From July, all loss-making courses at the university¡¯s Centre for Community Engagement (CCE) will be axed.

Summer school activities, sign language classes and deaf studies will continue at the centre, but evening classes and other part-time adult education courses will end.

The closure puts at risk the jobs of the centre¡¯s 12 academic staff, three administrators and 1 associate tutors unless they can be relocated within the university.

Sussex has blamed changes to higher education funding for the closure, saying it is not feasible to subsidise the centre¡¯s ?350,000 annual loss using fees from full-time students.

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But the centre¡¯s supporters have urged the university to reconsider the decision and 1,500 people have signed an online petition against the cuts.

Andrew Gammon, who gained a diploma in archeology from the centre, said the decision was ¡°short-termist¡±.

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¡°I understand the economic reasons given for why CCE cannot be kept going exactly as it is,¡± he said.

¡°But a more creative imaginative approach is needed - not just one that sees the possibilities of keeping the centre going as it is or effective closure.

¡°The university is committed to widening participation and access. This should be geared not just to young students, but also to adult learners, part-time learners and the local community.¡±

Michael Farthing, vice-chancellor of Sussex, said the courses earmarked for closure were mainly leisure-based and did not lead to professional qualifications or progression to degree course.

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¡°We regret that this proposal would end evening classes and day schools which have been enjoyed by local people over the years¡±, he said.

¡°However, given the government¡¯s policies regarding the funding of higher education, the university can no longer support such courses.¡±

jack.grove@tsleducation.com