BBCA college campus going through monetary pressures has seen undergraduate scholar numbers fall from 562 in 2015-16 to 92 this 12 months, an official has mentioned.
Prof Elwen Evans, vice-chancellor of College of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD), spoke at a gathering to debate the way forward for the college’s Lampeter campus in Ceredigion, attended by about 300 folks.
UWTSD has mentioned it had been “clear” the Lampeter campus shouldn’t be closing, however it’s taking a look at alternative ways to carry occasions linked to training.
Nevertheless, final month it was confirmed the humanities programs on the campus will probably be moved to Carmarthen, a transfer that has been extremely criticised.
Prof Evans mentioned there was a “long-term decline” in undergraduate college students, and folks should “face the truth” that fewer college students are selecting Lampeter to check because of “location” and “transportation”.
She added one of many “elementary misconceptions” is the idea the college is closing the campus, which Prof Evans emphasised has “been no a part of our plan”.
Talking of the “existential disaster” going through universities usually, she mentioned there are “considerably fewer” college students in Wales going into greater training than the remainder of the UK.
She additionally mentioned the college is wholly depending on scholar charges. “We now have no reserves. We now have no cash saved,” she mentioned.
These on the assembly heard the price of working the campus in Lampeter, which is situated within the centre of the city and has a inhabitants of round 3,000, is £2.7m a 12 months, however Prof Evans mentioned scholar revenue is “manner lower than that”.
Feelings have been excessive within the assembly, which was chaired by Member of the Senedd for Ceredigion Elin Jones.
Responding to questions from college students about their expertise, Prof Evans mentioned it was essential for college kids to “be in a extra vibrant, fuller and larger surroundings”.
One worldwide scholar mentioned she was “shocked” by the way in which the college had “handled worldwide college students”, including it was “extra disappointing” than having to cancel her wedding ceremony final 12 months.
After the assembly, Prof Evans mentioned the choice to relocate humanities research to the Carmarthen campus was to protect the topic and preserve the Lampeter website open earlier than undergraduate numbers decline.
She added it was geared toward preserving the campus “alive and vibrant” whereas sustaining humanities provision – and “absolutely the reverse of placing a nail in any coffin”.
Requested whether or not the college had “let [student] numbers dwindle over time”, Prof Evans mentioned that they had regarded on the information and brought steps when she got here into the function after being appointed in Might 2023.
“I am coping with what’s in entrance of me, and I’m hoping that I can drive the change that we have to obtain – each to make the humanities thrive in Carmarthen, but in addition to make this excellent campus vibrant as nicely,” she added.
