On Monday, 2nd February, around 20 students gathered at FCH for a drop-in session organised by the University and supported by Bianca Holland, Education and Community Officer. The event aimed to discuss the future of the FCH campus with students and get their views as to ‘what should happen next’ with no decisions made about the future of the campus. Conversations, naturally, focussed on the impact of the campus being sold or being retained though the University were keen to reiterate that a range of options are being explored.
The University outlined a rough annual capital budget of £4 million against an estimated £14 million required for essential works at FCH. Attendees questioned whether this financial gap was anticipated during the acquisition of City Campus, which benefited from Levelling Up funding—a source not currently available for FCH. Alternative funding avenues, such as heritage or community grants, were always being explored but remain uncertain.
Students expressed concerns about the potential impact on their academic experience, including the possibility of relocating courses to Park or Pittville campuses, the loss of dedicated office spaces for lecturers, and the broader implications for student support services. The University acknowledged these concerns, noting that while some staff already operate flexibly, maintaining traditional office spaces is increasingly costly.
The session also addressed the need for transparent communication with prospective students, especially regarding the stability of campus locations throughout their studies. The University committed to ongoing updates, with more information expected to be able to be shared by April 2026.
Students advocated for more proactive engagement, suggesting mechanisms like surveys or votes to ensure their voices are heard in decision-making processes. While the University could not commit to a formal vote, it emphasised the importance of student feedback and the role of UoGSU in facilitating these conversations.
This drop-in session is a part of a broader dialogue about the future of FCH. UoGSU remains dedicated to representing student interests and encourages all students to participate in upcoming discussions and feedback opportunities so please keep an eye out for future opportunities, including an online session due to take place on Wednesday 4th February with details available on MyGlos.