INTO the black? Why the Student Union opposes plans with INTO

Goldsmiths has a fantastic reputation. It’s been hard-won and our status as one of Europe’s leading creative universities reverberates around the globe attracting international talent. A deal with private company INTO would be against everything Goldsmiths stands for. Education and the development of thinking and creativity of our students should come first, not second to profit margins. But aside from an ethical view point, here’s why the Students’ Union believes plans with prviate company INTO would be terrible for Goldsmiths:

The 500 students INTO promise to deliver onto our campus would be taught English at a much lower standard than our current Language Department offers. The staff in our Language Department have not been told if their jobs would be secure if a deal with INTO were to be struck. INTO then promises a 65% conversion rate into the host university (i.e Goldsmiths) and that’s how senior management are hoping to make some cash. There are however a few drawbacks to that plan:

1) INTO are rumoured to be in over 1 million pounds worth of debt. If they sink, they’d take Goldsmiths with them.

2) INTO teach international students to a lower standard of English than in our Language Department. This could seriously harm the international reputation of Goldsmiths if it becomes known that Goldsmiths offers sub-standard language learning. Apart from ripping off the students being taught by INTO of course, our association with a company like them doesn't look good.

3) At UWE and Newcastle, their Student Union has reported students feeling alienated on campus due to being taught separately from all the other students. They’ve also said plagiarism levels and drop-out records have sky-rocketed due to students not being able to cope with the host universities course demands. This isn’t their fault, but the fault of INTO for providing inadequate education.

The Student Union encourages and celebrates the international atmosphere here at Goldsmiths, but we condemn exploiting international students on the basis of them paying astronomical fees for sub-standard INTO education.

This is PFI (private finance initiative) at its worst, and could seriously damage the reputation, students and staff at Goldsmiths. We’re encouraging students to vote NO in this referendum, go to this link to vote:

http://www.ucu.org.uk/saynotointo

So the situation seems clear, certainly the case against. Senior management are currently keeping quiet about INTOs proposals or whether they’re hoping to sign a long the dotted line anytime soon. Given that ‘lack of space’ is one of the reasons management give for refusing to build a new nursery, the idea of selling land off to INTO seems crazy.

Come a long to the Goldsmiths Not For Profit meeting on the 22^nd of October at 5pm, in The Stretch (top floor of the Student Union) to discuss issues regarding INTO, the nursery and Scolarest and how we take the campaign forward.

For more information see Goldsmiths United Against INTO and 'INTO in their own words':

http://www.ucu.org.uk/media/pdf/l/k/goldsmithsagainstinto.pdf

http://www.ucu.org.uk/media/pdf/l/j/into_theirownwords_sep08.pdf>