Monday 11-11-2024 - 17:09

This is our initial response to the university's announcement about discussing the future of Lampeter and potentially moving courses to Carmarthen and the impact of these changes on students.

What we know

1. Students who study on Lampeter Campus have been asked to attend a conversation on the future of the campus on Wednesday 13 November from 15:00 - as a Students' Union, we need as many of you there as possible. 
2. There are decreasing student numbers on the site. 
3. The proposal is that Programmes move from Lampeter to Carmarthen from September 2025.
4. The University is committed to Humanities programmes. 
5. The University has assured us that no decisions have been made at this point. 

Higher Education needs significant reform and funding is just one element of the system which is broken. The University wants to begin conversations with students about moving Humanities programmes from Lampeter to Carmarthen. 

Higher Education in Wales began in Lampeter 200 years ago. The history and impact of Lampeter campus are undeniable - as an SU we are saddened that the sector has allowed special sites like Lampeter to potentially have to remodel its operation.

We want to hear from you. We're student-led and we want to know how you want to respond to this conversation. If you tell us you would like us to stand against this change, we’re there with you!

Things we’re thinking about

1. There isn’t a way of getting more funding from the Welsh Government or the UK Government if the decision is financial in nature.
2. We can’t just say “No, don’t move programmes to Carmarthen Campus” - we need to be clear on why - and that's why we are here! We need the student population of Lampeter to provide all the feedback they can on their experiences, why they chose Lampeter, and why they believe moving to Carmarthen isn’t an option for them.
3. If students are interested in moving to Carmarthen, how can the University support them to do so? 

If you are an Alumni reading this, please reach out to the University via questions@uwtsd.ac.uk. As a Students' Union, we will be working on organising current students directly; a powerful voice that cannot be diluted by any external forces. Alumni have the opportunity to engage with the University directly and through the Lampeter Society. The spaces for engagement we are creating are for current students only. 

We will be at the University’s forum. You can meet us beforehand if you want to help organise the student response or want to talk to someone about how to have your thoughts heard. Your elected representatives will be available in the Lampeter Students' Union building at 14:00 on Wednesday 13 November. In the meantime, send any feedback to union@uwtsd.ac.uk and we’ll include it within our organising on Wednesday. 

Our Questions

These are the questions we are asking the University to answer formally - we will update this blog when we have answers.

1. What is the timescale for the change; when will the decision be made? 
2. What if students no longer wish to study at UWTSD if they can’t study at Lampeter? 
3. Will the University allow students to finish their degrees on the Lampeter campus? 
4. How will the University ensure it maintains the student experience on Carmarthen Campus for those who do choose to move to that site? Some students chose Lampeter because it is quiet and rural; how will this experience be safeguarded? 
5. Is there any evidence that the introduction of Graduate Attribute Modules on Lampeter Campus impacted recruitment in a positive way?* 
6. When did the University discover there were issues with recruitment? It is understood numbers have been decreasing for several years; why has action only been taken now? 
7. If the decision is financial: what is the income needed to sustain Lampeter Campus; and what is the current income? 
8. In November the University will launch a student partnership project regarding the curriculum review; what programmes have been considered to move to Lampeter? Could Carmarthen Programmes not move to Lampeter? 

*Graduate Attribute Modules were put in place several years ago and replaced content from degrees they are like employability modules.

We understand that the uncertainty around this situation can be stressful and worrying - you can access well-being support via the student assistance programme.