University may close campus in Hull to cut costs

HIGHER education in Hull is facing a setback after a university revealed it was considering severing its 150-year link with the city.

Lincoln University said it may close its campus in George Street, Hull, in the face of spending cuts because the building requires "significant investment" to bring it up to standard.

It has begun consulting unions, students and staff over the future of the site and is considering a number of options.

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If the campus does close the university will continue teaching the current intake of students in Hull until the completion of their courses in 2013.

The campus, which is based at the Derek Crothall building, is also home to 20 academic staff and 23 professional services staff, and their future is less certain.

The university said the alternatives include reducing the amount of space it uses so it could rent out the rest of the eight-storey building, or renting new premises in the city.

It currently teaches social work and HR management courses in Hull, and the university said it was too early to say whether these would be continued after any closure in 2013.

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There are 527 undergraduate students and 169 postgraduate students based at the Hull campus.

University spokesman Ian Richards said: "The University of Lincoln is looking at a range of options on how best to respond to the cuts facing the higher education sector.

"As part of this it has opened a consultation on the future of the Hull Campus. The options outlined are a considered response and will not result in any immediate changes in the provision at Hull.

"Whatever is decided, all current students will be taught out in Hull."

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The Derek Crothall building has had a series of upgrades and refurbishments, most recently the installation of an air conditioning system and work to improve the lifts in 2008.

The university was formed in 2001 when it emerged from a partnership with the now defunct Humberside University, and moved its administrative headquarters from Hull to Lincoln.

Humberside University was a former polytechnic which could trace its roots back to the formation of the Hull School of Art in 1861.