[pig]

Originally Posted by All Systems Go

I have taken issue with your initial statement as it essentially based on one university. It's a it like saying

'All families on welfare are flushed with cash, just look at the Royals.'

Do you not agree that Universities in "general" are indeed doing ok. I mean essentially a University regardless of what it does is a business and if you compared it to other businesses I would say that on paper the figures of most universities don't look at all to bad.

I base this on a few things. The increase in fees for home students. The increase in overseas students to British Universities, like you said grants and sponsorship deals with large corporations, money from the government, the increase in students at universities and in general universities paying shit wages to its staff in relation to other institutions across the world (Australia, USA and Canada).

You then made the claim that ALL of the recent spending in Kent came from overseas students (without considering grants, sponsership deals with large corporations etc) with no supporting evidence.

True that was my mistake, but I felt that readers would be able to understand and work out for themselves how and where university income comes from and that I wouldn't have to spell it out in BIG RED LETTERS. I wanted to point out that a substantial amount comes from overseas students.

Now, I'm not saying oveseas students and top-up fees arent bringing in a lot of money

Glad we agree.

But that is not to say the money is desperatly needed in some places. From what I understand Cardiff University Union has several million pounds in the bank, whilst Swansea University are closing entire departments.

I just want to make a quick assertion here. A Union and a University are two different entities. You may have made a simple mistake here. But a Union is funded by the University, it is run by students, for students and it's aim isn't to make profits. In fact Kent Union was in masses of debts a few years ago due to the mickey mouse policies it adopted under its previous management of students. Under the new regime they have capitalised on the fact that they are in a city which lacks clubs and been very smart with how they balance the books.

Cardiff Union I am in no doubt probably doesn't do as well as Cardiff University. The University gives the Union x amount per year and after that it is up to them. If you meant Cardiff Uni as oppose to Cardiff Union I apologise.

Swansea University closing departments may not be an indication of it doing badly financially. Indeed going back to my earlier point, Universities are now businesses. It may make business sense to get rid of certain courses that don't provide enough profit/income to make them viable to run them and instead concentrate/specialise in areas that the university suceeds in and can capitalise on.

I object to you using rich universities as a measurement of all universities especially to support comments which as you admitted, were pulled out of your arse.

Fair enough, but I hope you understand my assertion a bit more.

If you want to call that snide, fine go ahead. I've got no need to get up early.

I wouldn't call it a snide comment, as you put thought into and replied with an answer suitbale to begin calling this a debate. I applaud you. I welcome your reply.