{"id":7603,"date":"2026-05-18T01:12:33","date_gmt":"2026-05-18T00:12:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gaudie.co.uk\/wpress\/?p=7603"},"modified":"2026-05-25T22:30:16","modified_gmt":"2026-05-25T21:30:16","slug":"university-restructuring-proposals-intensify-rifts-between-staff-and-senior-management","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gaudie.co.uk\/wpress\/index.php\/news\/2026\/05\/18\/university-restructuring-proposals-intensify-rifts-between-staff-and-senior-management\/","title":{"rendered":"University restructuring proposals intensify rifts between staff and senior management"},"content":{"rendered":"

by Fred Byrne, Ana Kolesnyk & Emily Reid.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Aberdeen alumni and lecturers have challenged Aberdeen university bosses on their financial management.<\/p>\n

With distant sounds of dance music and cheering students at the annual rugby sevens outside, those inside King\u2019s Auditorium faced a more serious Saturday at the General Council meeting.<\/p>\n

Concerns over potentially damaging effects of restructuring proposals and perceived failures to generate more revenue were raised by University of Aberdeen alumni alongside current lecturers.<\/p>\n

Professor Peter\u2019s principals questioned<\/strong><\/p>\n

It was the first General Council meeting for Principal Pete Edwards, who has been criticised<\/a> by staff for refusing to rule out compulsory redundancies and for his swift approach to pursuing cuts. Prof Edwards said, \u201cAberdeen University is often too slow to change.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"General
General Council met last Saturday (Photo: Emily Reid)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

At the meeting, he touted his expertise in artificial intelligence and large scale data management, and said he had brought in over \u00a320 million in funding while he was a researcher.<\/p>\n

Professor Benjamin Martin challenged the Principal on staff mental health, pointing to the triple suicide of professors in the 1980s, one of which included was his cousin Dr Nicola Mackie.<\/p>\n

On their way into the auditorium, attendees had picked up the print-outs of the article \u2018Remember Nicola. Do not make the same mistake\u2019<\/a> from Gaudie<\/i> news bins.<\/p>\n

Dismissing parallels between restructuring then and now, Principal Edwards insisted that questions on the deaths were not relevant to discussions about Adapting for Continued Success.<\/p>\n

\u201cStaff are the largest cost of the university,\u201d the Principal told attendees when discussing the university\u2019s need to cut costs.<\/p>\n

This comment appeared to upset some staff members, who said their work did not feel appreciated. One lecturer told the Principal, \u201cstaff are the point… accusing staff of being the problem is unfair, unacceptable and unreasonable, and harms the culture here.\u201d<\/p>\n

Prof Pete responded, \u201cI refute what has just been said.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Professor
Professor Pete Edwards (Source: University of Aberdeen)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Despite numerous and persistent requests, The Gaudie<\/i> has been unable to interview the Principal since his appointment in November.<\/p>\n

Campus commercialisation discussed<\/b><\/p>\n

An overview of the university\u2019s finances and its challenges was presented by chief financial officer Mark White who pointed out that 47% of Scottish universities are currently projecting deficits.<\/p>\n

The mantra \u201cconsolidate, commercialise, decarbonise\u201d was repeated as the institution’s strategy to resolve underperforming finances. Information on student recruitment and research funding was shared, but many of the meeting\u2019s participants were evidently keen to interrogate revenue generation through commercialisation.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe finances seem to park income at student numbers,\u201d observed one participant, asking, \u201cWhere was revenue generation lost historically and how much money will new initiatives make?\u201d<\/p>\n

Mr White blamed Covid, among other factors, for historic problems in generating university revenue through commercialisation.<\/p>\n

Estates director Morag Beers highlighted recent initiatives to boost effective use of services on university-owned land and property. She presented how leasing university spaces to external partners, such as the Greens shop at Hillhead student village<\/a> and the new operator of MacRobert caf\u00e9, aims to cut losses.<\/p>\n

A recent move to generate revenue includes the university’s new \u2018The Wee Shop\u2019,<\/a> opened as a gift retailer on High Street. It aims to make money by selling sweets and branded souvenirs to students and visitors alike.<\/p>\n

In the near future, university bosses aim to make more plans to make money from tourists including a visitor centre and a whisky shop. This comes after pleas<\/a> by staff members to monetise tourism on campus.<\/p>\n

\"University
University of Aberdeen campus (Photo: Klaudia Mazur)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Looking forward, presented plans included transforming the Principal\u2019s official accommodation at Chanonry Lodge into a reception space for dinners and events as Prof Edwards has chosen not to reside<\/a> at the property.<\/p>\n

Plans for \u2018Reimagining the Campus\u2019 as part of the Aberdeen 2040 strategy were also presented. Approved actions include reintroducing a university presence in the city centre at Marischal College, \u2018King\u2019s Innovation Quarter Hub\u2019 which will aim to utilise unused property, \u2018Labs for the Future\u2019, and transformation of the MacRobert Building and its Business School.<\/p>\n

Beyond the futuristic imagery and language of innovation, some staff members told The Gaudie<\/i> they left with frustrations, disillusionment and questions about the university\u2019s plans for the future.<\/p>\n

\u2018Adapting for Continues Success\u2019 fears<\/b><\/p>\n

Professor Edwards presented the controversial Adapting for Continued Success programme<\/a> at the meeting, stating the 12-school structure was \u201cfinancially fragile\u201d with a \u201cgap between central administration and heads of school\u201d.<\/p>\n

The names of the proposed school faculties are illustrative and could be renamed. At present, the four school faculties are planned as such:<\/p>\n