Staff voice fear over Midlands merger

Academics at Aston University have expressed strong reservations over proposals to create a new "mega-institution" through a merger with Birmingham University.

Feelings are running so high that the university has decided to hold up the talks to consult staff and students on whether to go ahead with the plan.

A report on the merger talks circulated at Aston highlights "deep concerns" voiced by the university's council members. They are worried that the appointment of a new vice-chancellor at Birmingham, announced last week as Michael Stirling, from Brunel University, along with other senior management changes, could lead to "planning blight" because of an impending merger and "the attrition of academic and other staff from Aston, as well as difficulties in recruiting and retaining new staff and students".

The university's senate, although recommending the merger proposals should be "developed further", also noted that "the ongoing discussions about the possible integration of Aston and Birmingham universities were causing some concern among potential and existing staff, and had possibly led to some wastage".

A report on the senate's meeting suggests that in the short term, it is unlikely an integrated university would be able to attract the same number of applications for popular courses as is enjoyed separately by the universities.

It adds that "this could result in a diminution of entry standards if current recruitment levels are... maintained".

Aston has launched a consultation with staff and students on whether to continue with the merger talks, or abandon the idea.

Aston members of the joint strategy group set up by the universities have set a deadline of February 12 for responses, which will be considered by the university's council on February 21.

David Packham, Aston's secretary-registrar, said: "We have deliberately not given a steer on this. We have presented staff and students with all the information, so they can tell us what they think."

Henry Miller, president of Aston Association of University Teachers, said there was "cautious acceptance" among staff that the merger would go ahead.

But he added: "People are sceptical about the argument that proposals have been put together purely on academic grounds. We do not necessarily believe there are no financial reasons."