It’s finally ready! Sign our Change.org petition here!

We believe the Vice Chancellor (VC) and University Leadership Team (ULT) have pursued reckless growth and restructuring which UCU has repeatedly warned against. 

Why sign this petition?

• Unsustainable Growth: CU attempted to (unsuccessfully) increase student numbers from 27,600 (2014/15) to 80,000 as part of their 2021 Corporate Plan. Coventry student fees and loans were used to fund investment in excessive student accommodation changing the character of the city and not investing in much needed teaching facilities. 
• Drop in Overall Student Satisfaction: CU dropped 58 positions in 2 years to 81st for the Overall NSS ranking score for 2020.  During these two years the university steamrolled through a ‘New Academic Year’ without the support and agreement of students and staff. 
• Abolishing Mid-Level Academic Roles: Recent restructuring by CU targets mid-level academics (Principal Lecturers/Associate Professors) whilst claiming it’s “in the best interest of students and taxpayers” and a “reduction in senior roles”. This act severs the link between teaching and academic expertise, diminishing opportunities for students to directly engage with current knowledge.
• Lack of Diversity at the Top: The VC has created a ULT which is not representative of the diverse staff and student community within the university and across the city.
• Top Heavy Management: CU has a bloated and top heavy management structure with over 20 senior ULT positions in the VC’s office alone. 
• Lack of Transparency: No effective involvement of all staff and CU community in decision-making. Highly selective with the information shared with staff, students and local community.
• Subsidiarisation: Although CU is a charity more and more staff are being transferred to for-profit subsidiary companies on worse terms and conditions. 

We believe the VC and ULT have created a university structure and strategy which is not fit for purpose. Therefore, please sign this petition in support of a vote of no confidence in the VC and the ULT of Coventry University. Coventry UCU members are also voting on this in a separate online poll.