Staff at The Open University have ¡°overwhelmingly¡± backed a motion of no confidence in the vice-chancellor, Peter Horrocks.

Members of the institution¡¯s branch of the University and College Union said that Mr Horrocks¡¯ position had become ¡°untenable¡± after he claimed that the institution¡¯s distance-learning model had allowed academics ¡°to get away with not being teachers for decades¡±.

The vice-chancellor, who has since apologised for his ¡°careless language¡±, was already under fire over plans to?cut courses and jobs?as part of a?restructuring project?that aims to save ?100?million from the institution¡¯s ?420?million annual budget. He then sparked further ire?by describing this as ¡°reprioritising¡± in an interview on BBC Radio?4¡¯s?Today?programme.

The no-confidence motion called on Mr Horrocks to step down as soon as possible to ¡°avoid damage to the public image of the OU¡±.

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¡°On the basis of recent events, he has shown that he does not understand the university¡¯s teaching model, nor the importance of the OU¡¯s research base,¡± the motion said.

The emergency branch meeting also passed a motion calling for the withdrawal of the threat of hundreds of redundancies and another calling for the local branch to consult members about possible industrial action.

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It comes just days before a specially convened meeting of the university council on 9 April.

¡°Staff have made it quite clear what they think about the vice-chancellor¡¯s recent behaviour,¡± said UCU regional official Lydia Richards. ¡°The Open University is a magnificent institution, and it needs someone at the helm who understands its unique position and who will talk up its brilliant staff.

¡°It¡¯s time for a change at the top and time for a halt to damaging cuts that would destroy the Open University as we know it. We hope for the future of the Open University that council members will recommend a change at the top when they meet on Monday afternoon.¡±

An OU spokesman said: ¡°We are midway through an ambitious programme to transform the way we teach and support our students so that they have the best preparation for the challenges of a rapidly changing world.

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¡°The plans have sparked a lively internal debate as well as a degree of concern. We can confirm that these concerns will be discussed more thoroughly at a special meeting of the university council and later at the OU¡¯s academic governing body, the senate.¡±

sophie.inge@timeshighereducation.com