NTEU Media Release: Australian National University staff reject Vice Chancellor's strategy to 're-position' University
A large meeting of National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU) members from the Australian National University today rejected a strategy to ‘re-position’ the institution being proposed by Vice Chancellor Ian Young.
The strategy outlines $40 million in cuts, including $25 million in staffing cuts.
The meeting heard there were serious inconsistencies in the financial data provided to staff by the Vice Chancellor to justify his strategy, which would potentially lead to the forced redundancy of at least 150 academic and general staff at the university.
“The Vice-Chancellor appears to be manufacturing a financial crisis,” said Stephen Darwin, NTEU ACT Division Secretary.
“This is being used, amongst other things, to justify the introduction of retrospective performance criteria design to legitimate broad-scale staff redundancies at ANU.”
“It’s puzzling why the Vice-Chancellor is proposing this radical and destructive action given the strong and enviable national and international reputation ANU has established for high quality research and teaching.”
“These cuts are being proposed precisely at the time when the expectations of ANU’s research capability have been elevated and the student population is growing.”
“The meeting endorsed the need for further government investment in the university to ensure it is able to continue to fulfil its national responsibilities to offer internationally leading research and high quality teaching and learning.”
“Staff attending today’s meeting said they are more than willing to work with the University to achieve and identify opportunities for improved performance, in fact some excellent proposals were put by members to the meeting today.”
“But before this can happen, the Vice-Chancellor must abandon his negative and destructive proposal and commit to work more constructively with staff and students.”
“NTEU Members agreed to rally with ANU students on Thursday April 26 to further highlight the dangers of these radical proposals.”
For information and comment:
Stephen Darwin, NTEU ACT Division Secretary: 0433747007
Comments
[ -1 ] Without prejudice, the Vogons have taken over yet another university. Vale, Australian research and teaching.
Like • Dislike •[ -1 ] Stephen Darwin is a good advocate for members.
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