In November 2003, the university pursued a merger between UCE and Aston University-another university in Birmingham,[26] that, according to The Guardian, "would create an institution of 32,000 students with a £200m turnover".[27] The plans were announced by the then Vice-Chancellor Peter Knight, and approved by lecturers.[28] The new institution would use the established Aston University name, and all UCE staff members' jobs and employment conditions would be kept intact, although Vice-Chancellor Knight would not be part of its management team.