Press Releases for 2004
WYE COLLEGE CRISIS: TIME FOR A TAKEOVER, SAY GREENS
6th August 2004The financial and student recruitment crisis of Wye College, at Wye between Ashford and Canterbury, is best addressed by another Higher Education institution taking over Wye College. Imperial College of the University of London has its own financial problems and clearly cannot mount a rescue package. The University of Kent or Canterbury Christchurch College could, if the Government agrees. East Kent Green Party has written to Alan Johnson, Minister for Further and Higher Education, advocating such an approach to Wye College's problems. Steve Dawe comments:
"The proposed closure of the Agricultural Sciences Department at Wye College can only be seen as staff are indicating as beginning a process of closure. This is a tragedy not just for those staff who will lose their jobs, but for Wye as a community. The diversity of shops, pubs and restaurants in Wye is strongly dependent upon Wye College students and staff spending money in Wye. Without the College, there would not only be a significant reduction in local employment, there would be a predictable knock-on effect upon local enterprises some of which would be sure to close. "Greens believe that facilities such as the large number of buildings and land-holdings of Wye College must be effectively used for the benefit of the wider community. We have also made it very clear that we believe Higher Education institutions in close proximity such as the University of Kent and Canterbury Christchurch College should be merged to ensure the best use of public funds and to create larger and more effective University departments. So the condition of Wye College presents a practical test for the Government: will they let it close and sell off purpose-built educational buildings for other purposes, or will they act to ensure the College facilities are retained in Higher Education use. Given the massive expansion of Kent and Christchurch in recent years, and the lack of substantial higher education opportunities in the Ashford area, the Wye College site offers an opportunity to relieve the pressure of Higher Education demands on the housing sector in Canterbury." ENDs c352 words
FURTHER INFORMATION: Steve Dawe, Press Officer, on 01233 645167 or 07904 382203. Contact address: 10 Hillbrow Road, Ashford, Kent TN23 4QH. Steve Dawe was Green Party candidate for Wye in the local elections of 2003 and teaches Environmental Policy, International Development and Sociology for the Open University.
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