‘University of Year’ in staff crisis
As York celebrates its status as The Sunday Times University of the Year, the spotlight has fallen on the Philosophy Department, which is reeling from its biggest staffing crisis in decades.
Prominent philosophy lecturer, Samir Okasha, has dramatically quit his post over the summer vacation. The shock resignation caused dismay amongst colleagues that he had taken the decision to move at a critical time for the department, and to a "rival institution", Bristol University.
This latest development comes after a succession of staff members abandoned the department to take on externally funded research projects. Professor Tom Baldwin, the head of Philosophy in 2002, is currently on research leave for two years and Gordon Finlayson has been on medical leave for much of last year, leaving many students with temporary lecturers and only scant access to the course conveyer. And with two more Philosophy lecturers poised to add to the exodus, Professor Peter Lamarque and Dr Stephen Everson, there seems no let up in the crisis of the faltering faculty.
Acting Head of Department, Tom Stoneham has criticised the Vice Chancellor for exacerbating the problems, by restricting crucial funding, which would help alleviate the acute staff shortages. A nine month freeze on all University funded academic posts, imposed by the University, has blocked any attempt by the department to recruit replacement lecturers. Stoneham admitted that the department already had the worst staff to student ratio in the University. "While our student numbers are increasing year on year, we do not get the staff to teach them" he said.
Many students have faced the disappointment of cancelled modules. And for students whose courses are not cancelled, many will be forced to take on a drastically increased workload in the spring term, amid preparation for finals.
Brian Cantor has expressed his satisfaction with the recent Sunday Times award. But with a philosophy department in meltdown and financial shortfalls in simply maintaining exisiting staff, this will be a testing year for both himself and students.
Loading ...