Latest news with #UniversityOfDerby
BBC News
11-06-2025
- Health
- BBC News
University of Derby students 'losing' disability support
Disabled students at the University of Derby are calling for more specialist support to be available during their studies, after the university made changes to its disability support.A group called the Independent Disabled Students Network (IDSN), which was formed to challenge decisions made by the university, said there had been a "significant reduction in disability support across the university".Sonja Brown, 58, a disabled student, told the BBC: "It's stressful and frustrating that we weren't considered. I feel like I'm a second class citizen and that they couldn't speak to me and get my point of view."The university denied removing any support for students with disabilities. The IDSN group claim the university has scrapped deadline extensions, extra time in examinations and single-diagnosis support plans for Earnes, 28, a student and founder of the group said: "To date, the university has not issued a formal policy or public statement clarifying the current position on support entitlements. "Multiple students have raised complaints, and we have started to rely on Freedom of Information requests to access basic information about policies that directly affect our ability to study."Sonja, who is studying a masters degree in international tourism and hospitality, says she lost support that was previously available to her during her undergraduate studies."I was here from 2020 to 2023. I had a Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA) in place and got support and extensions. "I came back in September 2024 to find I still have my support plan but not my extensions, because they want to make it a level playing field. "Not only do I have a hidden disability, I've got a physical disability. "It just means more stress for us. If I had known about the changes at the open day, I would have considered going to another university." Rosie Henrick, 25, a disabled psychology student who is autistic, has ADHD and general anxiety disorder, says the changes are taking a toll on their said: "It has a psychical and mental negative impact. I've been getting a lot more high heart rate notifications. I'm very stressed out."I don't think I can be there next year if they don't change stuff."I get good grades but I also don't want my health to decline. It definitely is, and I've been noticing it."George Butler, 19, a disabled civil engineering student who also acts as a student representative said: "It's a lot more mental stress for disabled students. "To expect more and more of a person that you're taking more and more away from, means they'll be able to work less." The group is also challenging the university over its decision to introduce fares to the Unibus, a bus service that is free for students and staff until 31 July Cassidy, 32, a disabled health and social care student, said: "We've had some reviews with the walking routes that they've suggested for people. "It's not appealing to a disabled student because there's not very good walkways, hardly any lighting and no dropped kerbs. "It's really damaging for a disabled student. Not only do they see physical support being removed from their educational system, but they're also seeing actual barriers to getting to the university as well."A lot of disabled students have extra things they have to pay for such as care, extra food, medications or whatever else may be affecting them personally. "To have an extra charge on top, I find it really difficult for them. I've heard people say they wouldn't come in as much, and that to me doesn't seem very welcoming to disabled students."A spokesperson for the university said: "The university has not removed any support for its students with disabilities. "Historically we applied a blanket approach whereas now we are improving our support and providing a bespoke service which aims to ensure each student has what they need to thrive."The option of providing extensions to deadlines or extra time in exams, remains for those students with a disability for whom this is an appropriate support mechanism."The university also confirmed the Unibus charges were implemented following "consultation with students and will help towards environmental sustainability goals".It added: "Disabled students may be entitled to support with travel via certain government benefits and can contact our Disability Advisers who can provide advice and guidance on how to access this."
BBC News
07-06-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Job cuts fears as University of Derby plans college mergers
A union has warned the University of Derby will be "weaker" as part of proposed changes which it is feared could lead to job internal announcement made to staff, seen by the BBC, states there would be a "reduction in posts" and the university's four colleges would be merged into two as part of the plans.A spokesperson for the University of Derby said the changes were to "ensure the university's long-term sustainability".UNISON East Midlands head of higher education Elliot Dean said: "Cutting these jobs will hit Derby hard." "You can't provide a first-class university experience without the people who make it happen," he added."Fewer staff means poorer services, less support for students and, ultimately, a weaker university. "Derby deserves a well-resourced institution that invests in its people, not one that trims away the very teams who bring learning and innovation to life."UNISON said it was in the early stages of negotiations with the university and the number of redundancies has not yet been internal email sent to staff states the planned merging of the university colleges would be effective from 1 August this current four colleges will become two - the College of Health and Humanities and the College of Science and adds: "As part of these proposals, we are reviewing academic leadership roles in areas where the change to our colleges will mean we have duplication. "We are also looking at downsizing our professional services management and leadership to align closer to our student base. "Regrettably, this includes some reduction in posts. Those directly affected have already been contacted, and we are now in consultation with them and the relevant unions." 'Gold standard teaching' A spokesperson at the University of Derby said: "We are the only university in the city and county, contributing millions to the economic prosperity of the region, and we have a responsibility to ensure our long-term sustainability in order to remain one of the area's largest employers and providers of higher education."To ensure we are best positioned to do this, and that we can continue to deliver an outstanding, gold standard teaching and learning experience, we have made proposals which would see us reorganising our academic colleges and aligning our professional services leadership more in line with our student population. "Some roles may well be impacted by these changes."In addition, our standalone Derby Business School, which is on track to exceed recruitment targets this year, will welcome students from across the world to Derby. "Applications are up across the board and these changes will contribute to our continued growth."The announcement has come two months after a round of redundancies were announced for research leadership roles, professors and associate move was criticised by the University and College Union (UCU), which said the cuts would "cause lasting damage to Derby's academic reputation".
