IT would be understandable if the threat of job losses at University College Worcester sent shudders running through its St John's campus.

The same will be true of the Faithful City at large, for UCW has been a source of pride and hope since it left life as Worcester College for Higher Education behind.

Principal Dorma Urwin's positive explanation of the £900,000 worth of proposed cuts is to be expected.

She describes the move as a "refocussing" of UCW's "academic portfolio" which will allow her to concentrate on areas where it already has high student demand. But, these days, such words are unfortunately the language of the spin-doctor.

And that's why we can't yet be totally reassured by her news that the savings will be diverted to other activities, or that UCW's "disappointment" at receiving just £9m of Government funding has nothing to do with the pruning.

What we are concerned about are rumours surrounding one professor's resignation around the time staff heard of the proposed cuts.

Was the threat the cause or a coincidence? One source says it was. If so, it would mark worrying divisions in the ranks. Mrs Urwin says it wasn't. We await the individual's verdict.

The conjecture over that one is illuminating, however. But, then, so is Mrs Urwin's contention that the review began before the £9m handout was made public.

Intriguing though the matter is, let's not lose sight of how this will affect the city. In short, should we view it as a setback?

The answer to that depends upon whether or not you see the wisdom in playing the long game.

UCW's not alone in looking carefully at the breadth and balance of courses, and the cash to pay for them.

It's about to take a step up in status which will benefit the city as a whole. So it's in everyone's interest, now and in the years to come, for UCW to be as healthy as possible.

The British educational landscape is littered with institutions which have missed that point.