DEAKIN University is obligated to enable the transfer of the Warrnambool Campus to a new provider, city council chief executive Bruce Anson says.
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Mr Anson said Deakin had failed to commit to the city since announcing it was reviewing how its Warrnambool Campus operated last month.
At Monday night’s council meeting councillor Brian Kelson bought forward a notice of motion, which was passed with a unanimous vote. It outlined the council’s support for retaining a university campus in the city, with a preference for Deakin to remain.
“But they have done nothing to commit and nothing to provide certainty to their students or staff,” Mr Anson
“If they are going, I urge them to work with the federal government to facilitate the transfer to a third party.
“Time is critical, Warrnambool needs to be listed in course guides for next year and they need to be finalised by May.”
Mr Anson said Ballarat-based Federation University had been in discussion with Deakin. He said there are more students from Warrnambool enrolled at Federation University than at Deakin Warrnambool.
“Students are choosing to take opportunities in Ballarat rather then in Warrnambool,” he said.
“Federation University took over the Gippsland Campus of Monash University and managed to increase the numbers from 11000 to 2500.
“Their bread and butter is courses the communities they serve want to take.”
Mr Anson said the council would be sad to see Deakin leave the city, but would welcome a new university that has a commitment to higher education in rural and regional communities.
