THE lecturers union has passed a vote of no confidence in Bournemouth University vice chancellor Paul Curran.

Members voted 93.4 per cent in favour of the motion because of their anger at the speed and scale of Prof Curran's over-haul of the university.

The board has backed Prof Curran while the students union passed a vote of no confidence in October.

University College Union (UCU) branch secretary Paul Freedman said: "Our fear is the bedrock of what makes a decent university will be trashed in a rush to change."

Prof Curran and the university board say they are modernising the university. They want it leaner, bigger and more competitive in the battle for students.

The variety of courses are being cut back, some staff have been made redundant and more academics brought in, and extras like foreign language facilities have been scrapped.

The six-year plan is due for completion in 2012. More than £100m is being invested in facilities, including more onsite accommodation.

The lecturers are especially angered by the extra emphasis placed on research which they fear will cut students' time with teachers.

They also feel the top brass do not care about them - best seen in the reaction to an interview last year with Dr Curran in the Daily Echo which alleged shortcomings in teaching at the university.

The UCU labelled it his "Gerald Ratner" moment.

Mr Curran was not available to respond directly.

A Bournemouth University spokesman said: "We have worked closely with the union over the past few months and have held meetings.

"The university board is listening to what is being said and they still feel that the changes are important.

"It's not true we are abandoning teaching - we are trying to encourage out staff to engage in other activities."

Alan Frost, the head of the board, said in a statement: "We understand some staff are feeling concerned by a period of unprecedented change.

"Our strategy is underpinned by a passionate commitment to academic excellence and student-centred, education."

The UCU has 290 members out of 600 academic staff. It said 100 posts have gone since Prof Curran started in 2006.