Australian National University change management proposals create angst with staff, students

Students in the College of Engineering and Computer Science were told in by email that two undergraduate majors and two masters of engineering augmentations would be discontinued from semester 1, 2021.

National Tertiary Education Union secretary for ACT division Dr Cathy Day said members were concerned decisions had been made before the consultation period.

"We don't think the consultation is genuine. We've asked the university for more time to consult widely."

An ANU spokesman said if program changes were confirmed the disestablishment of any degree program would not occur immediately.

"Consultation with students and formal university approvals would be required before any changes could be implemented."

Seventeen staff from the college have already taken a voluntary separation. A further 19 positions are expected to go and 15 new positions would be created under the proposal.

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In the College of Arts and Social Sciences, 35 staff members have accepted voluntary separations, a further 12 jobs are expected to go and 12 new positions would be recruited.

Students of Arabic within the Centre for Arab and Islamic Studies were shocked to discover that the three academics who teach the language would have to reapply for one full-time position to be supplemented by sessional teachers.

Enrolments in the Arabic language program peaked at 365 in 2017, declining to 250 in 2020.

Students said they were concerned the language had been singled out in the proposal and worried the quality of the course could decline after the staffing changes.

"They are so passionate, dedicated and welcoming. They are truly amazing teachers," one student Hayley Garcia said.

"To hear that they could potentially be let go, it's heartbreaking."

An ANU spokesman said the university was confident it would continue to offer a high-quality Arabic language program that would be more economically viable.

"Any future student wishing to study Arabic can be assured that they will have a place in a high-quality and rewarding program, and welcomed to ANU if they meet the University's entry requirements."

The union is also concerned a proposal to outsource the printing, audio visual and telephony services would be expanded to outsourcing more services.

The ANU spokesman said a final decision had not been made and the university had a blend of in-house and external providers for its IT services and infrastructure.