Government’s Rescue Package: A Ray of Hope?
Imagine this: you’re on a sinking ship, and a lifeboat comes along. You’d think you’re saved, right? Well, not quite. That’s the situation Victoria and Otago universities find themselves in. Despite the government throwing them a $128 million lifeline, they’re still taking on water – in this case, job losses.
Union’s Plea: Time to Rethink?
Dougal McNeill, the head honcho of Victoria University’s Tertiary Education Union, thinks it’s time for a breather. He believes the government’s funding boost should prompt the universities to hit the pause button on their job cut plans:
The Government’s bought us time and I think that’s a vital first step. So this reallocation means there’s room to think and to pause.
But is it that simple?
University Leaders: A Different Perspective
Victoria’s vice-chancellor, Nic Smith, sees things differently. He says the extra funding will only save about a third of the 229 jobs on the chopping block.
Our change programme is seeking to save $33m a year, which is the deficit we’ve incurred,” he explained.
Nic Smith, Victoria Vice-Chancellor
Over at Otago, acting vice-chancellor Helen Nicholson is also unsure about how many jobs the funding might save.
Immediate Relief: A Distant Dream?
While the funding will be beneficial from 2024 onwards, it doesn’t offer any immediate relief for 2023. “We will still have to address those immediate financial issues,” Nicholson said. It seems like the universities are stuck between a rock and a hard place.
Government’s Stance: A Balancing Act
Finance Minister Grant Robertson, who announced the funding, said it was up to the universities to decide if they change their job cut plans. He hinted that some cuts might be unavoidable.
Bear in mind that the two universities that have been most recently covered, Victoria and Otago, both have more staff now than they did before Covid.
So, what’s next for Victoria and Otago universities? Only time will tell. But one thing’s for sure: this is a tough pill to swallow for everyone involved.