A STUDENT union president yesterday waded into a row over two suspended lecturers at Coleg Gwent.

Adam Smith, president of Coleg Gwent student union, said he “fully supports and backs” students whose complaints led to the suspensions of the tutors.

Mr Smith contradicted claims that students were told to write a statement about the Pontypool lecturers, who are also union officials, saying they made their statements willingly.

The Argus reported on Saturday that more than 200 lecturers with the University and College Union called for the motion against senior management after the suspensions of the two lecturers, who are also union officials.

Mr Smith said: “As president of the student union, I fully support and back the students that have been involved with this complaint.”

He said that during a termly meeting students raised an issue regarding the two lecturers although no names were mentioned.

“Because of the nature of the incident, learners filed a complaint against the tutors in question, which has resulted in two tutors being suspended pending investigation,” he said. “Several students made statements willingly about this incident, even after they were advised that they did not have to if they felt uncomfortable.”

In its official notification of its member’s motion of no confidence in principal Jim Bennett, the University and College Union said the wishes and demands of Coleg Gwent students are being given precedence over those of staff.

In a letter to Coleg Gwent’s governing body, officials listed a raft of issues that have hit lecturer morale.

“The statements, wishes and demands of students seem always to be given precedence over those of staff,” the letter said.

“The latter now increasingly report feeling stressed, fearful and apprehensive in carrying out their employment role.”

It added there had been a number of un-negotiated changes to terms and conditions, such as to annual leave and a lower pay rate for some teaching.

The decision by the college to join a new funding scheme will also “have a negative impact” on employment, the letter said.

Margaret Phelan, of UCU Wales, said she has offered the principal Jim Bennett a meeting on Friday to resolve matters.

If matters are not resolved the union will take industrial action, she said.

'We are listening to our students' - Coleg Gwent 

COLEG Gwent said it listens “very carefully to what our learners say about their experiences” – and said the lecturers were suspended after serious student complaints.

“This includes asking them to reflect on both the positive and negative aspects that they have experienced.

We always act on their feedback in order to improve the service we provide for them,” a spokesman said.

“This has been recognised externally as best practice in the further education sector.”

The spokesman said there is an on-going disciplinary investigation underway into the conduct of two lecturers as a result of serious student complaints.

“Part of the disciplinary process is to establish the facts surrounding any complaints made and gather evidence; this will involve interviewing relevant parties that could well include learners and staff,” the spokesman added.