By Gemma Meredith
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City’s new vice-chancellor has been accused of creating a “climate of fear and intimidation” in his current post at Bournemouth University.

Pic: sheffield.ac.uk

It was announced in March that Professor Paul Curran, who has been VC at Bournemouth for five years, will begin at City in August.

News of his departure has been welcomed by the University and College Union at Bournemouth.

A spokesman for the UCU said Prof Curran’s legacy would be a “climate of fear and intimidation which had a devastating impact on staff morale.

“Under Professor Curran 150 staff lost their jobs, students became increasingly critical of teaching arrangements, and employment relations hit an all time low.

“The union believes that Prof Curran’s departure is an ideal opportunity to reverse many of the disastrous changes wrought under his leadership.”

However, Prof Curran has said the changes have increased the university’s “strength, stature and popularity”.

Alan Frost, the university board chairman said: “His leadership has been pivotal in raising the profile of the university nationally and internationally.”

A Bournemouth University (BU) spokesperson said: “Under Prof Curran’s leadership, an environment has been created at BU where staff and students are attaining new standards of achievement.”

Despite the university achieving a series of successes, with rises in league tables and high research ratings, the UCU and Bournemouth University students’ union (BUSU) have repeatedly expressed discontent.

In October 2007, BUSU passed a vote of no confidence in Prof Curran. The UCU followed suit in April 2008, delivering a damning 93.4 per cent in favour of the no confidence vote.

Curran’s time at Bournemouth has been plagued by controversy. He caused outrage among staff in 2007 when he criticised the teaching at Bournemouth and suggested it was the university’s coastal location that attracted students to it.

Staff refused to back Curran’s comments. At the time, Kevin Maloney, chair of the Bournemouth UCU said: “This feels like a body blow against us by our own VC.

“Academics here can take criticism, but this is public ridicule. It’s a kick in the teeth for Bournemouth University and coming from the most unexpected source.”

Although BU’s standing in the league tables have improved dramatically, the university has been accused of artificially inflating marks.

In 2008, Professor Paul Buckland won a case for constructive dismissal after resigning in protest when the university overruled his decision to fail students.

Despite failing the initial and re-sit examinations, a senior staff member intervened to award pass marks to 14 students.

Andrew Lack, the honorary secretary of the City University UCU committee said: “We have contacted Bournemouth local branch because we felt we needed to understand their comments. We are prepared for someone with a background of cutting jobs and being more adversarial.”

The president of City UCU, John Saunders, said: “I know nothing about the man. I hope he’s learnt from his experience at Bournemouth and is ready to work willingly with staff in a positive manner.”

On the news of his appointment, Prof Curran said: “This appointment is a unique privilege. I am delighted to be joining an academically strong and distinctive university that has the enviable advantage of being an integral part of a world city.

“It offers me a unique opportunity to work closely with many highly talented staff and students and lead City University London as it takes its place among the world’s leading professional universities.”

Apurv Bagri, pro-chancellor of City, said: “Council is delighted to have appointed a VC with such a successful track record in leadership, management and also in his academic discipline. We look forward to working together with Paul to deliver on a strong vision for City.”