Birkbeck closes physics
The closure of the Physics department at Birkbeck College is imminent according to Michael de Podesta, one of the lecturers in physics. Birkbeck College, a collegeof the University of London, is primarily a night-school who’s long-term future is uncertain due to its lack of funding.
The total spending of Birkbeck is approximately Ł33m of which around Ł20m is spent on the academic departments and the rest on overheads including the administration, registry and various publications. Projections of the College’s budget indicate that without the Physics department, Birkbeck will break even next academic year, but will be in debt from then onwards with an estimated debt of Ł2m by the year 2000. One member of staff stated the feeling in the physics department was one of "despondency".
The shortfall in funding is mainly caused by an increase in expenditure from academic salaries without a corresponding increase in funding. At present the department costs an estimated Ł1m to run each year, but only Ł500,000 is available to fund it. Further cuts are to be made by amalgamating several departments. Of the 8 academic staff in the department, UCL proposes to take on four, the remainder are to be laid off . The four staff are likely to move into the new Condensed Matter group at UCL.
The academic board has recently recommended the closure of the physics department as long as there are "sufficient safeguards for student interests". However, it is the responsibility of the governors to finally decide whether the department is to go, but this is expected to be a formality.
Despite the problems involved, the outlook for the students is less serious. University College, which already works closely with Birkbeck has agreed to take over the present undergraduates, offering a two-streamed approach to the physics courses, with new Birkbeck students essentially following the UCL physics courses. Current second and third years will be able to continue their present courses, but the first will be required to change their approach. It is not clear where, in future, the lectures will take place, and the viability of science at Birkbeck is in serious doubt.
Birkbeck College offers a unique place in the University of London and doubt about its future means there will be a further gap in Higher Education provision. As funding for courses and living costs becoming ever more difficult for students to meet, Birkbeck enables people with commitment to obtain a degree whilst earning their living during the day. That Birkbeck has no firm assurance of a future implies that even fewer students will be able to obtain a degree and the shortage of suitably-trained graduates in the workplace will become even more acute
