Vice Chancellor Jane den Hollander revealed to staff during a briefing on Friday that Deakin is considering leaving Warrnambool – where it has been a significant piece of the city’s fabric for 25 years.

The university mid-last year announced it was working on a strategy that would make the campus’ future sustainable for the next five years. Discussions had always been about how the university could reinvigorate the campus’ declining student numbers. Technological advances changing careers, qualifications and course delivery were central to the reasons behind the strategy.

Leaving the city had never been discussed publicly. Friday’s revelation shocked Federal Member for Wannon Dan Tehan.

Staff reportedly took the discussions in their stride, thankful the rumours – denied for months by Deakin – had been confirmed.

Staff and students have been assured it’s business as usual this year and students starting degrees will be able to finish them.

Professor den Hollander said Deakin was committed to finding solutions that would “drive increased participation in higher education across the region” that would be “more sustainable and better suited to local education and job requirements”. Whether it stays to play an ongoing role looks unlikely.

Deakin’s position is partly blamed on the region’s low year 12 attainment rate. In other words, we have ourselves to blame.

But now the university, a key player in the ongoing campaign to change that concerning trend, is effectively waving the white flag by considering leaving. That’s a body blow that could have dire consequences for the region – not just now, but in the long-term, should another operator not be found.

Deakin also has itself to blame. It has pursued identical course offerings across its campuses instead of letting Warrnambool, with smaller class sizes, have points of difference. It has also failed to identify or pursue new courses outside traditional offerings. The south-west is supposedly central to food bowl strategies. There are no farming or agri-business courses in the region following the demise of Glenormiston. The region is fast becoming a horse racing training hub. A common link between the two is vet science. Could Deakin explore it?

The region needs a thriving university. Deakin needs to help change a culture of low attainment with innovation and support the community that has supported it.