AROUND 100 students held a musical protest against threats to shut down courses at their college.
North Glasgow College is reviewing provision across all departments and is offering staff voluntary redundancy.
The Springburn college, which made £1million of cuts last year, said courses could close in areas where staff come forward for redundancy or if there is duplication with other institutions.
The move comes as further education colleges across Scotland face cash cuts and extensive restructuring.
Yesterday, students held a protest at threats to cut Music and Sound courses.
Claire Haswell, of the College's Students' Association, said: "We are looking for answers from the principal on why, at a time of economic uncertainty and when companies are shedding staff, those who create are being punished.
"These courses and others like them across Scotland's colleges develop our artistic talent. They need to be protected.
"The college needs to re-evaluate its decision to cut these vital courses and reinstate them, so that arts in Scotland can continue to be supported and encouraged."
David Mackinnon, a music student at the college, said: "These aren't just music courses, they prepare you for being self-employed and how to take advantage of future career opportunities. I've not only been taught music, but how to write an academic essay, structure a business plan and pay my own taxes.
"North Glasgow College needs to provide its students not only with answers about why course are being cut."
College Principal Ronnie Knox said North Glasgow, which employs 232 staff, needed to find savings of £823,000 in 2012/13.
He said: "The first stage is looking at a voluntary severance scheme and once we know the interest in that, we can look at the courses we offer.
"We are already reviewing all our courses to see where there is duplication.
"We will do everything in our power to ensure no student is disadvantaged."
Robin Parker, President of the National Union of Students Scotland, said: "It was great to see a standing room only crowd of students ask tough questions of the North Glasgow Principal.
"The creativity shown at the protest that followed was further proof of why arts and other courses in Scotland need to be preserved."
ewan.fergus@ eveningtimes.co.uk
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