Madam,

While Patrick O’Brien often raises relevant issues in his column, once again he pours scorn and negativity on Aberystwyth University (The human cost of university job losses would be substantial). While saying that apportioning blame for past mistakes is unproductive, he nonetheless spends most of his writing doing just that.

Does Mr O’Brien not realise that negative perceptions can undo all the hard work of the university in turning around league tables, running open days, working on bank holidays and weekends, and doing everything possible to promote the institution?

Aberystwyth is a smaller university. It has none of the big assets (medical schools, engineering departments etc, as found in Swansea and Cardiff) and hence is more vulnerable and more subject to market and funding fluctuations. For example, staff costs are a larger proportion of the running costs. And, even so, some of the very largest universities, eg Manchester, are reporting staff cuts in one form or another.

The present fall in student demand is indeed very serious and this could well get worse. Against the advice and pleas of all universities, and many businesses and economic analysts, the government has now stated it will include students in the immigration statistics.

Their manifesto says it will bring “net migration down to the tens of thousands” and “overseas students will remain in the immigration statistics and within scope of the government’s policy to reduce annual net migration”. Threats like this mean the university needs all the help and support it can get.

As Mr O’Brien agrees, the prosperity of Aberystwyth town is inextricably tied to the success of the university. I hope that we all recognise this and support better town-and-gown integration, collaboration and harmony in future. A more positive tone and perhaps even a few plaudits from Mr O’Brien might do wonders in attracting a few more students!

Yours etc,

Prof Mark Lee, Llanbadarn Fawr, Aberystwyth.

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