Dear Vice Chancellor (Cc the Provost)

We are writing this open letter as a resolution of a motion (appended to the end of this letter for reference) passed by members at a UCU Surrey branch meeting on 27th November 2023. It regards the very abrupt action in September 2023 where it was suddenly announced that it would be proposed to move Surrey Space Centre (SSC) to the School of Maths and Physics, followed by a very short consultation period for such a significant decision on course of direction. The rationale was shallow and did not include a detailed long-term plan for how the move would assure SSC’s long term sustainability and growth.

It is clear to us, both among members and many others in the staff body that the manner in which the move has been handled is not to anyone’s approval. This has to be acknowledged and lessons should be learned from such a mistake. We believe that the reasons for the move of SSC have not been made known and are a result of a knee jerk reaction to recent circumstances. Rather a more detailed and wider consultative approach should have been taken to determine why the move would be the best option long term for the research centre over at least the next ten years. This did not take place.

A move as significant as this will have substantial impact on the long term reputation of SSC and Electronic Engineering at the University. It is well known that Surrey has a substantial historical record of space engineering research, with a unique contribution to the space sector that cannot be found at other institutions. This has led to the delivery of our highly successful MSc programme in Space Engineering, and now the recently launched undergraduate programme in Astronautics. However, the success of those cannot be sustained without a clear link to the wide breadth engineering we deliver in the Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences (FEPS).

We ask that by acknowledging the clear errors in this process a mistake of this nature will not be encountered again. Furthermore, we demand the FEPS Executive Board work with members and staff through deeper consultation and negotiation on the best solution for long term sustainability and growth of SSC and other research and teaching activity within the Faculty.

Yours sincerely,

The UCU Surrey Branch

Motion passed on Surrey Space Centre – 27th November 2023

UCU Surrey Notes:

· The proposal to move Surrey Space Centre (SSC) to the School of Maths and Physics was announced in September 2023 with a very short consultation period.
· The rationale was shallow and did not include a detailed long term plan for how the move would assure SSC’s long term sustainability and growth.
· The manner in which the move has been handled is not to anyone’s approval.

UCU Surrey Believes:

· The reasons for the move of SSC have not been made known and are a result of a knee jerk reaction to recent circumstances.
· The move will have substantial impact on the long term reputation of SSC and Electronic Engineering at the University.
· The move will not best support the delivery and development of our courses in Astronautics and Space Engineering at undergraduate and postgraduate level.

UCU Surrey Resolves:

· To form an open letter to the executive board expressing concern about the mishandling of the process.
· To write to the Chair of Council and invite them to a meeting to discuss concerns raised.
· To demand that the FEPS Executive Board work with members and staff through deeper consultation and negotiation on the best solution for long term sustainability and growth of SSC