Oxford University academics have called for the prestigious institution to pass a symbolic vote of no confidence in the Government’s higher education reforms.
A no confidence motion is likely to be debated by Oxford’s congregation next month.
About 175 academics have added their support to the motion, spearheaded by the Oxford University Campaign for Higher Education. The campaign group wants Oxford to “stand up and speak out” over budget cuts and to “communicate to Government that the University of Oxford has no confidence in the policies of the minister for higher education”.
The university is planning to charge £9,000 fees from next year.
The motion is likely to be heard and a vote taken at the next meeting of the congregation on June 7. Congregation, Oxford’s equivalent of a parliament, is made up of about 4,000 academics and senior staff members.
Oxford Union president David Barclay said he was “delighted that we are finally seeing a university taking a stand against the Government’s dangerous and rapidly unravelling plans for higher education”.
The Government is due to publish a White Paper this summer setting out its plans for a more market-led university sector.
Ministers were last week forced to deny accusations that the Government was considering plans to allow wealthy students to “buy” university places.
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