Emergency meeting at London Met over fears the university could be shut

STUDENTS at London Metropolitan University have called an emergency tonight over fears the university could be forced to close. The students union has organised the meeting at the university campus in Holloway Road because of concerns that Higher Education

STUDENTS at London Metropolitan University have called an emergency tonight over fears the university could be forced to close.

The students' union has organised the meeting at the university campus in Holloway Road because of concerns that Higher Education Funding Council for England (Hefce) could withdraw its funding.

Members of the governing board and senior staff at the university were given six days by Hefce to "consider their position" over accusations they were claiming funding for thousands of non-existent students.

But nearly two weeks have passed without any action and students across the campuses in Whitechapel, Aldgate and Moorgate fear the funding council could retaliate by withdrawing its cash.

A student union spokesman said: "If the Board of Governors does not resign then LMU will not be funded and the university will be closed down."

London Met insists there have already been management and governance changes at the university, including a new vice-chancellor.