Today is the first of three days of national strike action, and a continuing period of Action Short of a Strike, by members of the University and College Union (UCU). 

Although the industrial action is about issues negotiated nationally, at the University we have been working hard to avoid the action and we continue our constructive dialogue with UCU. We are determined to minimise disruption to students and staff, and to help make the next few days and weeks as smooth as possible for us all. 

I hope that you have been making use of the information for students and for staff on the website which covers the background to the action, what our position is on the various issues and what we’re doing to address them, as well as what the industrial action might mean for you. You will also be able to see the plans we have in place to keep any disruption to a minimum.  

We all want what is best for Kent and all its students and staff. While we might not all share the same views on how to resolve the issues, we have been able to maintain good and constructive relations with our UCU colleagues. I hope this mutual respect is reflected throughout our University over the coming days.   

We will keep you updated with any developments during the period of industrial action.   

Yours sincerely, 

Karen 

Professor Karen Cox | Vice-Chancellor and President