ECA principal retires as merger reaches final stages

Principal of the Edinburgh College of Art Professor Ian Howard, a strong advocate of the merger, has announced his retirement, effective 31 July 2011.

The news comes as the merger between the University of Edinburgh and ECA was approved by Michael Russell MSP, cabinet secretary for education and lifelong learning.

Prof Howard, who has been principal of ECA and an honorary vice-principal of the University of Edinburgh since 2001, has stated that he wants a new leader to direct the newly-merged college of art.

In an email detailing his decision to step down from his position, Prof Howard said: “Now that we are at the brink of a merger with the University of Edinburgh, I feel it is entirely appropriate that there should be an orderly and planned transition through which a new Principal can take the College forward into a bright future which will provide more opportunities for our students and staff while preserving the best of what we have offered in the past.”

The merger proposal was initially drafted by the University of Edinburgh and ECA and submitted to the Scottish Government in September 2010.

Following the Scottish Government’s written consultation exercise, as well as formal advice from the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) asking him to support the merger, Mr Russell gave his approval.

The proposal will now be taken to the Scottish Parliament for final ratification.

If approved, the merger between the two institutions will take effect on 1 August 2011.

In an official letter addressed to Prof Howard and Professor Sir Timothy O’Shea, principal and vice-chancellor of the University of Edinburgh, Mr Russell highlighted the benefits of the merger, stating that additional support from the University will allow ECA to develop its “identity, ethos, pedagogy and studio-based culture”.

Mr Russell remarked on ECA’s financial instability, citing it as the main reason behind the merger. He wrote: “The SFC’s advice makes plain that the financial situation within the College is unsustainable in the medium to longer term.

“This position should not have been allowed to develop, and it points towards very significant weaknesses in ECA’s internal controls and governance structures at crucial stages in recent years. I therefore regret the fact that the positive option of merger has been overshadowed by these factors.”

If the merger is approved, the SFC is expected to report back to Mr Russell during the first half of the 2011/12 academic year on the financial and academic conditions of ECA.

EUSA president Liz Rawlings spoke to The Journal about the benefits the merger will bring to University of Edinburgh students: "I believe the merger between the University of Edinburgh and the Edinburgh College of Art will have significant benefits for students at both institutions. In particular there are exciting opportunities for inter-disciplinary collaboration and for students at the University to take outside courses in subjects such as photography, fashion or design which currently aren't on offer."

Francesca Miller, president of ECA’s Student Union, also gave her support: “The introduction of Arts, Culture and Environment into Edinburgh College of Art could afford collaborations and integration of methodologies and practices across the creative disciplines, expanding the potential of students already engaged with such areas of interest and those who may never have considered such a field.”