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At the University of Hertfordshire, in social sciences, one of four areas closing ("Hertfordshire faces legal action over course closures", THES,December 15), three staff left last summer and six are taking "voluntary severance" on March 31, leaving four staff to carry the named degree routes in politics, sociology and social policy. Of the four, two are leaving this term. In social policy there are now no full-time lecturers. One part-time lecturer has been approached to teach the remaining classes and mark work in January.

Students await plans about social policy teaching in the second semester, starting in February.

When the six leave in March, they are expecting to be offered the opportunity to be recycled as part-time lecturers until the final cohort of students has passed through.

Martin Hewitt
Senior lecturer in social policy, economics, social sciences and tourism, University of Hertfordshire