Halt outsourcing plans at the University of Nottingham

Please sign and circulate this petition to oppose the outsourcing of IT services at the University of Nottingham (UoN)

We call on the University of Nottingham to:

• rethink its proposal for a new IT operating model
• halt any outsourcing plans of IT services
• invest instead in IS staff training and upskilling as necessary.

Background

On 8 October, the University of Nottingham council supported UEB’s recommendation to outsource foundational IT services to an external company. ‘Foundational IT services’ are likely to include service desk, campus IT support (in person desk side support, AV support, student support), Windows and Linux administrators, data centre operations, HPC and network teams. The definition of what is ‘in scope’ might change over the next 12 months, but we estimate that about 125, or 50%, of information service (IS) staff will be confronted with redundancy or transfer to external contractors. The remaining IS staff will be restructured to fit the new model.

In light of the recent experience with Project Transform and the outsourcing of Campus Solutions to Infosys, we have no reason to believe that this new wave of outsourcing will be managed any better or is even necessary. The ongoing problems with Campus Solutions should be resolved first before even considering any further changes to the systems that feed into it. IS staff are still heavily involved in patching up the failures of Infosys, further outsourcing might well bring the institution to a halt.

University of Nottingham UCU

Signed:

1,528

Darren Moon

London School of Economics and Political Science

1,527

J BOREHAM

local government

1,526

Alan McShane

Blackburn College Branch

In solidarity with you!

1,525

Kieran McConaghy

University of St Andrews

Solidarity

1,524

Ellie Mallison

Nottingham

1,523

Christine Bexton

Graduate School

1,522

Peter Olayiwola

Nottingham

1,521

Mahdi Alhendal

United Kingdom

Everything for the university’s team

1,520

Jo Leonardi-Bee

University of Nottingham / Clinical Sciences building

It is important that we keep our IT services in-house as this is the only way that local knowledge can be gained and used to promptly address issues

1,519

Timothy Card

University of Nottingham

1,518

Laila Tata

University of Nottingham/ Clinical Sciences Building

Having known 3 good skilled workers leave the university largely due to previous change in contracts related to project transform I think outsourcing is damaging to morale, security, and devaluing of employees who have worked here for a long time. Cost savings cycle back to losses via loss of skills, continuity and what is really needed is strong internal leadership with a long term view

1,517

John Britton

Nottingham university

1,516

Manpreet Bains

Uni of Nottingham

1,515

Tricia McKeever

Univerisity of Nottingham

1,514

Fiona Pearce

Nottinghamshire

1,513

Alex Barker

University of Nottingham

I agree with the comments about campus solutions, it was a mess when it was introduced and appears to still have issues now.

1,512

Emma Wilson

City Hospital

I am an academic and you expect me to be responsible and accountable for the experience students get on my course and through my teaching. It is already quite difficult to get IT support because they are so overworked but at least they know what they are doing when they do come. How is outsourcing to a company who have no “care” and knowledge going to benefit the student experience in anyway ?

1,511

Chidera Nweze

University of Nottingham

1,510

Vanessa Tasara

University Of Nottingham

1,509

Pawel Rogowski

University of Nottingham

1,508

Grant Howard

University of Nottingham

1,507

Charlotte Clark

UoN

1,506

Kateryna Zhyvitska

University of Nottingham

1,505

Andrew Hallam

Nottinghamshire

keep our IT in house

1,504

Adam Clark

University of Nottingham

1,503

Cornelia de Moot

UoN

1,502

Vanessa Tsong

University of Nottingham

1,501

Adam Lalani

University of Nottingham

1,500

Sonu Pun

University of Nottingham

1,499

Asha Khunti

University of Nottingham

1,498

Hamish Heilbron

Uni of Nottingham

IT services are clearly underfunded and have been consistently disappointing during my time at the University. My face to face interactions with smart bars and other IS have been positive every time, so I can only suppose the wider issues with IT infrastructure are with resource allocation.

1,497

George Burns

University of Nottingham

1,496

David Turner

University of Nottingham

1,495

Simrah Khan

The university of Nottingham

1,494

Adam Clay

University of Nottingham

1,493

Penny Nichols

University of Nottingham

1,492

Jill Owens

KMC

1,491

Kate Ash-Irisarri

University of Nottingham

1,490

Heather Page

University of Nottingham

1,489

George Sullivan

University of Nottingham

Just another method to undermine the universities hard working staff, despicable.

1,488

Teresa Flowers

Nottinghamshire

1,487

John Snowdon

Newcastle University

Every instance we've seen of outsourcing has ended in disaster. Why throw away decades of accumulated institutional knowledge from your staff and their collective sense of ownership to an external provider who is purely driven by financial gain? It is utter madness.

1,486

Ian Clark

Newcastle University

1,485

Sue Waterston

1,484

Chris Moore

University of Nottingham, SOLS

1,483

Fei Sang

University Of Nottingham

We do need IT-support to resolve all the IT problems, like firewall issue, IP issue, in a efficient way.

1,482

Nadine Holmes

University of Nottingham

1,481

victoria wright

University of Nottingham

We run complex data acquisition and analysis platforms and regularly need the skills and technical expertise of the data centre and IT support staff, who regularly go above and beyond to help us get the most out of our systems.

1,480

Dave Churchley

Newcastle

1,479

Daniel Giddins

University Of Nottingham

1,478

James Pattison

University of Nottingham

1,477

Lisa Warwick

University of Nottingham

1,476

Elena Genova

Nottinghamshire

1,475

Nick Stevenson

Nottinghamshire

1,474

Molly Boiling

University of Nottingham

1,473

Rachel Stevenson

University of Nottingham

I am a mature student at this university and have found the admin and student services to be below expected standards, forcing me multiple times to risk my job due to changing lectures, often at the last minute. They are also unhelpful and do not support those who are working whilst studying. There is no assistance for those who commute and useful info is hidden - to outsource would make this wors

1,472

Mat Rawsthorne

University of Nottingham

IS staff are skilled professionals, not identical replaceable units like photocopiers!

1,471

L Woods

University of Nottingham

1,470

David Young

University of Nottingham

IT staff deserve fair working conditions & job security. Efforts to push through the outsourcing of IT services at UoN show that nothing has been learned from the series of technical issues in flagship software projects which have plagued the university in recent years. This effort appears to be a blatant effort to outsource problems caused by broader managerial failings and lack of foresight.

1,469

Daniel Fisher

Nottingham Trent

1,468

George Swann

University of Nottingham

1,467

Peter Haysom

University of Nottingham

1,466

Tracey Potts

University of Nottingham

After the fiasco of Campus Solutions this university needs to start investing in its people

1,465

Louis Cotgrove

UoN CLAS

All the recent studies show that outsourcing IT reduces quality of service and will negatively impact student experience. Project transform is toxic

1,464

Ben Gormley

Independent

I worked at Notts when Project Transform first established. The first director was 'moved on' so was off to bad start. The general consensus was that it was introduced to reduce costs/staff. We coined the term 'Project Chop Chop' in view of this. The concern is Project Transform will sell its services to other Universities to help then brutalise staff numbers also.

1,463

Kathryn Medien

University of Cambridge

1,462

Sara Jabbari

University of Birmingham

1,461

David Bell

Loughborough University

Having studied and worked at the University of Nottingham from 2004-2013 I was regularly indebted to the excellent IT team. I've seen the damage outsourcing has done to services, reputation, staffing and costs elsewhere and urge Nottingham not to go ahead with these damaging proposals.

1,460

Stephanie Coen

UoN Geography

1,459

Julie Montague

Nottinghamshire

1,458

Josh Franks

E.ON UK

1,457

Simon Breden

University of Nottingham

Enough.

1,456

Gianlluca Simi

Canopy Insight

1,455

J Mitch

WFP Library

Removing employment from the local economy is a poor decision, doubly poor when there is no improvement to services to the customers ie the students

1,454

Valentina Anania

University of Nottingham

Outsourcing is a guarantee for service quality to plummet and it's ridiculous this option was even suggested. I'm not going to mention the ethical issues the move would raise because I am woefully aware of how little the University would care about that.

1,453

Joaquin Montalva

University of Nottingham

Solidarity with IS staff!

1,452

Odin Kroeger

University of Vienna

1,451

Fatima Lopez

University of Nottingham

1,450

Simon Ellis

1,449

Fabian Maier

Nottingham university

1,448

Gabriella Cioce

Solidarity

1,447

Joe Kearsey

University of Nottingham

1,446

Harriet Perkins

The University of Nottingham

Outsource hardware not people

1,445

Tracy Leavesley

University of Nottingham

1,444

Errolinda Ward

University of Nottingham School of Life Sciences

1,443

Caroline Lloyd

University of Nottingham

1,442

Jackie Kettlewell

University of Nottingham Libraries

Utter madness!

1,441

Maxine Fowler

University of Nottingham

1,440

Chris Carter

University of Nottingham

1,439

Gemma Bosson

University of Nottingham

Our current IT team provide an extremely valuable service to both staff and students, they are vital to maintaining daily operations, this move would unnecessarily threaten both staff morale, operational effectiveness and student experience.

1,438

Wendy Solis

1,437

Hilary Martin

Medical School

I feel our IT team's institutional knowledge is vital to enhance the service they provide and also have GDPR concerns re our personal data, research data, security of our intellectual property and sensitivities of collaborative research and conflict of interest with other institutions.

1,436

Marie Elaine Taylor

Notts

Former student Vital to keep IT SERVICES

1,435

David Valentine-Hagart

University of Nottingham

1,434

Andrew Renault

SoLS

The big problem is that outsourced companies work to the letter of their contracts whilst in house staff work to provide the results the institution needs. This is seen over and over again with InfoSys which works to contract, and where it fails to deliver does the calculation as to whether the financial penalty is cheaper than fixing the problem.

1,433

Robert Markus

Nottingham

In house IT support is vital, and getting to know IT people and working together on problems improves well being too, having someone you know and trust is very important. Creates bonds, both personally and professionally. Importantly the IT team helping us already knows the history of our systems, therefore we get specific quick help when needed.

1,432

Marie Pardon

Life sciences

Outsourcing has been disastrous, we had very good IT services in house, with excellent systems for timetabling and finances designed in house (e.g. IMAT), which have been replaced by very ineffective ones.

1,431

Seema Bagia

School of Life Sciences (SLIM)

1,430

Nicholas Blockley

University of Nottingham

These are critical systems that the University needs to take direct and full responsibility for.

1,429

Richard Barker

1,428

Ying Zhang

CBS

1,427

Martin Schuermann

University of Nottingham

1,426

Siobhan Loughna

SoLS

1,425

Luisa Martinez-Pomares

SoLS, QMC D40

1,424

Yvonne Mbaki

University of Nottingham

1,423

Federico Dajas-Bailador

Life Sciences

1,422

Deb Briggs

School of life sciences

1,421

Tim Self

UoN

1,420

Alex Rathbone

University of Nottingham

1,419

Uwe Vinkemeier

QMC, School of Life Sciences

1,418

Elizabet Rosethorne

University of Nottingham

1,417

Monika Owen

Not Applicable

Outsourcing IT doesn't seem to have been successful so far so why continuing with it. The in house IT support is invaluable to resolve problems in the offices and the laboratories.

1,416

Rita Tewari

University of Nottingham

Outsourcing does not improve performance, delivery or productivity. Only people will leave. There should be respect for people who work.

1,415

Sally Cordon

University of Nottingham

IT support needs to be human, with real people able to visit your office or laboratory to help you to resolve the problem. Current IT help is one of the few remaining gems in the crown of Nottingham University - don't discard it.

1,414

Maria Arruda

University of Nottingham

1,413

Matt Carlile

University of Nottingham

1,412

Tracy Farr

SoLS

1,411

Michael Garle

University of Nottingham

Out sourcing of IT would be a retrograde step. Most other industries (having outsourced over past 20 years) are now brining IT back in-house, both for cyber security reasons and efficiency in addressing IT problems as they arise.

1,410

Bernadette Hepworth

Health and medicine/SOLS/Teaching

Please do not outsource IT services to and external company

1,409

Dominik Siwek

School of Life Sciences

We need qualified University IT Technicians who know how the School runs and what the issues are. When an outside company is appointed then we will have as many problems as we have with printing services which are unreliable.

1,408

Alexander Tarr

Life sciences

1,407

Rob Till

School of LifeSciences

1,406

Fran Ebling

School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham

It is academic staff who bear the brunt of student dissatisfaction with the recent failings in outsourced IT; UoN senior management miss this point. In house IT systems eg Touchstone, Rogo can be customised to delivery exactly what we need, and seem to have far less problems than outsourced software and systems. Outsourcing is perceived as cheaper, but offers a poor service-what is more important?

1,405

Alex Truman

Nottingham University

1,404

Boyan Bonev

University of Nottingham

Centralising IT has ralready disconnected applications from supprt and IT support has deterriorated in comarison to local IT teams. This is largely due to centralised management and operations subordinate to centralised criteria, not to end user-optimised delivery of service. Ouotsourcing will lead to a disaster with skeletal support for very basic functionality. And, this is beastly to staff.

1,403

Angus Brown

University of Nottingham

Given the current fiasco with Campus Solutions provided by Infosys it would be foolish to rely on this company to provide IT services.

1,402

David Onion

School of Life Scienes, University of Nottingham, Nottingham

1,401

Francis Gilbert

University of Nottingham

Outsourcing just makes short-term gains for long-term problems. The cheapest long-term way to good IT is to staff and resource our own IT section.

1,400

Kevin Morgan

Life Sciences

1,399

Ian Ward

Derbyshire

1,398

Margaret Pratten

Life Sciences

1,397

Alan Huett

Life Sciences

It is unclear to me that the primary reason given for considering outsourcing that "IT moves too quickly to keep up" is true, insofar as it relates to the functioning of the University. It seems to me that most of the business of the University can and is accomplished with fairly standard tools from large vendors e.g. Microsoft 365, Agresso etc.

1,396

Tamsin Majerus

University of Nottingham

Continued and increased outsourcing contradicts UoN's 2020 People Strategy commitment to put our People first: e.g. Attract, identify, develop and RETAIN high performing talent across all areas

1,395

Paul Dyer

Life Sciences

Very poor experience with Campus Solutions and Admissions Software provided by Infosys - both are inferior to previous software available.

1,394

sebastien Serres

Derbyshire

1,393

Alistair Hume

University of Nottingham Life Sciences

1,392

Karl Wooldridge

1,391

Steve Briddon

University of Nottingham

1,390

Simon Dawson

University of Nottingham

I would have thought it self-evident that Infosys aren't fit for purpose re. Campus Solutions etc in the two years since they formed a 'strategic partnership', but for some reason, it makes sense to go further along this route? Absurd. Staff and properly fund an internal IT department please.

1,389

Helen Cunliffe

University of Nottingham

1,388

Michael Beale

Nottingham

My wife, along with her colleges, is under threat from plans to potentially outsource her role. As someone who strongly believes in higher education and all the positive things it brings society as a whole I feel that she is being badly let down by this possible direction the University is taking. And the argument for it is short-termist and weak.

1,387

Luke Maiden

University of Nottingham

Outsourcing is a clear sign of disrespect and disregard from managers who have lost their humanity.

1,386

daniella taiwo

university of nottinham

1,385

Emma Astle

University of Nottingham

1,384

Hongwei Bao

The University of Nottingham

I highly appreciate the excellent work and continuous staff and students supoort provided by the university IT team.

1,383

Louise Ahern

1,382

Jenny Mackay

University of Nottingham

1,381

Oliver Franiel

UoN alumnus

In virtually all organisations for which I've worked over the years, IT outsourcing only sounded good on paper. In the end, paying less for better service really is too good to be true.

1,380

Claire Henson

1,379

Heidi Marshall

Medical School

1,378

Zarina Teli

Cripps Dental Centre, University of Nottingham

1,377

Chloe Towlerton

University of Nottingham

1,376

Victoria Whelan

University of Nottingham

Close the gender pay gap

1,375

James Matai

University of Nottingham

Listen to your employees already! They are the background of this institution.

1,374

Holly Rush

Nottingham

1,373

Chris Brotherton

Emeritus Professor Herriot-Watt University, University of Ulster, Senior Lecturer, Nottingham Univ.

IT supports all strategic functions of our Universities. It is vital that management at all levels maintains firm control of its operations at all times.

1,372

Jonathan Albericci

1,371

Meryl Aldridge

University of Nottingham (retired)

Outsourcing is never an improvement. Are staff overpaid? I think not. So where is the contractor's profit going to come from?

1,370

Toni Read

External Relations

Considering the massive negative impact the project transform etc has had on the health and well being of university employees, i am shocked that this outsourcing is even being considered.

1,369

Rosie Thompson

University of Nottingham

I do not agree with the outsourcing and believe the university should invest in training IS staff.

1,368

Tamzin Grayson-Gaunt

University of Nottingham

1,367

Tilde Resare

university of nottingham

1,366

Roger Bartlett

Emeritus UCL; former Special Professor, University of Nottingham

This outsourcing appears inappropriate in most respects.

1,365

H Foss

University of Nottingham

1,364

FEIRAN WANG

University of Nottingham

1,363

Danny Lawrence

retired member of the academic and former member of Council

Please reconsider this policy. Outsourcing such services frequently leads to practical problems that are difficult if not impossible to resolve but, in addition, in this instance,the loss of goodwill amongst University staff in general is something the University cannot afford. Once lost it will never be recovered.

1,362

sylvia trtench

retired University of Nottingham

1,361

Jonathan Silvey

Nottingham

As husband of a UoN member of the admin staff, I have had to listen for years to tales of how Campus Solutions has failed again and again. I note how many comments are in favour of the in-house IT staff.

1,360

Donna Palmer

University of Nottingham

this is a crucial university service provided to staff and students

1,359

alastair stuart

University of Nottingham

1,358

Daisy Stringfellow

University of Nottingham

1,357

Luisa Zanchi

University of Leeds

UoLeeds also down the same path... and it’s a nightmare. We have already lost all our best IT people. Stop IT outsourcing in the whole university sector.

1,356

Errol Morris

Lakeside Art Centre Nottingham

1,355

Marta Aloi

Nottinghamshire

As member of Staff of Nottingham University, I cannot emphasise enough how injust and counter-productive this plan is.

1,354

Laura Sun

University of Nottingham

Has the University not learnt lesson from Campus Solutions outsourcing?

1,353

Amena Saber

University of Nottingham

I stand with University Staff.

1,352

Roy Howard

1,351

Karen Stevenson

KMC

Although I am in a different union I whole heartedly agree with you.

1,350

Sarah Green

Nottingham

1,349

Ian Lowndes

University of Nottingham

1,348

Jie Ke

Chemistry

I get excellent IT supports from our university's IT team because they know the requirements of our reseach projects need. I am not sure the external team will provide the same level of service we have.

1,347

Yu Qiong Chin

University of Nottingham

1,346

Sophie Namey

UoN

1,345

James Condliffe

University of Nottingham

I think outsourcing is another step undermining the workforce who’s single contribution is most fundamental to a university.

1,344

Cesar Rodriguez

Nottinghamshire

I support the UCU strike.

1,343

Gabriele Gaspard

1,342

Jensen Gibbs

UoN - Student Services

1,341

Jonathan Shaw

UoN

Having been part of PT, then arbitrarily outsourced to Infosys, I rejoined the University in 2018, only to learn of these latest proposals. It beggars belief that the University is willing to risk its reputation once more even before the dust of PT has settled. Suffice to say I am not keen to repeat this experience, nor see anyone else put through such a demeaning process.

1,340

James Pilley

University of Nottingham

1,339

Helen Rodgers

University of Nottingham

1,338

Matteo Icardi

University of Nottingham

1,337

Max Thorpe

University of Nottingham

1,336

Behzad Talle

University of Nottingham

1,335

Yufeng Li

1,334

Emma Taylor

University of Nottingham

1,333

Jonathan F

1,332

Keith Burgess

Nottingham

1,331

Esmeralda Bon

1,330

Emily Janes

University of Nottingham

Stop ignoring the views of staff and unions. The more you do the more impact it has, not only on their lives, but also the lives of us students.

1,329

Naomi Lockwood

University of Nottingham

1,328

Olivia Shaw

University of Nottingham

As a student, I feel that the university is consistently letting down its students.

1,327

Sarah Smart

UoN, Campaign Office

I want to keep our in house IT support, not see it outsourced.

1,326

Krishnan Ganesh

Department of Physics and Astronomy

1,325

Hannah Constantin

University of Nottingham

1,324

Annabel Browne

1,323

valerie owens

Nottingham University Chaplaincy

The IT staff in SB offer an invaluable and excellent service that is irreplaceable. Their prompt, efficient and helpful service enables staff to work efficiently, and removes the stress of ongoing IT problems. I am hugely grateful to their service over many years and cannot imagine what it would be like to lose this great team of highly dedicated and experienced people.

1,322

Nigel Mongan

1,321

andrew` wilde

University of Manchester

This needs to be stopped at all universities

1,320

Richard Misell-jones

University of Manchester

Stop this madness we at Manchester are also going through this, and it's not to save money that is the usual excuse...

1,319

Pete Carlton

CELE, University of Nottingham

Please rethink this proposal. The in-house IT team are doing an excellent job. Why fix it if it ain't broke?

1,318

Chris Rumsey

Nottingham Clinical Trials Unit, UoN

Is the University shooting itself in the foot? Will any alternative outsourced provision actually come close in replicating what is currently provided by UoN IS. At the Nottingham Clinical Trials Unit we are heavily reliant on the support that UoN IS provides. This includes but also goes way beyond basic support for PCs and end users - business specific critical software and server platforms.

1,317

laura wilson

University of Nottingham

1,316

Nicky Baker

University of Nottingham, School of Medicine

1,315

Claire Jennings

University Park

1,314

Monica Persson

University of Nottingham

The services provided by IT are excellent

1,313

Rich Thorne

Student Services, University of Nottingham

Whether or not outsourcing is a good idea in general, please hold off making any large-scale IT changes until the results of the last large-scale IT changes are working properly...

1,312

Karen Lawler

Nottingham University

1,311

Margaret Hull

Nottingham University UPC

Out sourcing the IT, you be will loosing control over quality and services to both staff and Students. Putting money savings before quality and service, never works in a specialist area. Ends up costing far more to the University in the long run in reputation and then having to plough more money in to reach the level of quality and service required for staff and Students.

1,310

Andy Thomson

University of Nottingham

Have always expected better from a university and have been consistently disappointed. This will result in higher costs for a poorer service.

1,309

Nick Cox

University Of Nottingham

1,308

Corinne Leighton

Nottinghamshire

This is a real kick in the teeth for our hardworking IS colleagues and will add even more instability to an already difficult working situation for all here at UoN

1,307

Clive Dixon

Nottingham University

If the service you get from the private IT companies in your home is anything to go by,I cant see the benefit of outsourcing.Plus,the disruption to procedures will not be worth it.

1,306

ANGELA SHONE

UNIVERSITY OF NOTTINGHAM

1,305

Susan Sutherland

Student Services, UP Central, Portland Building

The current staff do an excellent job and are invaluable. I've seen outsourcing at other companies and the results have been poor at best

1,304

Gaynor Robinson

University of Nottingham

1,303

Jessica Cormack

University of Nottingham

1,302

Tracy Adair

University of Nottingham

1,301

Yvonne Constable

Student Services Portland Building

We need to keep "in house" staff not sit waiting to speak to an unknown on a phone

1,300

Rachel Fox

University of Nottingham

1,299

Alice Lill

University of Nottingham

1,298

Aaron Lewis

University of Nottingham

1,297

James Hetherington

University of Nottingham

The latest in a series of poorly informed, questionably motivated, decisions and one which is very likely to be an ongoing disaster for the University. There needs to be accountability.

1,296

Alexia Karantana

University of Nottingham

The team provide a service that required local expertise, know how and boots on the ground and could not be succesfully outsourced.

1,295

Wendy Sutcliffe

University of Nottingham

1,294

Natalia Tsiva

University of Nottingham, Libraries

1,293

Liz Doney

University of Nottingham

I object to the outsourcing of core services

1,292

Estelle Derclaye

Univ. Nottingham

I've always have had a wonderful service by our IT staff for the 13 years I have worked here, why should we change? If Prof Arrowsmith, a world expert on public procurement belirves outsourcing will make things worse, I'd be extremely concerned and careful. We will no longer have internal/full control over the outsourced services. Does UoN want even less staff and student satisfaction?

1,291

Kath Starr

University of Nottingham

1,290

Leanne Cartwright

Nottinghamshire

Our team relies heavily on the support we receive from the our IT colleagues (Service desk staff and Campus support (IT West) I would be unable to run the Central Registration event without the support I receive each year from these teams. The assistance we require could not be provided by an outsourced IT provision.

1,289

Chris Norman

University of Nottingham

I cannot see any benefit to this idea other than saving cash, which makes it a dreadful idea. We will lose valuable service quality and insight from colleagues for no good reason.

1,288

Alex MacKenzie

University of Nottingham

1,287

Kimberley Simms

University of Nottingham

1,286

Rhiannon Harries

University of Nottingham, UK

1,285

Faye Martin

University of Nottingham

1,284

Rachel Haines

Nottingham Clinical Trials Unit, School of Medicine

1,283

Esther Burden-Teh

University of Nottingham

The UON IT service is excellent - knowledgable, fast and friendly. Outsourcing puts this at risk! We risk losing committed and valuable staff, and are likely to end up with a poorer service.

1,282

Jayne Newham

University of Nottingham

The UoN IT services are excellent. I have worked here for 22 years and every issue I have had has aways been resolved in a timely and professional manner. As with most IT issues the user requires a fast response, which in my opinion has always been the case with the UoN. I worry that by outsourcing we will lose this excellent service we currently have.

1,281

Joanne Burkitt

University of Nottingham

1,280

wendy Daunt

University of Nottingham

1,279

Ritika Sharma

NUH

1,278

Jane Evison

University of Nottingham

1,277

Beth Norton

University of Nottingham

Does past experience tell us nothing? Outsourcing does not work. Value our IT Service please. Keep our IT Services in house.

1,276

Mickey Lewis

University of Nottingham

1,275

Martha Jones

University of Nottingham

I'm completely against any plans to outsource IT services at the University of Nottingham. This will add to existing problems caused by Project Transform and Campus Solutions, which haven't been resolved.

1,274

Kate Garland

University of Nottingham

I object to the outsourcing of core services

1,273

Sebastian Moody

Nottingham Clinical Trials Unit

Keep it within the Uni!

1,272

Kirsty Sprange

University of Nottingham

1,271

Lindsay Armstrong-Buisseret

University of Nottingham

I've worked in industry and seen the effects of IT services being outsourced, it was a complete and utter disaster that ended up costing way more than keeping it in-house. Don't make everyone's life a misery by outsourcing this essential service, it will end up with everyone being frustrated and wasting hours of staff time.

1,270

Charlotte Gidman

University of Nottingham

1,269

Ann Lavin

Business School

Why outsource? Shouldn't we be developing the in-house IT department which in my experience has been excellent!. IT should be kept in-house!

1,268

Mara Ozolins

University of Nottingham

Outsourcing is likely to cost more in the long run, with poorer service because of lack of internal knowledge

1,267

Trish Hepburn

University of Nottingham

1,266

carrie chalmers

University of Nottingham

Having worked in various corporate institutions the UoN IT helpdesk is the best I've experienced. They are incredibly knowledgeable, professional and friendly. Why try to 'fix' an issue thats not broken. Not to mention all the jobs at risk and insecurities that the IT staff must be feeling right now....

1,265

James Newson

UoM

Good luck resisting

1,264

David Cartwright

University of Manchester

1,263

David Arimoro

University of Nottingham

1,262

Moira Jenkins

N/A

People with these skills need to be nurtured and valued. They deserve security in their working lives.

1,261

John Smithee

Peterborough, Fenland, & King's Lynn Unite Community Branch Member

1,260

Liz Silver

NTU Studetn Support Services

I work in a university and know how important IT support is to both staff and studetns. I also know how important it is for that IT support to be an integral part of the organisation needing the support. The work is best done by internal staff who work for the university and who understand how things work at the university and are part of it's workforce.

1,259

Marcus Dare

University of Nottingham

I think that this is truly awful news for our hard working IT colleagues. And i highly doubt that any external company will be able to maintain the same quality of service or care as much as our current IT department.

1,258

Sean Ince

University of Nottingham

1,257

Margaret Whittingham

Uuniversity of Nottingham Dermatology

1,256

Barbara Maston

University of Nottingham

1,255

Gary Clarke

University of Nottingham

I don't want colleagues to be TUPE'd over to a private company & end up on worse terms & conditions. Keep this service in-house.

1,254

Laura Jarvis

UoN

1,253

Jillian Rickly

NUBS

1,252

Josh Malik

Loughborough University

1,251

Sarah Woodcock

University of Nottinghsm

1,250

Trish Limb

1,249

Cristina De Matteis

University of Nottingham

1,248

Elizabeth Rawding

School of Medicine UoN

The IT team do a great job both on the phone and on the ground. Everyone in UoN relies heavily on the service they provide. This year we have seen the disaster with Campus, MyNottingham & timetabling leading to student disatisfaction and lots of apology emails from senior managers. Outsourcing IT will magnify these problems. Didn't UoN learn anything from Project Transform?

1,247

Marisela Mendoza

nottinghamshire

1,246

Alex Musselwhite

University of Nottingham

1,245

Helen Nicholls

University of Nottingham

1,244

Lucy Sackville

1,243

Stephanie Barnard-Khan

Nottingham

\stop outsourcing! It is horribly inefficient and a nightmare to work with on the ground.

1,242

Richard Pearson

Nottingham

1,241

Roger Bayston

Academic Orthopaedics University of Nottingham

We depend on IT services provided by people who know the systems, know our needs, and know the university. Vast collective experience of outsourcing of IT (and other services) shows clearly that it is a serious mistake and eventually has to be reversed, with considerable expense and loss of staff morale (and IT expertise as they will have left).

1,240

Laura Prescott

University of Nottingham

1,239

Paul Leighton

University of Nottingham

1,238

Sonia Gran

University of Nottingham

1,237

Sarah Vickers

UoN

1,236

Douglas Grindlay

Notts

A big mistake!

1,235

Doug Little

University of Nottingham

1,234

Stefnee Lindberg

University of Nottingham (yes, it still has campuses in Nottingham, UK-- for now!)

How is it that outsourcing at Manchester is being touted as a success story? Outsourcing went so well there that a group of academics got together and wrote this book called "What a waste: Outsourcing and how it goes wrong" https://www.manchesteruniversitypress.co.uk/9780719099533/

1,233

Laura Dovey

1,232

Dan Duthie

UoN, City Hospital

One has to question UEB's ability to manage the University of Nottingham, given it's recent track record.

1,231

Kim Thomas

University of Nottingham

1,230

Nicola Grime

Jubilee Campus

1,229

Michael Pearce

UON

The University should conduct a poll of academic staff and students as to whether they actually want this change

1,228

John Holford

School of Education, University of Nottingham

This is an extraordinary - and promises to be an extraordinarily damaging - decision. It shows appalling disregard for colleagues. And (especially in the light of the disastrous experience with Project Transform), I have no confidence that it will enhance support for academic activities of any kind.

1,227

Rachel Newnham

University of Nottingham

1,226

Linda Pycroft

University of Nottingham, Dermatology

I do not feel that outsourcing our excellent IT services would be in the best interests of our students or staff.

1,225

Shirley Connolly

University of Nottingham

I don't believe outsourcing is the solution and I don't think it will be managed well if it does go ahead.

1,224

Tamsyn Smith

University of Nottingham

The University should learn from previous mistakes!

1,223

Matthew Nilan

University of Nottingham

1,222

Rachel Holmes

1,221

Selina Janagal

1,220

Vince Baxter

UoN Education

I feel we should use the skills we already have to maintain IT

1,219

Kay Walters

University of Nottingham

1,218

Mia Bellusova

University of Nottingham

1,217

Janet Wilmot

University of Nottingham, School of Education

1,216

Jennifer Caddick

1,215

Tova Ostlund

Nottingham

1,214

Emma Halford-Busby

University of Nottingham

1,213

Lucy Baker

UoN

1,212

Hannah Meir

University of Nottingham

1,211

Lucy Noyes

University of nottingham

1,210

Alice Nott

University of Nottingham

Outsourcing has not improved the experience of students but hindered it with timetables being created by people who do not understand the needs of students

1,209

Alice Haslam

University of Nottingham

1,208

Heidi Winklhofer

NUBS

To enhance student experience and increase research output, we need our IS staff more than ever. Let's not see them as cost and instead treat them as a core asset.

1,207

Cherie Edwards

Student Services Jubilee

1,206

Samantha Shinn

University of Nottingham

1,205

Jessica Zemanek

University of Nottingham

Don't do it. We rely heavily on the IT team on site, they are quick to understand issues, respond and resolve them! Not a good idea.

1,204

Christine Fletcher

University of Nottingham

1,203

Lorraine Loveridge

University of Nottingham

1,202

Ken Starkey

Nottingham University Business School

It is crucial to educate university management in what are foundational services needed to support our educational mission.

1,201

Margaret McPhee

University of Nottingham

1,200

Carol Hill

University of Nottingham

Campus is proof that we need knowlege with regards to our IT support

1,199

Alison Williams

University of Nottingham Greenfield Medical Library

1,198

Rita Gohil

Division of Psychiatry and Applied Psychology

Not a good idea to outsource as it would mean loss of jobs for IT staff and we already have experienced IT staff with expertise in this area. It would be a money saving exercise that will eventually fall apart if carried out.

1,197

Angela Summerfield

Division of Psychiatry & Applied Psychology

I feel this decision needs revisiting at the very least. We have excellent foot soldiers with vast knowledge in the IT teams based here at the University. It would be a shame to destroy that with another high level decision that seems prone to backfire again.

1,196

Miriam Stanyon

Institute of Mental Health

1,195

Catriona Hind

Nottingham University

1,194

Louise Pettifer

Nottingham University

1,193

Emma Woodward

University of Nottingham

1,192

Mark van Rossum

U Nottingham

1,191

Anshuman Chutani

Nottingham University Business School

1,190

Sarb Hoskinson

Loughbrough

I have seen too many organisations outsource technology and infrastructure projects and seeing staff that has been dedicated leave or made redundant. Then needing this staff to come back and fix a bigger problem than when they left. Leadership needs to listen to staff and develop them and build a string team to then maintain what was implemented- in returning bringing down the Opex costs.

1,189

Jennifer Gordon

Surrey

1,188

Thea Lawrence

Nottinghamshire

1,187

Mari Hughes

University of Nottingham

1,186

Sue Bingham

UoN

1,185

Asya Alanazi

Theology and Religious Studies

1,184

Sue Tempest

NUBS

1,183

Rebecca Batty

University of Nottingham

1,182

Karen Maltby

Nottingham University Business School

In my experience within 2 years companies have always reverted back to inhouse, I have never known outsourcing to work.

1,181

Susan Anderson

Nottingham

1,180

Jinmin Wang

University of Nottingham

1,179

Julia Merrill

University of Nottingham

1,178

Sylvia Perkins

Student Services, Business School North, Jubilee Campus.

1,177

Philip Van Krimpen

Univeristy of Nottingham

Outsourcing is an outdated concept, proven to be ineffective in both the private and public sector. No real attempt has been made to invest in the areas which are being outsourced, both in terms of training and infrastructure. The answer to this is not to simply throw it over the wall and hope another organisation can handle it.

1,176

Yi Ming Lai

University of Nottingham

1,175

Sue Grimwood

Greenfield Medical Library

I do not feel this would be in the best interests of students or staff.

1,174

Sarah Turner

1,173

Beth Coyle

University of Nottingham

1,172

Wilcoxson Gerrard

University of Nottingham

1,171

Sadie Robinson

1,170

Lisa Doughty

University of Nottingham

1,169

Sarah Speirs

University of Nottingham

1,168

Boeles Boeles Rowland

KU Leuven, Belgium

1,167

William Woods

Beeston

1,166

Dave Parkin

University of Nottingham

Of course, outsourcing IT will be damaging to the University in both degraded service and expense forcing it though. But the people making this decision will jump ship before it starts sinking and of course their CV will call it all a great success

1,165

Mark Shotter

Confetti/NTU

1,164

Gina Rogers

Business School, Jubilee Campus

IT is a vital part of every department,school for staff, students, teaching and to enable us all to work professionally.

1,163

Emma Thomson

1,162

Duncan McGuinness

1,161

Hannah Ryan

1,160

Craig Thomson

Self employed

Outsourcing costs more money, training offers better return of investment and control over issues

1,159

Lisa Lockhart

1,158

Rachel Williams

West Bridgford

My previous employer outsourced IT. Quality of service decreased. So much so, they have now brought it back in house. University would be wise to skip the outsourcing step, and instead focus on improving the in house service. For context, previous employer was multinational company with approx 7000 employees.

1,157

Else Panayi

Greater London

Stop outsourcing. Else

1,156

Jo Brewis

The Open University

1,155

Mark Daintree

Nottingham University Business School

Outsourcing is only likely to increase costs, support complexity and service delivery time whilst reducing flexibility and support levels

1,154

Eva Parker

School of Education, University of Nottingham

1,153

Tina Caunt

1,152

Muhammad Rafique

County (optional)NUBS

1,151

George Parr

Unversity of Nottingham, Civil Engineering (Retired)

The dominant priority of a provider of outsourced services would be its own success, not the U of N's.

1,150

Fiona Moore

University of Nottingham

1,149

Michael Thomson

University of Nottingham

1,148

Dave Bicker

Sutton Bonington Campus

Is this wise? Service users think not. Will it go ahead? On past performance it will, expensively & ineffectually.

1,147

Marie Kowalski

Jubilee Student Services

1,146

Alison Pilnick

University of Nottingham

1,145

Teresa Frudd

University of Nottingham

1,144

Carole Winson

Nottingham University Business School

Our current IT staff do an excellent job, we want to keep them!

1,143

Shelly Rigby

University of Nottingham

Not a good time to be outsourcing the IT dept

1,142

Bertrand Perrat

UoN, Business School, N/LAB, Jubilee Campus

1,141

Insa Hartung

1,140

Alyson McLintock

NUBS

1,139

Jackie Andrews

University of Nottingham

1,138

Olga Tkachuk

University of Nottingham Business School

1,137

Philip Bellamy

University of Nottingham

Outsourcing this service seems totally unnecessary

1,136

Rani Thanacoody

Jubilee Campus BSN

1,135

Niamh O'Sullivan

NUBS

1,134

Claire Palmer

University of Nottingham

1,133

Alison Sinclair

University of Nottingham Business School

The University's new and old management is not learning. IT outsourcing is a way to avoid having to deal with the problems the institution started with Project Transform. It's Project Transform 2. Can management please support, not hinder the adoption of the new student record systems. Drastic changes to staffing do not demonstrate leadership, but they erode trust at a frightening speed.

1,132

Joanne Bagshaw

University of Nottingham, King's Meadow Campus

1,131

David Gray

Sutton Bonington Campus

Quality of IT provision at SB is good; outsourcing is unlikely to provide the level of support required to do our job efficiently.

1,130

Simona Spedale

The University of Nottingham - NUBS

1,129

Tessa Moore

UoN

Outsourcing hasn't worked with Campus. Why would it work with IT?

1,128

Joanne Hadley

NUBS,Jubilee Campus, BS North

Campus foundational IT support is too valuable to lose.

1,127

Frederique Bouilheres

NUBS

1,126

Ja ryong Kim

University of Nottingham

1,125

Camilla Palmer

the University of Nottingham

I support this cause.

1,124

Mark Bentley

University of Nottingham

1,123

Tracey Bettinson

University of Nottingham

1,122

Sophie Mills

University of Nottingham/Business School

Outsourcing core IT services would be a huge mistake, as IT support should be integrated within the business. I believe investment into IS staff training would be a much more favourable option.

1,121

Sarah Holt

University of Nottingham, Department of Theology and Religious Studies

The individuals whom I have encountered on The IT team are exceptionally competent and committed, compared to any I have met in other places. I find it hard to believe there can be a better calibre of employee elsewhere. To make half redundant and to outsource work cannot be for the good of clients within the uni like me (a postgrad student) or them. I heartily endorse this petition.

1,120

Kathleen Visser

University of Nottingham

1,119

Anja Rohde

University of Nottingham, Department of Archaeology and Classics

1,118

Svetlana Clark

Modern languages

Can anyone give a single example of outsourcing success?!?

1,117

Mark Anderson

History/Humanities/University of Nottingham

1,116

Lydia Farina

University of Nottingham

1,115

Soma Mukherjee

Research & Innovation, University of Nottingham

1,114

Alex Bryne

University of Nottingham

1,113

Arijit Mukherjee

Nottingham University Business School

1,112

Hamish Forbes

School of Humanities/Dept of Classics and Archaeology

1,111

Heather Davison

School of Chemistry, UoN

1,110

Miki Kurose

Nottinghamshire

outsourcing

1,109

Naomi Harvey

Nottingham University Vet School

Outsourcing IT is a very bad idea. Please don’t.

1,108

Ting Chang

University of Nottingham

The in-house IT team has provided invaluable help to me and solved many problems. There is no reason to get rid of them.

1,107

Lewis Borck

University of Missouri

Please do not continue with plans to outsource university services to a private, for profit, company.

1,106

Minjia Chen

Business school

1,105

Craig Shepherd

University of Nottingham

1,104

Nigel Denoronha

University of Nottingham

The in house IT service has dealt well with my personal and teaching requirements. I am extremely concerned that outsourcing the service would significantly reduce the quality and flexibility of the service. In my previous role as an IT auditor I have personally seen the damage of such approaches in a number of large organisations.

1,103

Melanie Bhend

University of Nottingham

1,102

Clare Simcock

1,101

David Morris

NUBS

1,100

Kulwant Pawar

University of Nottingham

they provide valuable and timely support

1,099

Simona Mateut

Business School

1,098

Sally Hibbert

1,097

Alexia Yates

1,096

David Achtzehn

UoN, Business School

1,095

Laura Odila Schroeder

University of Nottingham

Outsourcing will not make things cheaper. We need strong in-house IT support on campus AND at every single department. People who care about the institution and can train grad-students working alongside them are important!

1,094

Gongtao Zhang

University of Nottingham

1,093

Aditya Jain

Nottingham University Business School

Please think of the long term, this is not going to save the university any money, only cause more issues and as a result cost more in the future.

1,092

Elaine Jammali

Business School

I currently call upon the IT team on a daily basis. All are helpful, all are friendly, all are knowledgeable and are happy to help. Outsourcing this service would be inconvenient, bordering on useless. Who, from an external environment could possibly have the local knowledge essential to the smooth running of the service.What a daft idea

1,091

Sarah Wilson

University of Nottingham

1,090

Simon Bishop

Nottingham

Outsourcing very frequently leads to unintended consequences and additional costs (financial and non-financial), not considered in the initial proposition. Large public sector organisations within our region have recently reversed outsourcing contracts at considerable cost following years of difficulties.

1,089

Laurie Cohen

Nottingham University

1,088

Lara Bianchi

NUBS

1,087

Gertjan Lucas

Nottingham Unversity Business School

1,086

Aristeidis Dadoukis

1,085

Amanda Power

University of Oxford

1,084

Tom Coogan

Nottingham Unversity Business School

1,083

Tommaso Faccio

University of Nottingham

1,082

Teresa Corcoran

University of Nottingham

I think internal staff are better placed to support the University - other proposals which have aparently led to cost savings (like project transform) seem to still be having long lasting impact of staff members who are trying to fill the gaps left by the new structure for the sake of the University reputation - outside of their job remit and in addition to their day to day roles

1,081

Thanaset Chevapatrakul

University of Nottingham

1,080

Simon Parker

Nottingham University Business School

1,079

Robert Pasley

University of Nottingham

This will just make things worse after a rather botched implementation recently

1,078

Jeannie Holstein

University of Nottingham

1,077

Marek Korczynski

University of Nottingham

1,076

Ian Forrest

University of Oxford

This move will degrade university staff conditions, and worsen the service for teaching and research.

1,075

Sian Webb

University of Nottingham

1,074

Amanda Colclough

University of Nottingham

1,073

Georgia Walker

School of Education

Such a helpful team; always on hand to offer assistance and support where necessary.

1,072

Brian Logan

University of Nottingham

1,071

Nicholas Thom

University of Nottingham

On top of the Campus Solutions fiasco, this plan (if true) would only add to the madness. When will leaders learn to consult those who actually know things instead of believing figures quoted by administrators?

1,070

Mark Gallagher

University of Nottingham

1,069

Jean-Xavier Ridon

University of Nottingham

1,068

Amy Hurst

University of Nottingham

1,067

Emma Swain

School of Education

1,066

Phil Andrews

Ex University of Nottingham

1,065

Gareth Gee

University of Nottingham

Outsourcing university services is always a bad idea. Outsourcing IT services is a terrible, stupid idea.

1,064

Gary Hunt

University of Nottingham

1,063

Sarah Burton

University of Nottingham

1,062

Tobias Bast

University of Nottingham

1,061

Matthew Kinloch

Dumbarton Oaks Research Library (Harvard University)/Austrian Academy of Sciences (Vienna)

1,060

David Matless

School of Geography

1,059

Robin Vandome

University of Nottingham

1,058

Ruth Dilly

Queen's University Belfast

1,057

Ewan Dinwiddie

1,056

Helen Barrow

1,055

Heather Kirk

Nottinghamshire

1,054

Dan Simpkins

Nottingham

Been there before with outsourcing in the past (to India - was a dissaster), fear if it goes ahead we'll lose a lot of excellent skilled ppl

1,053

Imogen Worrall

University of Nottingham

1,052

Bindi Brook

University of Nottingham

1,051

Adam Sharman

University of Nottingham

1,050

Chris Gratton

University of Nottingham

1,049

Mike Byrne

University of Nottingham (now retired)

1,048

Maurice Hendrix

University of Nottingham

1,047

MIRIAM MORGAN

Nottingham College

Not acceptable to privatise in this way

1,046

Nick Mount

University of Nottingham

1,045

Scott Weightman

1,044

S Huggett

UoN

1,043

Beatrice Wallbank

University of Nottingham, PhD student

The IT service in the university is excellent and friendly and there is no excuse for this outsourcing move. Evidence is building daily that outsourcing at Nottingham is harming its students, staff and the university as a whole.

1,042

Megan Doole

University of Nottingham

1,041

Claire Taylor

Dept of History

A terrible idea. When has out-sourcing ever worked in a huge and complex organisation. I'm thinking NHS cleaners/porters, prisons, detention centres. Even outsourcing photocopying hasn't worked here! The IT services seems to be getting the blame for the Campus Solutions debarcle.

1,040

Nina Charami

University of Nottingham

1,039

Louise Mullany

University of Nottingham

1,038

James D

University of Nottingham

Universities are defined by the information contained and transmitted via their IT infrastructure more than most institutions. It is reckless to abrogate responsibility for such infrastructure. The experiment has been run with Campus solutions and the learning is readily apparent. Current IT support is excellent and responsive. External contracts that reward time not performance.are a disaster

1,037

Ian Taylor

University of Nottingham

1,036

Ute Hirsekorn

Outrageous! Support services that the institution has outsourced in the last 20 years are not working effectively, e.g. cleaning services, occupational health. Campus Solution NOT working, Xerox machines work very badly, not maintained enough. Services broken! IT outsourcing, we might as well close down! All on the cheap! What an appalling way of treating current valuable staff!

1,035

David Osborne

Department of Classics and Archaeology

Academic users depend heavily on a well-supported IT service. Outsourcing this function to an external company which has no emotional investment in the University can only result in a degradation in service. Outsourcing has been tried and rejected in other universities so why does Nottingham in its hubris think it knows best and not learn from the lessons of others?

1,034

Jordi Garrell

UoN

1,033

June McCombie

University of Nottingham

1,032

Antony Reed

University of Nottingham

1,031

Heike Schaumberg

University of Reading UCU Committee

1,030

Emily Reason

Humanities

I have spent the last 17 years working in the NHS and have seen a lot of outsourcing and centralisation. The fact is that off-site people simply don't care about the organisation the same way as those who live and work with it day to day. They don't have the same sense of pride and belonging as "our own" people, and standards never fail to suffer as a result.

1,029

Catrin Fear

PhD student, university of Nottingham

The current outsourced it at the university has been appalling, leaving both staff and students worse off. The university needs to make decisions that benefits them, not the institution financially. I know students that had mental breakdowns over worrying that the system stopped them receiving money and attending lectures, for which they pay £9,000 for.

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