As predicted, the meeting was interesting.
The way it came across to me was yet more spin, reference to the protest and to the article in the Times Higher. Generally it came across as being an atmosphere of fear driven Stalinism. I observed a scripted presentation followed by an inability to answer questions - I later found out that management and HR were to have the meeting to try and produce some answers the questions that afternoon!
It appears that the HoD and HR will have meetings with the remaining staff to outline the role they have identified for them in the new revised structure and to ask whether they think it's what they want to do! It may be that the passengers in the lifeboat do not feel anywhere near safe enough to negotiate on that. Clearly that is a matter for them - though they are making decisions in an undeniably extraordinary university climate.
It also looks as though the internal signatories on the website will receive increased attention - the Dean expressed an interest in why they have chosen to sign the protest. Perhaps unsurprisingly, nobody chose to put their head above the parapet and say anything.
It is only those brave enough to speak out or who are leaving who have thus far been willing to speak the truth. It is not difficult to form the view that the others have succumbed to learned helplessness or more worryingly, support the process.
With reference to the external signatories - it was suggested by management that they have apparently 'succumbed to social influence'.
The Dean stated he had spoken with someone from another University (anon) who had said that (from my memory) 'some people like games and people are using this as an excuse to practice rhetoric'. Then the Dean spoke of people playing with our futures. Perhaps unsuprisingly, whichever way one read the situation, there was no dissent on people playing with our futures!
Anon
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