The University of Cumbria are planning to demolish one of the most successful courses on the Lancaster campus for a new (unrelated) building which will leave the course without an on-site theatre for the next 3 years until a decision is made on the future of the course and its dedicated staff members.

The university have said the course will be moving to Carlisle once the current intake of students and a new intake of first years have been taught - but without the Black Box Theatre. Instead initiatives now are to create a new temporary space for the current students to see out their degree. A space that hasn't been revealed nor has anything been promised in terms of what this space will hold.

The campus itself is very small for a university and the proposed architectural designs propose to demolish the theatre to make room for a WALKWAY and New unrelated building to the course.

The students at the University of Cumbria pay £9,000 a year under the promise of their course having a theatre to use for rehearsals and performances.

The lack of interaction between the university and the staff and students of the drama degree has been appalling. Many of the upper-management supporting the motion to take down the building haven't even stepped into the theatre - let alone seen a production. They do not see the extremely hard work students and staff put into everything they do at the Black Box Theatre.



The drama degree brings in a substantial amount of money to the university (of which a staggering 79% goes directly to the university and just 2% to the course). This is a degree that has constantly met targets and has established a fantastic rapport with the community of Lancaster, performing at the Dukes Theatre in Lancaster for over 20 years with positive reception year in year out.



You cannot expect students of this course to pay £9,000 a year for a course they did not sign up for. Taking away the heart of the degree will kill the course and one of the most recognised courses on the campus. A serious explanation is needed by the university about the lack of communication and meetings with students and staff a like.

I urge you all to sign this petition to allow full, cooperative talks to begin with the University and the students who deserve to know why they should still pay £9,000 a year for a course without a theatre to perform in.