News

Biblical Studies department threatened with closure

By Rachel Blundy
Published: 09/10/2009

The future of the Biblical Studies department is in doubt after University officials decided that it is no longer academically viable for the purposes of undergraduate study.

A vote was due to take place this week at the University Senate - the decision making body within the University - over whether Biblical Studies, currently the smallest department within the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, should remain open.

Students were only told of the planned vote after being informed by Union President Paul Tobin and Education Officer Holly Taylor.

The Union opposes the closing of the department and many students are left worried while their department’s future is in limbo.

Students protested outside Firth Court on Wednesday and a petition was handed to the Vice Chancellor Keith Burnet at the Senate meeting.

Third year Biblical Studies student, Ben Hinks, led the ‘Save BIBS’ protest.

He said: “We find it difficult that they seem to have arrived at a final decision without asking us. I heard several rumours through the Union box office, the Union Sabbatical Officers and the Bishop of Sheffield, but no one told us directly what was happening.”

The Sheffield University and College Union (UCU) - the trade union which represents staff at the University - threatened to strike if the University proceeded with the ballot, because they argue that “unilateral” action has been taken without their consultation. As a result the vote was postponed.

Sheffield UCU argues that the students and staff of the University of Sheffield, have not been consulted by the University over the decision to close the department.

A spokesman for Sheffield UCU said: “The University of Sheffield is putting its academic reputation on the line if it goes ahead with these plans.

“We should be proud to have the only undergraduate Biblical Studies course in the country, not looking to get rid of it.

“It will be much harder for Sheffield to attract postgraduates if the undergraduate course in Biblical Studies is axed. This decision is not in the interest of students or the University.”

Biblical Studies has only four members of academic staff and one member of professional support staff remaining after the recent staff cuts.

This year the department only admitted eight undergraduate students.

A spokesperson from the University of Sheffield said that the decision to close the department came after a review in March 2009 highlighted a fall in demand for undergraduate places.

Any decision to close the department will not take effect until 2013, to allow current students to complete their degrees.

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