Principal Mapstone’s letter to UUK

UNIVERSITY OF ST ANDREWS AND USS

Dear Alistair

I am writing to you today about USS pensions, and in the interests of our high standards and values of collegiality across the sector.

As you know, the University of St Andrews supports the consideration of any proposal which safeguards our staff’s futures and is sustainable for universities; which is fair to students and all staff; and which recognises the pressing need to reform USS governance.

A sustainable solution however must be based upon a valuation which carries the confidence of member institutions and their staff.

It is now very clear that the current valuation does not command the confidence of USS members at St Andrews, and for that reason we support the call for an independent assessment of the valuation and the scale of the USS deficit. We would also wish to reiterate our call for a review of the governance of USS, which has played a significant role in leading us to the current situation.

 Yours sincerely

Sally Mapstone

Principal and Vice-Chancellor