Head of Open University to step down

THE beleaguered head of the Open University has resigned, saying that the institution faces “unprecedented” challenges.

Peter Horrocks, who led the institution for three years, said yesterday that he was standing down as vice-chancellor with “immediate effect”.

The announcement comes just days after an emergency meeting of the university’s court to discuss his future.

The Open University is suffering from a sharp decline in student numbers, and leaked proposals revealed that dozens of courses could be closed down, alongside a major staff redundancy programme. Since tuition fees were trebled in 2012, the number of part-time students has dropped sharply. Last week, academics passed a vote of no confidence in Mr Horrocks,

‘It’s ridiculous that they’re spoken about as teaching when they are writing – that’s not teaching’

after he accused them of “not teaching”. He was already under fire over plans to axe staff and cut courses, but came under fresh attack over his comments about staff. “The people who work here should be bloody well teaching, they should be teaching directly,” he was filmed saying last month.

“It’s ridiculous that they’re spoken about as teaching when they are writing – that’s not teaching. And they used to teach in residential [universities] and this university has allowed central academics to get away with not being teachers for decades.”

The University and College Union said the institution needs someone at the helm who would defend the university and its staff. Earlier this week, The Daily Telegraph revealed how Mr Horrocks broke down in front of staff as he told them: “I’m not a monster … I’m trying to save this place”.