Campus survives but new sustainable model will be developed, says University of Brighton

Hastings campus is not sustainable in the longer term, the University of Brighton has concluded. It will now seek to develop a “new model” of higher education provision in the town, in conjunction with Sussex Coast College Hastings. But a withdrawal from the town, as local politicians had feared, is not envisaged. Nick Terdre reports.

“The current campus model is not sustainable,” a university spokesman told HOT. “It will be phased out in favour of a new model that will continue to deliver higher and further education in Hastings in collaboration with Sussex Coast College Hastings with the longer term objective of establishing a University of Hastings.” The option of closing the campus had been considered but discarded.

The new model should be decided in a matter of months – detailed work is already under way – and will probably take a couple of years to phase in. It “will be smaller and more focused than the current one to ensure that it is sustainable for the long term,” the spokesman said. “Higher education courses will be developed and delivered in partnership with Sussex Coast College Hastings.”

So university courses will continue to be offered in Hastings, though some current ones may be moved to other campuses. Some may continue to be given in the university’s premises in Priory Square and Havelock Road – no decision has been made about these buildings, though there are currently no plans to sell them. In the meantime all current students will be allowed to complete their courses, the majority in Hastings, though some may have to do so elsewhere. But no courses will be moved without consultation with staff and students, the spokesman said.

The statements put out by local politicians suggest they were unaware of some of the details given above. “A decision to close the Hastings Campus would be a backwards step for our town’s regeneration, especially since we have invested large sums of tax payers’ money into creating the campus in the first place,” said MP Amber Rudd. “Without delay, the University needs to communicate the full details of what this ‘enhanced relationship’ with Sussex Coast College means for our town and its students. If they listen to us, they will realise that the University’s campus in Hastings needs to remain a central part of our town.”

Meanwhile Hastings Borough Council leader, Peter Chowney, said: “If Brighton University are indeed closing their Hastings centre, it’s a devastating blow to the town’s regeneration, especially considering the amount of public money that went into creating a university centre here…

“But this must not be the end of a university in Hastings. We will be looking to Brighton University to co-operate with us and Sussex Coast College, not just to retain some higher education in Hastings, but to create a genuine University of Hastings. Hastings has become a university town. It must remain a university town. I’m determined to work with Sussex Coast College, Brighton University, local businesses, our MP, other universities, and anyone else who wants to contribute, to help us achieve that.”

On behalf of Hastings & Rye Labour Party, chair Paul Barnett and vice-chair, Sarah Owen said: “The University’s withdrawal is incredibly disappointing news… We would ask that the University of Brighton give a clearer indication of their plans, reconsider their decision to close the campus over two years and give a genuine reassurance to all students and staff by staying in Hastings.”

On the question of public funds – £12 million was allocated to set up the Hastings campus – the spokesman said, “We have discharged our responsibilities in regard to this funding. The University bought all of its current buildings with its own money.”

Criticism by Ms Rudd of the university – “The future of Brighton’s Hastings campus should not even be being debated,” she was reported as saying when the review was announced – has apparently caused surprise in its management circles given that she fully supported the introduction of the government’s higher education policies, which form the background to the decision to hold the review.

At the heart of the crisis is a coming lack of potential students to make the current campus set-up viable – a sharp fall is predicted in the number of 16-17 year olds in the town and the surrounding areas, in line with a similar trend across the country.

See also Labour adds its voice to campaign to save Hastings’ university campus from closure

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