'University must stay independent'

Wednesday, November 19, 2008, 17:00

AN influential graduate organisation has called for Lampeter University's independent status to be preserved.

The appeal comes as a working group prepares to make its recommendations on a merger with a Carmarthen college.

The Lampeter Society, which represents the institution's alumni, says it is "strongly against" closure or amalgamation and wants to bring the university and its graduates together on December 5 and 6 to debate the issue.

Recommendations from a joint working group from the university and Trinity College, Carmarthen, over the possible creation of a new West Wales university, or closer ties, are also expected in December.

Peter Bosley, chairman of Lampeter Society, has written to the town council to ask for help in securing the university's future and maintaining its independence. "The Lampeter Society is fully in favour of UWL continuing as an independent institution pursuing its strategy of providing a liberal arts education to undergraduate and post graduate students, and is strongly against its closure or amalgamation into another institution — a course of action for which we can only see conspicuous disadvantages," he said.

The University of Wales Lampeter confirmed this week that the joint working group will report its findings and recommendation to the respective councils in December.

"There is therefore no decision yet on the exact form of the partnership" said a university spokeswoman.

"Since the threat of industrial action was dropped and compulsory redundancies in Lampeter were avoided this autumn, staff and council members here have been looking at the synergies that exist between Lampeter and Trinity and the ways in which we could build upon the strengths of both, for the benefit of students and higher education."

In a statement, Trinity College Carmarthen said: "We can confirm that Trinity College Carmarthen and the University of Wales Lampeter are engaged in detailed discussions regarding the possibility of creating a new university in West Wales."

Lampeter University faces a significant increase in next year's pay costs and has had to make cuts. Staff had threatened to strike over redundancies.

An interim vice-chancellor, Alfred Morris (pictured), was appointed in September.

A statement from Lampeter Town Council said it is fully supportive of the Lampeter Society in its endeavours to secure the University's future.