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Dear Critical Geographers, I have been a lurker on this list for the past few years. My interests are in rurality and lifelong learning. I am impressed by the political consciousness and debate on this list so I hope that some of you can support me and my colleagues here in the School of Continuing Education, University of Leeds, UK who are facing the prospect of having our department closed. I am pasting in a briefing note and would ask anyone who feels able to do so to write in protest to our vice chancellor (and geographer) Professor Sir Alan Wilson, ([log in to unmask])the dean of faculty and PVC Staffing Professor Diane Shorrocks Taylor ([log in to unmask])and the PVC for Teaching and Learning Professor Alan Pearman ([log in to unmask]) THREAT TO ADULT EDUCATION AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LEEDS This statement is issued jointly by the Senior Management Group and School Advisory Committee of the School of Continuing Education, University of Leeds. As is well known, there is a national debate about part-timers in higher education as well as concerns about the marketisation of universities generally. At the University of Leeds a radical restructuring of provision for part-time adult learners in Leeds and the region is being proposed. This involves the dissolution of the School of Continuing Education, which has existed in one form or another since 1946. The School of Continuing Education has financial difficulties and all staff recognise these need to be resolved. But this type of creative, diverse and far-reaching education can not be done on the cheap. Members of the AUT and UNISON are fighting these proposals which reflect the moves to put profit before education that are currently threatening the sector nationally. The School enrols thousands of adult learners each year in its programmes, and has a wide variety of partners in the region - including FE Colleges, the LEAs, and the voluntary sector. It provides a range of programmes at all levels - from community outreach provision in the city of Leeds and across the region, to credit-bearing courses in the arts, social studies and trade union studies - as well as professional provision at postgraduate and undergraduate levels. The crucial link between research, teaching and lifelong learning is a strength of the School which has a national and international reputation. All staff in the School have a long history of providing high quality, relevant and responsive courses for part-time, mature students. They fear that the University's proposals will not only damage this provision but will also alienate the University from non-traditional, but critically important, areas of work. ENDS NOT FOR PUBLICATION For further information contact the Chair of the School, Dr Malcolm Chase Tel 0113 343 3183 Email [log in to unmask] closureknow that some of you ar -----Original Message----- From: David Prytherch [mailto:[log in to unmask]] Sent: 05 March 2004 19:49 To: [log in to unmask] Subject: AAG Panel: State of Urban Geography My apologies for cross-postings. _______________________ For those attending the Association of American Geographers meeting in Philadelphia, please mark your calendars to attend a centennial year panel "The state of urban geography: what is it and where is it going?" (Monday, March 15 at 3:00 pm), organized by Urban Geography Specialty Group graduate student board members (Alison Mountz, Syracuse and David Prytherch, Miami of Ohio). We have gathered an impressive panel of urban geographers of diverse interests and experiences, including * Winifred Curran (Clark) * Larry Bourne (Toronto) * Michael Dear (USC) * Sarah Elwood (DePaul) * Robert Lake (Rutgers) * Sallie Marston (Arizona). The panelists will assess the directions of urban geographic theory and practice, asking: What may be the significance of the sub-discipline, today and tomorrow, to the production and application of geographic knowledge? As cities -- like the geographers who study them -- confront economic crisis and the changing nature of urban life after 9/11, perhaps we ought to pause and reflect on what urban geography means today. This panel discussion will draw from the varied perspectives and experiences of those who call themselves (or are called by others) urban geographers. Panelists have been asked to not only theorize urban geography, but also reflect on their everyday experience of doing urban geography. We hope the result will be a frank discussion of difficult questions. What (or who) defines urban geography? Is urban geography what urban geographers do, or isn't that enough? We hope to see you there. -- David Prytherch Visiting Assistant Professor Department of Geography Miami University Oxford, OH 45056 (513) 529-5010 (513) 529-1948 FAX -- David Prytherch Visiting Assistant Professor Department of Geography Miami University Oxford, OH 45056 (513) 529-5010 (513) 529-1948 FAX