A Scots university forked out on almost £1,500 on an initiative to reduce stress through petting animals - but students said their mental health took a downturn following the furry visits.
17.02.2022 - 18:51 / dailyrecord.co.uk
Furious educators at a Scots university have blasted bosses after they said free tea and coffee in staff kitchens was due to be cancelled.
Edinburgh University lecturers slammed the institution following a memo which was issued to staff appearing cite budget constraints as the reason for removing the complimentary drinks.
The belt-tightening moves come amidst last years cash surplus of £61million, which university deans were celebrating.
On Monday February 14 staff at the university kicked off ten days of strikes over a dispute regarding “brutal pension cuts”.
However, frustrated academics have claimed ’petty’ notices were displayed on canteen walls demanding staff bring their own refreshments going forward as a result of the ‘unique financial circumstances the university finds itself in’.
Edinburgh University denied any such action had been taken, report Edinburgh Live.
It comes just months after vice-principal Gavin McLachlan described a “larger than expected surplus” following cuts to pension pots as “fantastic news”.
Laminated sheets of A4 posted in kitchens reserved for use by academic staff earlier this week read: “The University Finance Department has confirmed to all schools that additional extras such as tea and coffee will no longer be available ‘due to the unique financial circumstances we find ourselves in’.
“The School will distribute the items already in cupboards between tea points, but once they are finished colleagues will need to purchase their own provisions if required.”
Headline figures from the university’s end of year report boasted of a £1.18billion income in the 2020/21 period, with £113m retained as “operating surplus for reinvestment”.
Almost half of that, £52m, is restricted as capital grant
A Scots university forked out on almost £1,500 on an initiative to reduce stress through petting animals - but students said their mental health took a downturn following the furry visits.
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