Author: L Scott Blankenship

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UCU report on the use of SSR in Phase 2 Rightsizing – critical modelling results and implications for institutional risk

Full report on “rightsizing” and SSR

This report was shared with council and UEB members in response to the University’s use of Student–Staff Ratio (SSR) as the central tool for “rightsizing” in Phase 2 of Future Nottingham.

The analysis reflects input from specialist data staff within the University and includes dedicated mathematical modelling conducted by academic experts. We want to highlight several findings of immediate relevance to Council’s oversight of institutional risk.

1. SSR is not an appropriate rightsizing metric.

It is a crude headcount ratio that does not reflect real teaching capacity, discipline-specific demands, accreditation requirements, or research commitments. Applying a blanket SSR target of 18–22 would severely damage laboratory-based and research-intensive subjects and move several Schools outside the norms of any research-intensive comparator group.

2. Our modelling shows severe impacts on international rankings.

Using two independent approaches,  we find that raising SSR to around 20 would drop Nottingham by roughly 25 places in the QS World Rankings, taking the University from 97th to around 122nd, even under the most conservative assumptions.

A sector-wide shift does not protect Nottingham: even if all UK institutions moved to SSR 20, Nottingham still falls to around 120th—a mitigation of only two places.

These results already assume minimal negative effects and include modelling of peer stabilisation favoured by QS. More realistic models, which account for reduced research time and consequent decline in citations and reputation, show substantially worse outcomes over time. 

3. National rankings are similarly affected.

We project a fall from 51st in the Guardian league table to roughly 74–119, depending on SSR level and the extent of knock-on effects on teaching satisfaction, continuation and career outcomes.

4. Raising tariffs cannot offset these declines.

To maintain our current Guardian position while increasing SSR, average entry tariff would need to rise to around 200–210 points—higher than those of the most selective universities in the UK. This is not achievable in Nottingham’s recruitment market.

Using SSR as the primary instrument for rightsizing is worrying. The risks to the University’s research profile, student experience, domestic competitiveness and—in particular—international reputation and recruitment are extremely high. We strongly recommend that SSR not be used as a sizing tool without a full, institutionally led modelling exercise of the reputational and financial consequences.

Of course, we are happy to discuss this further and to share the data files and scripts used in the modelling.

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Fight backs and picket line info

Email sent to members on Thursday 6th November 2025

Dear Members

I am sure you are all reeling with the list of degree suspensions announced yesterday (5 Nov) in staff intranet and puzzling on the rationale given, the lack of stake holder engagements (us or Heads of Schools) and the choices of degrees that makes us who we are: a global comprehensive higher education institution of excellence. We were called to a FN2 Workstreams meeting JNCC on Tuesday 4 Nov, where the Pro-VCs gave us the list of ear-marked degrees for suspension/closures from each Faculty. We were aghast at the choices, which included Music, Languages, Mental Health Nursing Programmes , ACS, Biosciences degrees, to name but a few. UEB will send this off to OFS (?) on Monday, and also will present to Council to approve, along with the Case for Strategic change (which will address reduction in  staff numbers) on November 24 and 25.  For the latter, please find below a link to an Open Letter from all staff that we will send to Council. Please Do sign. There has been significant interest by the media in the closure of degree programmes at UoN. Below is an article on the BBC and the Times Higher as well as BBC East Midlands Today have also been in touch. Watch that space.

BTW The business case for FN2 still is not ready we were told. It will be sent to us in Feb 2026. (So we have time yet to oppose). 

Meanwhile, we have been invited to a Dispute resolution Meeting next week, on 11 November 2025.  We will report back straight after, should management make an offer to settle the dispute. In any case, we will have a members meeting next Thursday, 13 November at 1 p.m. We will send the respective Zoom details closer to the time. 

In the meantime, we have scheduled a picket line on West Entrance on Monday 10th November, 8:30 to 11:30 am. Please do come, in large numbers, show our strength, our solidarity and our opposition to the proposed changes: both the suspensions and the planned shrinkage of schools from 26 to 10, including the speed of all this, given UEB wants it done and dusted by September 2026. There may be press, given the interest shown. The remainder of the fortnight for November has the normal IA. 

We also have a picket line on Tuesday 18 November, South Entrance.  We have already written to you about the picket line and rallies on 24 and 25 November, when Council will deliberate.  We will have external guests then, which will include the President of UCU.  

Until then, solidarity, do feed us your views via reps or branch email, so we can compile our own alternative business case.

Solidarity, 

Lopa (on behalf of branch committee).

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSemWcHUUGk36TNaSeT5nEY2z-HINgZhFBycV_imAj3-YUgqTA/viewform     Open letter for signing. 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cly9zwqvn53o

https://www.timeshighereducation.com/news/major-universities-facing-weeks-long-strikes-job-cuts-deepen

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Update of members meeting

Email sent on Friday 31st October 2025

Dear members,

Thanks so much to all of you who could make the meeting yesterday – it has been lovely to see so many people, and to get all your input. As this was a teaching week, we know a number of people were unable to attend. So we wanted to recap on some of the key topics covered.

Meetings with management

In the last week we have had multiple meetings with management. These have included ‘lessons learned from phase 1’ and several Joint Negotiation and Consultation Committee meetings on a range of issues. Next week we will also have a new workstream meeting to discuss Phase 2. Beyond this we are finalising the date for our next dispute resolution meeting with the VC. So we just want to emphasise we are doing all we can to find a resolution, including meeting with local MPs and the Student Union.

Pressure is working

The dispute resolution meeting is only possible because of you. Both your overwhelming rejection of the previous ‘offer’ from management and your continued action. We now know that the pressure is starting to bite and the reality of such significant disruption this semester is worrying them. In particular we are starting to see increasingly underhand and unprecedented methods to ‘mitigate’ the impacts of your action. This includes forms asking us to fill in which days we will be taking action in the future. Under no circumstances should you fill these in. Make no mistake this is all testament to the fact that our strategy is working.

Assessments and marking

In particular this attempted mitigation is around assessments and  we will be issuing updated FAQs on how to respond to requests from line managers, so do keep an eye out for this. Similarly, as marking starts to come in remember we are also on ASOS and look after yourself. Only mark within working hours, and if you receive a request to turn around specific marking more quickly ask explicitly what other tasks you should de-prioritise in order to get this done. Again, we will be updating our FAQs with specific marking advice soon.

Pay deductions and financial support

Pay deductions have now started to come through. Following incorrect deductions from the July action we have made sure these are now corrected, but do check your payslip just in case. We have also requested clear FAQs on how calculations are made and presented on pay slips as they can be quite confusing, and we will be seeking clarity on pension contributions. But again, if you have any concerns let us know. 

You can now claim from the national fighting fund, and you received info on our  local hardship support yesterday in an email from our Treasurer Tony Padilla.

National picture

The ballot is open for the national dispute. Do please vote in this and let your rep know when you have done so. If you have any photos of you posting your vote (ideally with dogs or/and babies included) send them our way! Following on from Jo Grady’s visit to our rally last week we have also been receiving more national coverage, and our wonderful Lopa and Jenny spoke last night at a UCU event ( https://www.youtube.com/live/NynAXduQCC8) with over 1300 attendees. Finally there is a national demo on the 12th November starting from Leicester train station at 11am. Members of the branch will be getting the train at 10.12 from town (or 10.18 from Beeston) so do please come along.

Strike plans

Finally, while we remain hopeful negotiations will be successful we need to be ready to carry out the next round of action in order to get the best deal we can. So to recap, we have the following strike action coming up.

10-14th November

17-21st November

24-25th November – Council days and mass pickets

1-5th December

8-12th December

The 24th and 25th of November are especially important as they are when Council will be signing off the Strategic Case for Change and other decisions for the Phase 2 restructure. So these are days where we expect all members to strike and attend picket lines and rallies. We will have the media and other speakers present. On the other weeks, we of course encourage you to strike on as many days as you can afford, but do continue to prioritise days where your absence will be disruptive. It remains important to threaten taking out whole modules wherever possible. 

Following feedback from members we will also be having weekly pickets to build solidarity and maintain collective morale. We will start with one of these on the 10th of November to get our action off with a bang. More details will follow soon.

As always, look after yourself and please do let us know if you have any questions or concerns about anything.

In solidarity as always,

Nick (on behalf of branch Committee)

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UCU Hardship Fund – Donations and Applications

Email sent to members on Thursday 30th October

Dear members,

Thank you for your continued solidarity and commitment throughout this period of industrial action. Our collective strength depends not only on participation but also on mutual support — ensuring that those most affected by pay deductions can continue to take part.

Maintaining a strong hardship fund is essential to sustaining effective action and sharing the financial burden fairly across the branch.

We recommend you save this email for future reference.

Hardship Fund Donations

Many members have chosen to focus strike activity on high-impact days while working on others. If you are not striking every day, we strongly encourage you to donate at least a quarter of your salary for the days you are working.

These donations directly support colleagues with heavy teaching or administrative workloads who are striking more frequently — helping everyone to stay the course.

To donate:
UCU Nottingham LA63 Hardship Fund
Account number: 20346359
Sort code: 60-83-01
Reference: Autumn 2025

Every contribution, no matter the size, strengthens our collective position and ensures no member is left behind.

Hardship Fund Applications

Once you have payslips showing strike-related deductions, you can apply for support from both the national UCU fighting fund and the local branch hardship fund.

National UCU Fighting Fund

Members can claim for up to 8 days of strike action:

  • £75/day for salaries under £30,000
  • £50/day for salaries over £30,000

Please note:

  • The cap applies to the entire dispute, including the July action.
  • Members cannot claim for the first three days of strike action.
  • You must apply to the national fund first before applying to the local fund.

Details on how to apply to the national fighting fund can be found here. 

Local UCU Hardship Fund

Thanks to the generosity of members and other branches, we are happy to report that we can offer members support at a rate similar to the national fund (which is obviously much better resourced!).

We will offer:

  • Up to £50 per day, capped at £600 total,
  • Covering the 42 days of action this term (Sep-Dec 2025).

Eligibility:

  • Members applying after the first phase ending on Friday 24 October must show deductions for at least 12 of the first 20 days.
  • Members applying after the second phase ending on Friday 12 December must show deductions for at least 20 of the 42 total days.
  • For part-time staff, both the required strike days and the cap are pro-rated.

Important:

  • Funds are limited and will be allocated for as long the resources last
  • Please only claim what you need, so we can prioritise members in greatest hardship.
  • Priority will be given to those facing the most acute financial pressure.

To apply to the local fund:
Fill out this google form. To do so, you will need:

  1. Copies of the relevant payslips showing strike deductions.
  2. Evidence that you have already applied to the national fund.
  3. Confirmation that you have struck for more than the required threshold for hardship applications
  4. Details of the bank account you wish to be credited.

Applications will be reviewed by a small team from the branch committee, including Tony Padilla (Treasurer) and Kitty Howarth (Branch Organiser).

Members with acute financial needs can request an immediate loan of up to £300 ahead of a full decision — please email the branch at uonucubranch@gmail.com and mark your email “Loan request.”

In exceptional cases of extreme hardship, additional funds or flexible payment arrangements may be considered — please include full details and justification in your application.

Thank you for your continued solidarity. Every donation and every act of mutual support helps to sustain our collective strength.

In solidarity, 

Tony Padilla

UoNUCU Branch Treasurer

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Challenging UoN complicity in enabling genocide!

Email sent to members on Monday 27th October

Dear all,

    Together with students from the Nottingham Camp for the Liberation of Palestine (NCLP), UCU has organised an open in-person event on what staff, students and wider society can do to challenge the University of Nottingham’s complicity in enabling genocide in Palestine. The event will take place on Wednesday, 29th October 2025 1-4 pm in Room B63, Law and Social Sciences Building, University Park. See below for further details. All are welcome!

Best,

                      Andreas (on behalf of the UCU Committee)