DEAKIN University’s Warrnambool campus is at a critical point and needs a clear plan for its future, the National Tertiary Education Union says.
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The union says the campus is at risk of “death by a thousand cuts” and called on Deakin to make a long term commitment and to develop a plan to ensure the campus remains viable and vibrant.
The comments come after a restructure saw three jobs axed from the school of creative arts and communications in Warrnambool.
But the university said the school’s restructure was needed to help make it sustainable for the future.
NTEU Victorian division secretary Colin Long said the restructure and job losses, revealed by The Standard in September, were made before the findings of a review into the Facility of Arts and Education were handed down.
“It seems to be individual decisions to cut courses here and there,” Dr Long said.
“When cuts multiply, that’s when you reach a tipping point. We want Deakin to make a commitment. If they can’t they need to find someone who can.”
Dr Long said the restructure would result in all the school’s Warrnambool-based position being lost which would have impacts on the school of education, because of course offering cross-overs.
The university’s vice-chancellor Jane den Hollander said two core units provided by the school for students in education remain unchanged and current courses, majors and units taught at Warrnambool are not impacted.
“The changes are about the School of Communication and Creative Arts only, and do not affect other parts of the Warrnambool Campus,” Professor den Hollander said.
“Since caps came off university places in 2012, enrolments in our Bachelor of Arts program at Warrnambool has become unsustainable.
“The university-wide school restructure sought to secure ongoing employment for three academic staff at Warrnambool elsewhere at Deakin.
“The three staff have been offered positions at other campuses.”
Dr Long said the Warrnambool campus was struggling to attract students and reducing course offerings would not improve numbers.
He said about 700 students were enrolled at the campus, down from highs of 1200.
