Vice Chancellor Jane den Hollander announced an “ongoing, long-term and more sustainable model” for the campus on Monday.

She gave no indication on how many jobs would be lost through voluntary redundancies.

“A reduction in staff numbers as a result of the proposed decreased course offering would be necessary, but this will be worked through compassionately and via a period of consultation with staff,” she said.

The campus’ golf course and corporate centre next to the Civic Green will close.

Professor den Hollander said Deakin would look to rezone non-required land and sell it in 2018/2019.

Deakin is exploring the option of a new Bachelor of Agribusiness at the campus which she said could play to the region’s agricultural strengths.

She said the university would work to identify opportunities to create pathways with South West TAFE, Beyond the Bell and secondary schools.

Exploring international markets and potential opportunities for development of Deakin’s Institute of Koorie Education programs in the region are also initiatives Professor den Hollander is hopeful will attract students.

Deakin University Student Association (DUSA) Warrnambool representative Thomas Campbell said Professor den Hollander met with staff and students to discuss the changes.

“Speaking to students, all are happy they will be able to finish their courses at the campus,” he said.

“It looks as though the campus will survive, but of course there are broader implications. Deakin will need to make an effort, and so will the region. Students have said they are concerned about staff as they have close connections with the people who work here.” 

UPDATE 12.25pm: Professor den Hollander has updated students on the campus’ future and has indicated the golf course at the campus will close.

She also said the Warrnambool Corporate Centre will close, effective from Janaury 1 next year.

There will be a reduction in Campus maintenance, including closure of the golf course and a lower service level of grounds and facilities.

Professsor den Hollander said the State Government had expressed support for the rezoning of parts of the campus not required by the university and indicated it was Deakin’s intention to sell that land in 2018/2019.

Courses in which there will be no further intakes from January 1, 2017 and will be taught out include: 

Bachelor Of Arts

Bachelor Of Early Childhood Education

Bachelor Of Psychology (Honours)

Bachelor Of Fisheries And Aquaculture

Bachelor Of Arts/Bachelor Of Laws

Bachelor Of Arts (Psychology)

Bachelor Of Environmental Science (Honours)

Bachelor Of Arts/Bachelor Of Commerce

Bachelor Of Management

Bachelor Of Environmental Science (Freshwater Biology)

Bachelor Of Management

Bachelor Of Arts/Bachelor Of Management

Associate Degree Of Arts

Associate Degree Of Arts, Business And Sciences

Associate Degree Of Arts, Business And Sciences

Graduate Diploma Of Psychological Science

Courses that will be offered:

Bachelor Of Nursing

Bachelor Of Education (Primary)

Bachelor Of Environmental Science (Marine Biology)

Bachelor Of Commerce

Bachelor Of Nursing/bachelor Of Midwifery

 Bachelor Of Health Sciences

Bachelor Of Laws

Bachelor Of Psychological Science

Bachelor Of Nursing/bachelor Of Psychological Science

Bachelor Of Commerce/bachelor Of Laws

Associate Degree Of Education

Doctor Of Philosophy

UPDATE 11.38am: South West Coast MP Roma Britnell says Deakin’s commitment is an important first step.

“While it’s disappointing there will be a reduction in course offerings and staffing levels, it’s great the University will remain in Warrnambool, it’s an important step in the right direction,” Mrs Britnell said. 

“Deakin need to show the evidence of how they have responded to community engagement, now and into the future.

“Deakin need to show that when we as a community engage they are listening to those concerns, are prepared to make changes and demonstrate how they have done this, ensuring a relationship with the community continues.”

Mrs Britnell said it was pleasing to hear agriculture courses were being explored.

“Our region is an agricultural powerhouse, a food bowl. Marcus Oldham College in Geelong has been offering agriculture courses successfully for years, proving there is demand and it can work,” she said.

“If it is done right, I have no doubt it can be successful here too.”

EARLIER: Deakin University will stay in Warrnambool, however there will be job losses.

Vice Chancellor Jane den Hollander has announced a proposed “ongoing, long-term and more sustainable model” for its Warrnambool campus.

Professor den Hollander is meeting with staff and students today to confirm the university’s commitment to the region and discuss proposed changes to the campus.

”A reduction in staff numbers as a result of the proposed decreased course offering would be necessary, but this will be worked through compassionately and via a period of consultation with staff, beginning today,” Professor den Hollander said in a statement.

The consultation process will help to determine how the reduction in staff numbers will occur, including the option for a voluntary separation process.

Professor den Hollander said it was not possible for Deakin to remain in Warrnambool on a business as usual basis in the face of declining enrolments and increasing annual losses.

“If something does not change these losses are predicted to rise and the campus is increasingly unsustainable,” Professor den Hollander said.

Deakin will continue to explore opportunities to grow and sustain the campus into the future, including the consideration of a new Bachelor of Agribusiness unique to the Warrnambool campus.

Professor den Hollander said agribusiness could be an exciting new course that plays to the region’s agricultural strengths.

“We will work with the community to explore whether there is sufficient demand to get this new Bachelor of Agribusiness up and running,” she said.

Professor den Hollander said all students currently enrolled in non-ongoing courses at the Warrnambool campus would be able to complete their studies at the campus.

Under the proposal, Deakin will continue to offer Nursing, Midwifery, Health Sciences, Psychological Sciences, Education (Primary), Commerce, Environmental Science (Marine Biology), Law and Commerce/Law at the Warrnambool campus. The university will also continue to offer the Associate Degree of Education and several PhD courses

MORE TO COME.