On Wednesday evening an emergency meeting with 300 sports exec members was held in response to some dramatic and concerning University proposals. University central funding to the Department of Physical Education and Sport is proposed to be decreased by £200,000, with the most likely consequence being a significant increase in the price bparticipate in sport at Warwick. Over the Summer, the price could rise by £20, a 60% increase. This will not have a direct impact on sports club budgets unless Warwick Sport membership decreases.

In response to the serious concerns raised at the sports council on Wednesday, the Students’ Union have launched a “Support Our Sports” Campaign, aiming to communicate to the University the serious implications of these proposals.

The major concerns of the sports clubs and the Students’ Union are outlined below, as are the justifications and the context of the University proposals.

The Students’ Union Concerns

• Disproportionate cuts – These funding cuts are far greater than the 5% cuts other University departments face following the Vice Chancellors announcement last month. The cuts of over £200,000 represent a 15% hit being taken by the Department of Physical Education and Sport. 
• The timescales and lack of consultation – These proposals have only arisen in the last few weeks, preventing meaningful consultation and adequate consideration. We believe that much more thought is critical to assess just how severely such significant cuts will affect sport on campus.
• The direct impact of cuts – cuts directed at the Department of Physical Education and Sport leave very little room for manoeuvre, with options being a dramatically reduced service level or a direct impact on the Warwick Sport membership, with over 10,000 students and staff being affected.
• Participation – In Warwick Sport, we possess the highest membership of any voluntary University sports federation in the country and we aim to create the most active University in the UK.  Significantly increases in charges could seriously jeopardise these participation rates.
• Cost of student living – Student loans are not increasing and inflation is negative yet the cost of living as a Warwick student is increasing dramatically.
• Damage to clubs – The concerns for clubs are hugely significant and diverse. They face falling membership, loss of member income, impact on sponsorship and many have expresses concerns that they will collapse or re-register as a society.
• The future precedent – Further increases in price have not been ruled out.
• The financial plan – A large price increase could actually make the financial situation worse, as falling membership levels would reduce the income for both the Department of Physical Education and Sport and Warwick Sport.

The University Perspective

• The need for all Departments to make cuts next year is crucial as the University ensure their financial sustainability and aim to meet £12m worth of savings.
• The current price to participate in sport at Warwick is very good value and below the price experienced generally across the sector.
• The Warwick Sport joining fee goes entirely to sporting activities.

Aims of the Campaign

• That the Department for PE and Sport is faced with a funding cut in line with other departments during the next academic year.
• That any further action is only undertaken after a full and thorough consultation with the student body.

Support Our Sports Campaign

• Letters written to the Vice Chancellor and Registrar by individual clubs and Terry Marshall and Stuart Thomson
• Facebook group Support our Sports created to act as a petition.
• Clubs to communicate and rally members.
• Online survey to assess the impact of such proposals. Visit www.warwicksu.com/sos
• Students views will be collected online and via boards at all events.
• Further action will be communicated regularly with the student body and sport clubs.
• We urge all students to voice their opinion and support their sport.