Letter on INTO (October 2008)

Dear Geoff,

You may be aware that the staff and student unions organized a referendum open to everyone in the College on the issue of the potential partnership between Goldsmiths and INTO. I have attached the full results for your information and you will see that they indicate overwhelming opposition to any such deal. For example, not a single member of staff (out of 279 who took part) thought that a joint venture with INTO would enhance the reputation of the College while only 3 out of 485 students suggested that the College’s academic reputation would be improved through a joint venture.

Given the strong feeling expressed in the referendum, I urge you to break off discussions with INTO and to explore other, in-house strategies for increasing international recruitment for the long-term benefit of the College. I understand that you have still not received formal proposals from INTO and I am concerned that while you are waiting for these proposals, the College is unable to move forward with considering other, more productive options.

I look forward to your response.

Best wishes
Des

Des Freedman
President Goldsmiths UCU
Goldsmiths, University of London
New Cross
London SE14 6NW