Victoria University in Wellington is shaking things up, and not in a good way. The university is cutting a whopping 229 jobs and axing six courses, including Greek, Latin, and geophysics. Why, you ask? To save a cool $22 million in staff costs.
Vice-chancellor Nic Smith says it’s a “thankless task” but insists they’ve been thorough in their decision-making. “It has been a thankless task that no one wanted to do,” Smith said. But Dougal McNeill, the Tertiary Education Union branch president, argues that the university could’ve saved more jobs and courses. “There’s a real vacuum of leadership in the humanities here,” he said.
Massey University: Another Blow to Education
Just when you thought it couldn’t get worse, Massey University jumps on the bandwagon. They’re planning to slash over 100 jobs, mainly in natural sciences and food advanced technology. And get this: they’re also shutting down their engineering and plant science courses.
Union organiser Ben Schmidt calls the move “absolutely outrageous.”
We’re talking about losing over half of the staff in natural sciences and food and advanced technology.
Ben Schmidt, Union organiser
Schmidt also pointed out that the timing is terrible, especially with a general election just around the corner.
What’s Next?
Both universities are facing backlash, and rightly so. Victoria University is using part of a $12 million government grant to retain some jobs and programmes. Massey University, on the other hand, is still in consultation, with a final decision expected in November.
Key Takeaways
- Victoria University is cutting 229 jobs and six courses to save $22 million.
- Massey University plans to cut over 100 jobs and shut down several courses.
- Both moves have sparked outrage and concern among staff and students.
So, there you have it. Two major universities are making cuts that could change the face of education in New Zealand. It’s a tough pill to swallow, but it’s the reality we’re facing. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.