After ten years as principal and vice-chancellor of the University of Edinburgh, Professor Sir Peter Mathieson has announced that he will not run for a third term.
In light of this announcement, The Student went to gather staff reactions to the news. For privacy reasons, all responses are anonymised.
One staff member commented that while the announcement comes as “welcome news,” the strikes will continue because the university still “refuses to offer anything” to staff.
Another stated that the decision was ultimately to “remove responsibility” from himself and to “care even less.”
All staff interviewed concur that Mathieson has “not done enough.”
There was a consensus between the staff in George Square, at Old College, and the ECA that while all are happy with Mathieson’s departure, it is ultimately the “structure of the university” that is the root cause of the issues.
Another staff member confessed that it would “admittedly be welcomed” if the next principal “provided personable and convivial leadership,” but feared the “main structural issues” would neutralise any benefits of a responsive leader.
With scant faith in the university’s bureaucratic functions, there lacks resounding excitement for Mathieson’s replacement.
Staff across the University seem pleased that Mathieson will not continue on as principal but are aware they should not expect any radical change any time soon.
Photo by Bruno BD on Unsplash.
