UCL students call for provost to go in vote of no confidence

12 April 2012

Students at a leading London university have passed a vote of no confidence in the man who runs it.

The Students' Union at University College London wants provost Malcolm Grant to step down following his appointment as head of a new NHS Commissioning Board.

Students said Professor Grant is now "complicit in the carving-up of the NHS as a public service".

They also criticised him for delays in introducing the London Living Wage for staff - originally highlighted in a campaign by the Evening Standard.

Michael Chessum, who proposed the no confidence motion, said Professor Grant's appointment as NHS commissioning board chairman was the final straw for students who were already angry about the low wages of some UCL staff. He said: "Cleaners have received a single 50p pay increment. Slightly increased poverty pay is still poverty pay."

Luke Durigan, UCL Union's education and campaigns officer, said it was the first time the union had passed a motion of no confidence in a provost.

A spokeswoman for UCL said: "Students are entirely with their rights to express their opinions and vote on them - this is an institution that encourages vigorous debate.

"We don't believe that this vote necessarily reflects majority opinion among the student body at UCL - many students were unable to get into the meeting, and UCL Union, in line with the wishes of its Council, is now in the process of organising a vote that will enable all students to express a view.

"UCL continues to be widely recognised as a thriving and popular institution, and one that students both in the UK and beyond want to come to. We believe that this will remain the case

"The motion makes specific reference to Malcolm Grant's recent appointment as chair of the NHS Commissioning Board. As an institution at the forefront of UK medicine, UCL must fulfil its leadership role as it does through its research contributions, innovation in education and training and through the excellent care given by its partner NHS institutions.

"It must also lead the development and implementation of national healthcare policy. Malcolm Grant's appointment as Chairman of the NHS Commissioning Board, a position leading a new arm's length body independent of government, is part of our institution's national commitment and warmly supported by the university's Senior Management Team."

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