Proper funding, not mergers, will solve universities crisis

You report the new interim chair of the Office for Students, Sir David Behan, as saying that the “golden age” for English universities may be over and advocating mergers or partnerships as a possible means of sustaining the sector (Golden age of English universities could be over, says head of watchdog, 18 August). It would be interesting to know who is advising Sir David. There is substantial scholarly literature on mergers and partnerships in higher education. It shows that – while there may be some immediate savings – in the long run, any savings on duplicated services are offset by the increased costs of managing the larger and more complex organisation.

Really substantial savings can be found only if there are valuable assets that can be disposed of – principally land and buildings. There is also a very real risk of a loss of institutional identity and therefore diversity and choice, as previously quite different providers are brigaded together and some socially vital missions disappear. Finally, no one should underestimate the challenges of relocating students and staff.

Unfortunately, the only solution to the problem is to fund universities properly to provide the valuable public goods that only they can provide.

The long-term strategy of shifting all the costs of teaching on to individual graduates has to be brought to an end.
Prof Roger Brown
Former vice-chancellor, Solent University, Southampton

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