University and Educational Intelligence

Abstract

BIRMINGHAM.—The University of Birmingham has for some years been in considerable financial difficulties, for, in addition to the great outlay incurred in erecting and equipping the new buildings, it has been faced with an annual excess of expenditure above income. On last year's working the loss was about 12,000l., and it is estimated that, even with most rigid economy, there will be a deficit of 10,000l. on the present year. This fact, combined with the additional circumstances that the University has practically reached the limit of its power to borrow money, has been a cause of grave anxiety to those responsible for the management of the finances. At present the situation is critical, and it is felt that unless further help is forthcoming, not only must further development be out of the question, but even a retrograde movement will be inevitable. Indeed, in the existing state of affairs eco;nomy is being exercised to such an extent as to imperil efficiency. The response of the Chancellor of the Exchequer to the recent appeal of English universities brought matters to a crisis, for, as is well known, the allotment of the increase of the Treasury grant is to be determined largely by the extent to which local support is forthcoming. At this juncture a letter was sent by the Chancellor (the Rt. Hon. Joseph Chamberlain) to the Lord Mayor asking for further assistance from the City Council in the form of an addition to the halfpenny rate already granted for the support of the University. The matter was referred to the Education Committee, with the result that the committee recommended the City Council to increase the rate to an amount equivalent to “one penny in the pound for the year 1911–12 … and so from year to year until the council shall otherwise direct. Further, that it be a suggestion to the authorities of the University that they should increase the number of maintenance scholarships available for persons who would not otherwise be, able to take advantage of university teaching.” This recommendation has now been approved by the council, with, the exception that the grant is for the one year only. In view of the probability that the “Greater Birmingham” scheme will have come into effect by next year, it was deemed advisable, that the matter should then be open to discussion by the enlarged council resulting from that scheme. An interest ing feature in the discussion of the question throughout was the evidence of a widespread desire that further facili ties, in the nature of scholarships, should be provided for poor students.