Chamber
Plenary, 15 Feb 2007
15 Feb 2007 · S2 · Plenary
Item of business
Crichton University Campus
Early in the Parliament's first session, I had the honour and great pleasure to take part in an environmental symposium at Crichton College. I kept up that relationship during my first four years in the Parliament, before my friend and colleague Chris Ballance was elected as a representative for the South of Scotland. I was thoroughly impressed with the atmosphere on the campus, the students' commitment to their studies and the concept of a university in the south of Scotland, which is what the Crichton is—it is not a campus; it performs all the functions of a university.
We do not need to defend the Crichton campus simply on the basis of the contribution that it makes to the local economy. In fact, its contribution to social capital and to the social economy of Dumfries and Galloway is even more important than its contribution to the rest of the economy. That is why the comment by the head of the Scottish funding council is so unacceptable and appalling. It undervalues the huge contribution that the Crichton campus is beginning to make to the social economy in the area and it demonstrates a small-minded, materialist, consumerist attitude to education that flies in the face of five centuries of Scottish liberal educational tradition. The head of the Scottish funding council deserves to be thoroughly told off for expressing himself in such a way.
If I had been elected rector of the University of Glasgow rather than rector of the University of Aberdeen, I would have resigned on the spot following the senate's decision, which was precipitate and unacceptable. All that I can say to the minister is that I hope that it is within the limits of what the Executive can do to work towards resolving the crisis that the Crichton campus faces before it gets any worse. Enough damage has already been done to the Scottish funding council—as a result of the opinions that have been expressed—and to the reputation of the University of Glasgow.
We do not need to defend the Crichton campus simply on the basis of the contribution that it makes to the local economy. In fact, its contribution to social capital and to the social economy of Dumfries and Galloway is even more important than its contribution to the rest of the economy. That is why the comment by the head of the Scottish funding council is so unacceptable and appalling. It undervalues the huge contribution that the Crichton campus is beginning to make to the social economy in the area and it demonstrates a small-minded, materialist, consumerist attitude to education that flies in the face of five centuries of Scottish liberal educational tradition. The head of the Scottish funding council deserves to be thoroughly told off for expressing himself in such a way.
If I had been elected rector of the University of Glasgow rather than rector of the University of Aberdeen, I would have resigned on the spot following the senate's decision, which was precipitate and unacceptable. All that I can say to the minister is that I hope that it is within the limits of what the Executive can do to work towards resolving the crisis that the Crichton campus faces before it gets any worse. Enough damage has already been done to the Scottish funding council—as a result of the opinions that have been expressed—and to the reputation of the University of Glasgow.
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Trish Godman):
Lab
The final item of business today is a members' business debate on motion S2M-5444, in the name of Elaine Murray, on the threat to the Crichton campus in Dumf...
Motion debated,
That the Parliament recognises and applauds the success of the Crichton university campus in Dumfries over the past seven years and the contribution made by ...
Dr Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab):
Lab
I welcome the group of stakeholders who are in the public gallery. They comprise students, staff, the chief executive of Dumfries and Galloway Council, and p...
The Deputy Presiding Officer:
Lab
Before we move to the open debate, I remind those in the public gallery that it is not appropriate for them to applaud.
Alasdair Morgan (South of Scotland) (SNP):
SNP
I am glad that Elaine Murray has secured a debate on a topic that is of such vital importance to the future of the south-west of Scotland. As time is very br...
Alex Fergusson (Galloway and Upper Nithsdale) (Con):
Con
I congratulate Elaine Murray on lodging the motion and I echo her warm welcome to those who have made the journey up from the south-west for the debate.Let u...
Chris Ballance (South of Scotland) (Green):
Green
I congratulate Elaine Murray on securing this important debate. Indeed, the debate on the threat to the Crichton campus is currently the most important debat...
Ms Rosemary Byrne (South of Scotland) (Sol):
Sol
I thank Elaine Murray for securing the debate. I also acknowledge and thank the number of people who have come along today. I think that we would all agree t...
Fiona Hyslop (Lothians) (SNP):
SNP
I thank Elaine Murray for bringing this important subject to the chamber. As the first non-South of Scotland MSP to speak in the debate, I will discuss the n...
Derek Brownlee (South of Scotland) (Con):
Con
I also thank Elaine Murray for securing today's debate on what is a very important subject to Dumfries and Galloway, as well as to the south of Scotland and ...
Robin Harper (Lothians) (Green):
Green
Early in the Parliament's first session, I had the honour and great pleasure to take part in an environmental symposium at Crichton College. I kept up that r...
The Deputy Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning (Allan Wilson):
Lab
I thank Elaine Murray for providing us with the opportunity to debate a subject that is of great importance to our policy position, and for her speech, which...
Alasdair Morgan:
SNP
The minister should just cut to the chase: does he or the Executive have a view on whether they would prefer the University of Glasgow to stay at Crichton ca...
Allan Wilson:
Lab
I advise the member to be patient in that regard.On student numbers, I believe that the overall level of provision at the Crichton campus should, at the very...
Chris Ballance:
Green
The minister's allotted time is running out, and we would very much like him to address the question that Alasdair Morgan asked: does he support the range of...
Allan Wilson:
Lab
I thought that I had just explained to Chris Ballance and other members that ministers are denied by law from doing what he suggests. Interruption. Chris Bal...
Alasdair Morgan:
SNP
Will the minister give way?
Alex Fergusson:
Con
Will the minister give way?
Allan Wilson:
Lab
Let me make progress.The funding council allocates a block teaching grant to institutions. It is up to each university, as an autonomous body, to decide how ...
Alasdair Morgan:
SNP
Will the minister give way?
Allan Wilson:
Lab
I will continue my point.Comparisons have been made with the level of provision and investment in the Highlands and Islands—Alasdair Morgan made such compari...
Chris Ballance:
Green
Will the minister meet the funding council to discuss the issue?
The Deputy Presiding Officer:
Lab
Do not intervene from a sedentary position, Mr Ballance.
Allan Wilson:
Lab
I ask Chris Ballance to be patient, as I will come to that point.I pay tribute to Glasgow University for its support of Crichton campus and I hope that it wi...
Meeting closed at 17:53.