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Alumni threaten to revoke £2m donations in University of Bristol welfare row
A proposed overhaul of the pastoral system at the University of Bristol has been met with mounting criticism from students and staff. Now, alumni of the university have added their voices to the fight, revoking at least £2m of donations in wills.
“I’m very concerned by the pastoral review proposals,” one alumnus told student newspaper Epigram.
“The blatant attempt to save costs and centralise leaves one speechless. If implemented, I believe this will be very harmful to students. I believe it is wrong to give money when you no longer have confidence and trust that it will be spent properly.”
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The changes to the halls of residence system would cut remove traditional posts including wardens and deputy wardens in favour of a ‘hub’ system that the university say will improve support for students.
The number of live-in peer advisors, known as senior residents, will be cut and those remaining will no longer have their rent subsidised.
Current senior residents wrote an open letter to Simon Bray, the university’s director of residential and hospitality services, detailing objections to the proposals.
“We feel that these changes will put incoming Bristol students at high risk during their first year, and community life in halls will seem impersonal, isolated, and lonely,” they wrote.
Wills Hall is one of the university residences that would be affected by the changes
High-profile alumni of the university include former head of MI5 Jonathon Evans, breakfast television presenter Susanna Reid and Albert II, Prince of Monaco.
A University of Bristol spokesperson said: “The University values the generous philanthropic support of our alumni and friends which helps to ensure our students continue to receive a world class, innovative and inclusive education experience.
“Some alumni choose to pledge their support through gifts in wills and our specialist legacy team works closely with prospective supporters and donors. We are not currently aware of any legacy pledges that have been changed as a result of the proposals for the Residential Life Service model currently being consulted upon.
“However we have recently been made aware that some alumni, who we understand intend to leave a legacy gift, have indicated to others their intention to change their wills. We would invite anyone in that position to contact our legacy team to discuss any concerns in confidence.”
The consultation on the proposed welfare changes has been extended to Friday, February 9, with the news coming only a matter of days after a third year law student completed suicide – the seventh to have taken their own life in less than 18 months.
The university has publicly urged students to take advantage of the support services available to them following the tragedy.
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