CLOSING its Barking campus could force some of UEL's poorest students to drop out over increased transport costs and travel times, London Euro-MP Jean Lambert has warned.
The Green MEP's comments came after it was reported UEL is planning to relocate its Barking campus to Docklands and Stratford to make way for a new housing development in Longbridge Road.
Mrs Lambert has written to UEL registrar Alan Ingle calling for the closure' s impact on disadvantaged students to be completed before a final decision is taken over the future of the Longbridge Road campus.
"Its presence in Barking strongly reflects UEL's excellent record on attracting students from a range of disadvantaged groups," said Mrs Lambert.
"This proposed
closure will place an unnecessary strain on public transport and increase travelling
costs for some of London's most disadvantaged students, with a knock-on effect
on drop-out rates, UEL's
attraction to overseas students and local retailers."
She added: "UEL's management must ensure it takes into account the social and educational impact of withdrawing from Barking and resists making a decision on purely commercial grounds."
ENDS
For more information please
contact Ben Duncan on 020 7407 6280, 07973 823358 or at press@greenmeps.org.uk