THE future of a Southampton university hangs in the balance as staff brace themselves for scores of potential job losses.

Staff at Southampton Solent University have been told the institution needs to make “significant” savings over the next two years with a voluntary severance scheme already rolled out.

Now a ballot calling for a vote of no confidence in vice chancellor Graham Baldwin has led to union members voting against the professor by a massive 91.5 per cent on a 78 per cent turnout.

After calling for a ‘moratorium’ on potential redundancies and asking for £9 million investment in recruiting new students, members of UCU and Unison held the ballot when the Prof Baldwin – who earned more than £300,000 including £10,560 ‘performance pay’ in 2016-2017 – continued to roll out the redundancy scheme.

A source close to the university said the job losses could come into effect within 18 months.

Describing the situation as “pretty drastic” the source said the loss of around a fifth of the university’s employees could result in it losing its autonomy – or even ceasing to exist.

He added that the university has been “haemorrhaging” students, having failed to recruit enough or to retain those who take up better offers when they get their results.

Now unions will meet to discuss ‘next steps,’ after the no confidence vote.

In a statement, Prof Baldwin confirmed the job losses but said they would not affect the running of the university.

He said: “We remain committed to maintaining and improving our reputation, and will continue to invest in the university, our facilities and in our exceptional student experience. In response to changes and challenges across the higher education sector, and in line with other institutions, Southampton Solent University has committed to making financial savings over the next two years. As a result, we can confirm the voluntary severance scheme has been opened.

“No target for redundancies has been set and our focus throughout this process will be on ensuring we retain a skilled and agile workforce that can meet the evolving needs of the sector and continue to deliver our excellent and distinctive offer into the future.”

UCU official Moray McAuley said: “This vote is a clear signal that staff are deeply dissatisfied with the university’s leadership and concerned about the implications of the plan to make significant financial savings. The unions will meet next week to discuss the outcome and agree next steps.”

The news of redundancies comes just months after the £33m bright red Spark building was opened on East Park Terrace.

The ‘landmark’ construction has provided 40 new learning spaces with specially designed audio-visual and teaching technology.