INCENSED staff have criticised Bournemouth University’s “double standards” over a Christmas lunch at a luxury hotel.

The IT and Estates department is having a three-course meal at The Royal Bath on Friday, December 17.

The meal comes just as jobs are under threat – the higher education funding budget was cut by 42 per cent in October. The university’s 18,000 students also face a three-fold increase in tuition fees to make up the shortfall.

“This is a gesture way above what is within decent levels,” said one staff member. “All staff in the department were invited – that must be getting on for 170.

“A subsidised meal would have been sufficient and acceptable to both taxpayers and the students.

“We keep being told ‘customer service’ and ‘efficiency’ must be our driving force. Then for the management to think this is a good and efficient use of our customers’ money makes my blood boil.”

A Bournemouth University spokesman said: “The department concerned got a very competitive price of £19.95 per head.

“As with so many organisations at this time of year, the department wants to say ‘thank you’ to its staff for all of their hard work throughout the year.

“Like all university expenditure, continuing this arrangement beyond 2010 will be subject to review, not least because of tighter times to come.”

Neneh Pepperell, the communications officer for Bournemouth’s students union, said the meal was being paid for out of a yearly budget that was not affected by the cuts.

John Brissenden, branch secretary of the lecturers union, the UCU, said: “There’s no question that in the current climate of savage cuts to public spending, people will understandably look askance at extravagance, whether that’s in the public or private sector.”

A UCU spokesman said: “Nobody believes Christmas should be cancelled, but more thought needs to be given about where priorities lie at the moment.”