Wednesday, November 11, 2009

MORE CUTS LOOMING: Although the dismantling of the biblical studies program at the University of Sheffield has been averted, serious new staff cuts are now looming at the Humanities Department at the University of Gloucestershire. Indeed, my understanding is that quite a few staff are facing redundancy, one of them being New Testament scholar Lloyd Pietersen, who is very well known in British New Testament studies circles. Mark Goodacre, Helen Ingram, and Simon Wood have said what needs to be said and I let their eloquence speak for itself. These short-sighted moves for short-term gains need to be resisted and the institutions that undertake them need to be reminded vigorously that such decisions have a grave cost not only in staff morale, but in reputation and (as a result of both) student recruitment. I hope the University of Gloucestershire will reconsider sending itself in what could be a rapid downward tailspin.