\n Edinburgh University staff are in the midst of a marking boycott. (Image: Gordon Terris)\n<\/p>\n
\n The row over job cuts has deepened tensions on campus, and UCU members are currently involved in a marking and assessment boycott, refusing to mark papers or invigilate exams.\n<\/p>\n
\n Senators say they are legally entitled to heavily scrutinise plans to restructure the university\u2019s three colleges<\/a> and 25 schools.\n<\/p>\n \n The academic body contends that some aspects of the programme fall under their remit, which is limited to academic and research issues. As a result, they have argued that Senate must be involved in a detailed \u201coversight and approval process\u201d.\n<\/p>\n \n However, university managers have said that the restructuring work is solely administrative and financial in nature, and as such, Senate \u201chas no responsibility or remit to approve the work\u201d.\n<\/p>\n \n \u201cThe University’s Academic Size and Shape work is not a matter of regulating or superintending the teaching or discipline of the University, nor of promoting research,\u201d correspondence sent to senators and viewed by The Herald states.\n<\/p>\n \n \u201cIt is rather a strategic assessment of required capacity and prioritisation to deliver the institution’s mission and strategic goals sustainably, now and in the future.\u201d\n<\/p>\n \n A summary of the proposals was presented to a Senate meeting in March, sparking a \u201clively discussion\u201d.\n<\/p>\n \n However, academics have \u201cexpressed disapproval\u201d in university management\u2019s failure to provide up-to-date information relating to the programme.\n<\/p>\n \n At a meeting in December 2025, Senate voted to request \u201call past agendas, papers, and minutes\u2026 from appropriate responsible parties\u201d.\n<\/p>\n \n Yet, as of the meeting in late April, that information had not been provided and no explanation had been provided for the delay.\n<\/p>\n \n \n A paper submitted before the special meeting sums up the position of many Senators.\n<\/p>\n \n It reads: \u201cThe Executive have contended that the work of the Academic Size and Shape project falls outside Senate’s remit.\n<\/p>\n \n \u201cHowever, a lack of transparency \u2013 both in terms of the outstanding request for information from Senate’s 10 December 2025 meeting, and the absence of a governance plan from Court<\/a>\/Executive \u2013 prevents Senate from independently verifying this claim. Without the requested information, Senate cannot fulfil its statutory responsibility.\u201d\n<\/p>\n \n Senators claim that a number of topics featured in the programme summary fall under their remit; including items on curriculum, course structure, and promotion of research.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n \n They are particularly concerned about how potential changes to teaching workloads<\/a> and structures could limit research capacity.\u00a0\n<\/p>\nSir Peter Mathieson (Image: Supplied)\n<\/p>\n