Bosses at the crisis-hit University of East Anglia have suffered a fresh blow after its own students' union declared a lack of confidence in its leadership team.
The UEA is currently facing a financial black hole requiring it to find £45m of savings in the next three years.
It has seen the university's executive team forced to look into staff redundancies amid fierce criticism from workers and local politicians.
Now, the UEA Students' Union (SU) has handed bosses another setback after passing a vote of no confidence in the university's executive board.
PHD student Elise Page, postgraduate officer of the SU, said: "There is so much fear and frustration amongst the students at the university and we really need their voices to be heard.
"All we have been asking for is regular updates on the situation and it is upsetting that we have not been having these."
The vote has been backed by SaveUEA, a group of staff and students that is campaigning against redundancies.
A campaign spokesman said: "This no-confidence vote is a huge development and illustrates the widespread feeling on campus.
"Students and staff stand together when they say the executive team's plans are ill-judged."
It comes as the university confirmed it will be opening talks with trade unions over proposed cost-saving measures.
Acting vice-chancellor Christine Bovis-Cnossen said: “We recognise that this is a difficult time for our staff, students and the whole UEA community.
"We are committed to keeping our staff and students informed as we work to secure our future financial sustainability and reiterate that compulsory redundancies will be a last resort."
A university spokeswoman added: "We have reassured all our students that courses will continue to completion and that they will be supported to complete and achieve the award towards which they’re working.
"They’ll continue to receive academic advice, access to a range of modules and enhancement activities and excellent student support provision.”
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