Irks at Birkbeck

Contrary to what was stated in your story "Science fears for Birkbeck" (THES, December 13), compulsory redundancy notices were not, and have not been, issued to four members of staff.

Birkbeck's academic departments are grouped into resource centres, each of which has a head who is responsible for its overall organisation and financial administration. Each head is supported by an administrative officer. The strategic working party, appointed by governors to consider ways in which the college could avoid a projected deficit, commissioned Coopers & Lybrand to "examine the relationship and balance of responsibilities between the administration and the resource centres and to consider options for enhancing the effectiveness, efficiency and economy of operation and so contributing to the avoidance of deficit".

Coopers & Lybrand identified scope for savings at the resource centre level with respect to the four administrative officer posts. Their report was considered by the college's finance and general purposes committee which recommended that the four posts of administrative officer in resource centres A/B, C, D and E be declared redundant and that the college procedures on redundancy be followed; and a part-time personal assistant be appointed for each resource centre head at a clerical grade to be determined. Their report and recommendations were put before governors at its meeting on December 12.

The college is now able to report that no decision was taken by the governors on these recommendations as it was agreed that the trade union and the members of staff concerned, one of whom has been absent through sickness, should be given a longer time for comments. All four staff and the union now have until January 15 to respond. The governors' decision has been delegated to a sub-committee of governors, who will meet later in January.

When asked by your journalist what was the college's reaction to the suggestion that the possible closure of physics was "the tip of the iceberg", Tessa Blackstone, master of Birkbeck replied: "The college is committed to continuing the current range of subjects taught and there is no intention whatsoever to run down science at Birkbeck. On the contrary, if the governors decide the college is unable to keep the physics department open, there will be more resources available for teaching and research in other science subjects." The inclusion of this comment would have presented a more balanced report.

Christine Mabey, Secretary and clerk to the governors, Birkbeck College.