PROPOSED UNIVERSITY MERGER MUST NOT THREATEN EDUCATIONAL QUALITY OR STAFF JOBS
June 22, 2005
Preserving the quality of education offered to students, the career opportunities and conditions of staff, and the broader public interest must be central features of any merger between Curtin and Murdoch Universities, the National Tertiary Education Union’s (NTEU) Western Australian Division said on Wednesday.
Associate Professor Mick Campion, the President of the West Australian Division of the NTEU, which represents academic and general staff, said he is not surprised by the fact that mergers between universities in the West have come to the fore just now.
“The entire university sector is in turmoil given the lack of adequate government funding and the uncertainties created by the significant changes being made by the Federal Government relating to industrial relations, research funding, teaching, and attempts to concentrate control of the sector in Canberra by drawing powers away from the State governments.”
“Despite assurances from the administrations of both Curtin and Murdoch that there will be no redundancies if a merger between Curtin and Murdoch was to eventuate, many staff will be deeply concerned by the news of the proposed mergers.”
“The NTEU would be seeking cast iron guarantees on this issue before it could even consider recommending support for a merger to its members.”
“More broadly any proposal for a merger would need to be able to clearly demonstrate how it will improve the quality of provisions for students and how it will benefit the West Australian community more generally in terms of its implications for research.”
As one step in its efforts to ensure adequate discussion and consultation, the NTEU will be seeking the views of staff, students and members of the community at a Community Information Forum it has organised for 5.15pm on Monday 27th June in the Beazley Lecture Theatre on Bush Court at Murdoch University.
For information and comment:
Associate Professor Mick Campion: (08) 9360 2922