Dozens of students have rallied in protest against possible budget cuts amid their Principal’s “outrageous” pay increase.
The Aberdeen University Student Association (AUSA) organised the march amid severe cutbacks at other institutions including Strathclyde University.
Students are also angry at a decision to award outgoing Principal Sir Duncan Rice a 17% pay rise during the recession.
AUSA Student President Robin Parker said: “Here in Aberdeen we have the highest paid Principal in Scotland.
“Whilst Sir Duncan Rice has been with the university a long time and while he’s been here it’s really moved up a gear, I think his pay increase – which was 17% last year during a time when we’re in a recession when plenty of people are seeing cuts to their wage packets - I think a 17% increase is pretty outrageous.
“He’s contributed a lot to the university but I still don’t think that makes it justifiable for a 17% increase during a recession.”
IN DETAIL
Mr Parker said students were taking action in order to get certain assurances from the university.
A guarantee of no funding cuts to student courses and services is being sought as well as a more vocal stance against the introduction of tuition fees.
Mr Parker said: “We’ve heard nothing in favour or against from this university and we want them to come out publicly against tuition fees.
“What has brought it to a head are the things happening in other parts of the country – particularly in England where there have been course closures at the likes of Brighton and Leeds.
“We’ve seen a cut to the number of teaching places that the university has been running – though that’s really been enforced on the university by central government. But there will be a 50% cut in the number of teaching places next year.
Although tuition fees and cutbacks seem only to be an issue south of the border currently, Mr Parker says it could soon be a major concern for those studying in Scotland.
“If England uses the tuition fee review as an excuse to increase tuition fees and decrease the government spend then that will be passed onto the Scottish Government and that will be passed onto the university.
“I don’t see why a university that relies heavily on government funding isn’t doing more to cement its case for its importance not only in the local region but nationally as well.
Around 1,500 students have signed a petition calling for the guarantees to be made.
