experience that run it."
"[O]nce that department is gone, it's gone. It would take decades to rebuild the hundreds of years of combined experience that run it."
Pam Cox MP, former member of staff at the University of Essex, speaks out against redundancies and course closures 👏
www.facebook.com/reel/2288732...
www.facebook.com/reel/2288732...
3.3K views · 88 reactions | Today I raised the issue of university redundancies and course closures in the House of Commons and have requested a meeting with Ministers to discuss the situation at the ...
Today I raised the issue of university redundancies and course closures in the House of Commons and have requested a meeting with Ministers to discuss the situation at the University of Essex in more....
www.facebook.com
December 12, 2025 at 8:46 AM
Pam Cox MP, former member of staff at the University of Essex, speaks out against redundancies and course closures 👏
www.facebook.com/reel/2288732...
www.facebook.com/reel/2288732...
Reposted by UCU Essex
What a way to say “thank you for all the work you did getting this trying term to a good end”: risk of redundancy letters to go into the Christmas break.
Wishing triplet ghost visits upon Essex management. And sending much solidarity to all @ucuessex.bsky.social
Wishing triplet ghost visits upon Essex management. And sending much solidarity to all @ucuessex.bsky.social
Ongoing decimation of British universities part 252:
Apx. 1000 academic staff at University of Essex just received formal ‘risk of redundancy’ letters via email.
Please share @ucuessex.bsky.social @ucu.org.uk
Apx. 1000 academic staff at University of Essex just received formal ‘risk of redundancy’ letters via email.
Please share @ucuessex.bsky.social @ucu.org.uk
December 11, 2025 at 10:05 PM
What a way to say “thank you for all the work you did getting this trying term to a good end”: risk of redundancy letters to go into the Christmas break.
Wishing triplet ghost visits upon Essex management. And sending much solidarity to all @ucuessex.bsky.social
Wishing triplet ghost visits upon Essex management. And sending much solidarity to all @ucuessex.bsky.social
Local MPs are visiting Southend campus tomorrow (12th Dec) at 9:30am, room TF.2.14.
December 11, 2025 at 6:58 PM
Local MPs are visiting Southend campus tomorrow (12th Dec) at 9:30am, room TF.2.14.
Reposted by UCU Essex
Since they're not restructuring, they're putting us all at risk because there may be a diminished need for "teaching and research", which are... the university's missions I guess?
December 11, 2025 at 5:19 PM
Since they're not restructuring, they're putting us all at risk because there may be a diminished need for "teaching and research", which are... the university's missions I guess?
Reposted by UCU Essex
Ongoing decimation of British universities part 252:
Apx. 1000 academic staff at University of Essex just received formal ‘risk of redundancy’ letters via email.
Please share @ucuessex.bsky.social @ucu.org.uk
Apx. 1000 academic staff at University of Essex just received formal ‘risk of redundancy’ letters via email.
Please share @ucuessex.bsky.social @ucu.org.uk
December 11, 2025 at 4:59 PM
Ongoing decimation of British universities part 252:
Apx. 1000 academic staff at University of Essex just received formal ‘risk of redundancy’ letters via email.
Please share @ucuessex.bsky.social @ucu.org.uk
Apx. 1000 academic staff at University of Essex just received formal ‘risk of redundancy’ letters via email.
Please share @ucuessex.bsky.social @ucu.org.uk
Reposted by UCU Essex
This @universityofessex.bsky.social, by the way: www.ft.com/content/2cdd....
The university that had been established to transform the region & society, swiftly dropping the programmes for widening participation the moment finances are tight. They were in the middle in 2024, what happened?
The university that had been established to transform the region & society, swiftly dropping the programmes for widening participation the moment finances are tight. They were in the middle in 2024, what happened?
December 9, 2025 at 3:29 PM
This @universityofessex.bsky.social, by the way: www.ft.com/content/2cdd....
The university that had been established to transform the region & society, swiftly dropping the programmes for widening participation the moment finances are tight. They were in the middle in 2024, what happened?
The university that had been established to transform the region & society, swiftly dropping the programmes for widening participation the moment finances are tight. They were in the middle in 2024, what happened?
Reposted by UCU Essex
it's gutting to see access and widening participation initiatives being binned across the university sector. ELCE here at Bristol, Essex Pathways here. nothing pushes my personal, visceral buttons like the idea of denying academic study to someone whose life it could change
In yet more devastating news, the VC has confirmed her plans to cut 80% of academic staff from Essex Pathways, our foundation year department. This would effectively close down all our existing foundation year programmes through the back door.
But it's not a done deal yet. Please share urgently.
But it's not a done deal yet. Please share urgently.
December 8, 2025 at 8:18 AM
it's gutting to see access and widening participation initiatives being binned across the university sector. ELCE here at Bristol, Essex Pathways here. nothing pushes my personal, visceral buttons like the idea of denying academic study to someone whose life it could change
Reposted by UCU Essex
Foundation courses are under attack left, right and centre.
I was a foundation student. It changed my life.
I was a foundation student. It changed my life.
In yet more devastating news, the VC has confirmed her plans to cut 80% of academic staff from Essex Pathways, our foundation year department. This would effectively close down all our existing foundation year programmes through the back door.
But it's not a done deal yet. Please share urgently.
But it's not a done deal yet. Please share urgently.
December 8, 2025 at 8:30 AM
Foundation courses are under attack left, right and centre.
I was a foundation student. It changed my life.
I was a foundation student. It changed my life.
Reposted by UCU Essex
There are some people who would regard decreasing access to universities as a good thing. As the Second Doctor would say, these people must be fought.
In yet more devastating news, the VC has confirmed her plans to cut 80% of academic staff from Essex Pathways, our foundation year department. This would effectively close down all our existing foundation year programmes through the back door.
But it's not a done deal yet. Please share urgently.
But it's not a done deal yet. Please share urgently.
December 8, 2025 at 9:48 AM
There are some people who would regard decreasing access to universities as a good thing. As the Second Doctor would say, these people must be fought.
Reposted by UCU Essex
It somehow is always the widening participation programmes that are the ones that get cut first, that get deemed dispensable.
Shame on @universityofessex.bsky.social. Transforming society for the better is #UKHE 's role, Essex's in particular. Have you forgotten what you were established for?
Shame on @universityofessex.bsky.social. Transforming society for the better is #UKHE 's role, Essex's in particular. Have you forgotten what you were established for?
In yet more devastating news, the VC has confirmed her plans to cut 80% of academic staff from Essex Pathways, our foundation year department. This would effectively close down all our existing foundation year programmes through the back door.
But it's not a done deal yet. Please share urgently.
But it's not a done deal yet. Please share urgently.
December 7, 2025 at 2:07 PM
It somehow is always the widening participation programmes that are the ones that get cut first, that get deemed dispensable.
Shame on @universityofessex.bsky.social. Transforming society for the better is #UKHE 's role, Essex's in particular. Have you forgotten what you were established for?
Shame on @universityofessex.bsky.social. Transforming society for the better is #UKHE 's role, Essex's in particular. Have you forgotten what you were established for?
Reposted by UCU Essex
they’re coming for everyone
but hitting the parts with the most positive social impact hardest:
campus in Southend that was part of regeneration plans which trains nurses & social workers
our foundation programme which does incredible work none of the rest of us *can* do
but hitting the parts with the most positive social impact hardest:
campus in Southend that was part of regeneration plans which trains nurses & social workers
our foundation programme which does incredible work none of the rest of us *can* do
In yet more devastating news, the VC has confirmed her plans to cut 80% of academic staff from Essex Pathways, our foundation year department. This would effectively close down all our existing foundation year programmes through the back door.
But it's not a done deal yet. Please share urgently.
But it's not a done deal yet. Please share urgently.
December 6, 2025 at 1:31 PM
they’re coming for everyone
but hitting the parts with the most positive social impact hardest:
campus in Southend that was part of regeneration plans which trains nurses & social workers
our foundation programme which does incredible work none of the rest of us *can* do
but hitting the parts with the most positive social impact hardest:
campus in Southend that was part of regeneration plans which trains nurses & social workers
our foundation programme which does incredible work none of the rest of us *can* do
In yet more devastating news, the VC has confirmed her plans to cut 80% of academic staff from Essex Pathways, our foundation year department. This would effectively close down all our existing foundation year programmes through the back door.
But it's not a done deal yet. Please share urgently.
But it's not a done deal yet. Please share urgently.
December 6, 2025 at 10:55 AM
In yet more devastating news, the VC has confirmed her plans to cut 80% of academic staff from Essex Pathways, our foundation year department. This would effectively close down all our existing foundation year programmes through the back door.
But it's not a done deal yet. Please share urgently.
But it's not a done deal yet. Please share urgently.
Reposted by UCU Essex
Solidarity with Essex UCU as they fight these unnecessary and devastating proposed cuts
One of our branch co-presidents, Jordan Osserman, talking on BBC Essex this morning about the devastating cuts to our University, and what needs to be done about them. Please share.
We had yet more shocking news this morning - stay tuned.
We had yet more shocking news this morning - stay tuned.
December 4, 2025 at 10:05 AM
Solidarity with Essex UCU as they fight these unnecessary and devastating proposed cuts
One of our branch co-presidents, Jordan Osserman, talking on BBC Essex this morning about the devastating cuts to our University, and what needs to be done about them. Please share.
We had yet more shocking news this morning - stay tuned.
We had yet more shocking news this morning - stay tuned.
December 3, 2025 at 8:45 PM
One of our branch co-presidents, Jordan Osserman, talking on BBC Essex this morning about the devastating cuts to our University, and what needs to be done about them. Please share.
We had yet more shocking news this morning - stay tuned.
We had yet more shocking news this morning - stay tuned.
No future plan.
www.instagram.com/reel/DRzk2BF...
www.instagram.com/reel/DRzk2BF...
University and College Union on Instagram: "Four hundred jobs.
A campus closed.
Staff deserve better."
11 likes, 0 comments - ucunion on December 3, 2025: "Four hundred jobs.
A campus closed.
Staff deserve better.".
www.instagram.com
December 3, 2025 at 5:46 PM
No future plan.
www.instagram.com/reel/DRzk2BF...
www.instagram.com/reel/DRzk2BF...
Reposted by UCU Essex
The threat to 400 jobs at Essex, in the lead up to Christmas is nothing short of cruel.
We stand with every member affected. We will fight this.
www.ucu.org.uk/article/1427...
We stand with every member affected. We will fight this.
www.ucu.org.uk/article/1427...
Staff fury as University of Essex threatens to slash 400 jobs
The University and College Union has today (Tuesday 2 December) condemned plans by the University of Essex to axe 400 jobs and close its Southend campus.
www.ucu.org.uk
December 2, 2025 at 8:53 PM
The threat to 400 jobs at Essex, in the lead up to Christmas is nothing short of cruel.
We stand with every member affected. We will fight this.
www.ucu.org.uk/article/1427...
We stand with every member affected. We will fight this.
www.ucu.org.uk/article/1427...
Reposted by UCU Essex
Solidarity with all staff and students affected by this wanton act of vandalism.
It's official: 400 redundancies and a campus closure. At-risk staff will get a letter next week. Absolutely no serious consideration of any of the union's counterproposals.
Please share widely.
Please share widely.
December 3, 2025 at 7:26 AM
Solidarity with all staff and students affected by this wanton act of vandalism.
Reposted by UCU Essex
Yet more cutting of HE provision in the South East that's not London.
The coastal towns in England are among some of the most deprived in the UK - it's not just that present and future students are losing out, it's also the amount of JOBS being lost.
The coastal towns in England are among some of the most deprived in the UK - it's not just that present and future students are losing out, it's also the amount of JOBS being lost.
December 2, 2025 at 5:12 PM
Yet more cutting of HE provision in the South East that's not London.
The coastal towns in England are among some of the most deprived in the UK - it's not just that present and future students are losing out, it's also the amount of JOBS being lost.
The coastal towns in England are among some of the most deprived in the UK - it's not just that present and future students are losing out, it's also the amount of JOBS being lost.
Reposted by UCU Essex
The University of Essex has announced it is looking to cut staff and close one of its campuses as it looks to create a more “sustainable” future. Juliette Rowsell reports
https://www.timeshighereducation.com/news/essex-close-southend-campus-and-cut-400-jobs
https://www.timeshighereducation.com/news/essex-close-southend-campus-and-cut-400-jobs
Essex to close Southend campus and cut 400 jobs
University says it has been forced into making ‘decisions we could have never previously imagined’ after steep drop in international student numbers
www.timeshighereducation.com
December 2, 2025 at 5:07 PM
The University of Essex has announced it is looking to cut staff and close one of its campuses as it looks to create a more “sustainable” future. Juliette Rowsell reports
https://www.timeshighereducation.com/news/essex-close-southend-campus-and-cut-400-jobs
https://www.timeshighereducation.com/news/essex-close-southend-campus-and-cut-400-jobs
Reposted by UCU Essex
Extremely difficult news here today, I'm sorry to say.
It's official: 400 redundancies and a campus closure. At-risk staff will get a letter next week. Absolutely no serious consideration of any of the union's counterproposals.
Please share widely.
Please share widely.
December 2, 2025 at 6:46 PM
Extremely difficult news here today, I'm sorry to say.
Reposted by UCU Essex
honestly the most hurtful part of this announcement was the repeated supposed commitment to respecting everyone’s ‘dignity’ while announcing the closure of a campus on said campus in the middle of a teaching day
It's official: 400 redundancies and a campus closure. At-risk staff will get a letter next week. Absolutely no serious consideration of any of the union's counterproposals.
Please share widely.
Please share widely.
December 2, 2025 at 4:57 PM
honestly the most hurtful part of this announcement was the repeated supposed commitment to respecting everyone’s ‘dignity’ while announcing the closure of a campus on said campus in the middle of a teaching day