More than 70 academics from the Australian National University's respected School of Culture, History and Language have spoken out against possible budget cuts and job losses.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
With a budget deficit of about $1.5 million this year and an external review calling for sweeping changes to governance and courses from 2016, staff have been told that between 30-40 per cent could need to go to fix the school's balance sheet.
After a faculty meeting this month, a final decision on the possible cuts of as many as a third of the current staff has been delayed until at least February, and academics are seeking support from their professional associations.
An ANU spokesman said this week that no plans had been finalised before Christmas, but the National Tertiary Education Union ACT division's secretary Rachael Bahl warned that any funding cuts or job losses could see vital expertise and respected academics lost to the university forever.
The union has distributed a list of staff who endorse concerns about the school's future, saying they wanted to work to protect the school's legacy and the "intellectual health of Australia".
Among the signatories are Fukuoka Academic Prize laureate Tessa Morris Suzuki and Australian Research Council fellowship laureate Nick Evans.
The review panel, which included academics from Harvard, Duke, Hawaii and Macquarie universities, said a focus on high level research had reduced cost-effectiveness in undergraduate education.
Professor Evans said the school had the largest concentration of Asian-Pacific language expertise in Australia.
"Australia arguably has the worst level of foreign language learning of any OECD country," he said.
"Yet the amazing range of language experts at CHL is one of our best assets in turning this around, at a time when more than ever Australians need to expand their mindsets to the sort of deep, empathetic, culturally-informed engagement that the study of language provides."
Union representative Assa Doron said expertise on the Asia Pacific region was central to the Australia's future.
"Understanding and engaging with Asia and the Pacific is precisely what will give Australia an advantage in the new global economic climate when the mining boom ends and the Asia-Pacific trade agreement enters into force," Associate Professor Doron said.
Australian National University College of Asia and the Pacific dean Veronica Taylor said no plan had been finalised.
"ANU has received an independent review of the School of Culture, History and Languages," Professor Taylor said.
"The review was designed to ensure the long-term sustainability of the school, which is widely recognised as one of the finest centres for research and education on Asia and the Pacific.
"The university is still considering the review recommendations and staff at CHL have been kept informed of the contents of the review."
Any decisions on future staffing levels or school budgets were yet to be made.
"The university is continuing to consult with all staff at [the school] and will work closely with staff and the NTEU on any proposed changes or restructure," Professor Taylor said.
