The University of Bath and University of Bath UCU are delighted to announce a new Sanctuary Scholarship, named in honour of the late Marie Morley, the President of the University of Bath UCU branch, the trade union for academic and academic-related staff at the university, from 2009 to 2014.
At its May 2019 AGM, Bath UCU branch members voted unanimously to increase their monthly subs to fund an annual Sanctuary Scholarship, available to asylum seekers undertaking postgraduate study at the University. By committing to ongoing funding, the union members are supporting the sustainability of the University’s Sanctuary Scholarship programme and ensuring ongoing opportunities for forced migrant students. The scholarship consists of a bursary of £15,000, funded equally by the Union and the University (including a contribution from the University Alumni Fund), and a fee waiver covering the full cost of tuition fees.
Commenting on this announcement, Professor Peter Lambert, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Learning & Teaching) and Chair of the Asylum Seeker/Refugee Working Group said: “I feel privileged to be the current Chair of this Group and am delighted to support this new Scholarship and the securing of funding to ensure its sustainability. This is a wonderful example of a true collaboration between the University and the UCU, providing benefits to some of the least advantaged in society.”
During her five years as University of Bath UCU branch President, Marie also served as a caseworker supporting union members in difficulty, and as chair of the South West regional committee of UCU. She had a well-deserved reputation as an inspirational and courageous trade-unionist, guided by her deeply-held Christian values and an integrity which led her to demand transparency in university governance and fair treatment for all staff. She is fondly remembered for her kindness and unflinching commitment to the fight for equality and social justice. Welcoming the scholarship, her husband Alan Arthurs said: “Marie left school at the age of sixteen. She returned to education nearly twenty years later and gained a place at the University of Bath, where she was awarded a First Class degree. She was passionate, selfless and principled and made many contributions both inside and outside the university.”
The University currently supports 18 students with refugee and asylum seeker status at UG and PGT level, offering extensive personal, academic, financial and pastoral support.
Bath UCU continues to work with Bath Welcomes Refugees, offering support with university and scholarship applications to local refugees and asylum seekers