On 15th April 2026, more than 400 members of the University community gathered at a joint union meeting to consider the motion below. The motion passed overwhelmingly, with 97% voting in favour. Only 2 votes expressed confidence in the current leadership of the University.
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VOTE OF NO CONFIDENCE:
This ballot will ascertain the degree to which University of Essex staff agrees with a Vote of No Confidence in the Vice Chancellor and/or the Executive Committee, on the following grounds:
REASONS FOR NO CONFIDENCE:
- No business case for the Southend campus closure, and refusal to meet with, or offer up running cost details to, Southend-on-Sea City Council and local investors.
- Inconsistencies in staff numbers presented to the unions as the basis against which cuts are being made.
- Significant inconsistencies, inequalities and errors made throughout in communication and information provided to staff, including staff being told they are out of the ‘at risk’ pool in error and management missing multiple timelines for providing information.
- Lack of meaningful consultation and transparency throughout with repeated violations of ACAS best practice recommendations for a fair and genuine consultation, including the pre-determined decision to close the Southend campus and the VC’s lack of participation in collective consultations, including her refusal to MP’s requests to discuss the Southend closure, which have been a key constraint to making progress.
- Selection and pooling process for compulsory redundancies that are variable between departments and the lack of transparency regarding these.
- Going directly against Essex’s founding principles, allowing low-income, working-class students the opportunity to access higher education, by targeting Pathways for heavy cuts and closing the Southend campus where a high proportion of students are from local, low-income families.
- Failure to consult with trade unions over the sudden announcement of the February 2025 pay award deferral, as required under the collective bargaining agreement written into staff employment contracts.
- Failure of transparency and accountability over the CAS crisis and UKVI sanctions, partly responsible for the current financial situation.
WHAT WE HOPE TO ACHIEVE:
- The resignation of the Vice Chancellor, Frances Bowen, and an apology and full accountability from the senior management team.
- The re-opening of the consultation process, including full consultation over the proposed closure of Southend, in line with ACAS best practice recommendations for a fair and genuine consultation.
- Halting the compulsory redundancy process due to the errors and failure of consultation made throughout the process.
- The option provided for the revocation of signed redundancy contracts for staff who believe they have been forced into taking voluntary redundancy as a direct consequence of errors made throughout the process, including the pre-determined decision to close the Southend campus.
- Financial disclosure of Southend campus running costs to the Southend-on-Sea City Council and investors.