Campus integral part of uni’s appeal
REGARDING vice-chancellor Rufus Black’s “community group”: Will this “group” be created so that it can report back to UTAS in order for the university to also be better informed and so that reconsideration of the city move is also a possible outcome?
Since when have there not been “meaningful opportunities” for discussion? More money wasted on a group undoubtedly there for one purpose: To inform, not negotiate or listen.
What is the point of “releasing greater detail of the masterplan” unless UTAS is willing to rethink its plan – and shouldn’t that have happened a long time ago?
More money wasted that could have been spent on, gosh, let me think, on education?
No, it appears that our little university – currently ranked 303 in the world on the universally respected QS rankings – should be spent on property development.
When I worked at the University of Melbourne (15 years), incoming international students were interviewed about their reasons for applying.
World rankings was one but the campus itself always came up as a reason, too.
UTAS Sandy Bay has possibly one of the most scenic campuses in the world. It will be failing on both counts if it moves to the CBD.
Sue Muir Lindisfarne
WON’T CHANGE ANYTHING
IN regard to the discussion group regarding the sale of the UTAS campus (June 8), the vice-chancellor promises us the big picture yet he seems not to have made any overtures to the Save UTAS Campus group or any others who oppose the plan.
No sign of the promise he made in the City Hall that he was listening and
heeding the voices of the large majority of Hobart citizens who oppose his plan. So, what is the purpose of this group he proposes?
He is actually sending out seemingly intimidating signals that the campus sale is a done deal.
If the average person is concerned or interested, you may be invited to join a little talkfest but that won’t change anything.
This is the hectoring tone that he’s taken on from the start of this whole project.
He’s not listening and not heeding and wants opponents to know it!
A. Francis Sandy Bay
ARE THEY GENUINE?
IS UTAS willing to listen, change plans and work with interested groups?
You can have all the committees you like but if UTAS is still stuck on bulldozing through with its original plan, and merely having a PR exercise, then it is a waste of time to establish a community committee.
If UTAS is genuine in wanting to work with staff, students and the community, it would put a hold on all CBD development now and be consulting with these concerned groups.
It would be giving open and direct answers to all questions asked.
J. Lane Hobart
FAMILIAR CONCERNS
VICE-Chancellor Rufus Black’s latest announcement in the media to set up a public consultation group has all the hallmarks of UTAS’s previous sham consultation processes.
Why? Because:
1. They have failed in every consultation attempt they’ve made to truly engage and listen to staff, students and the community.
2. The HCC has requested more community consultation. It is not their idea.
3. Their consultation attempts have always assumed agreement with the proposal. It’s not a consultation about the future of UTAS, it’s informationsharing about what they want to do regardless of alternative views.
4. The vice-chancellor and UTAS have said they will listen but, as Jeff Malpas and others have pointed out, they do nothing with the information they hear. Over the past six months, there have been more than 100 letters to the editor opposed to the move as well as many Talking Point articles.
There is also a protest group with more than 3500 members, there has been a public meeting where 25 people spoke against the move, and there have been two petitions to the Hobart City Council. They have not listened let alone acted on anything they’ve heard.
5. The selection process for the group sounds much like the selection process for the university council.
UTAS has proven time and again that it doesn’t know what consultation means. You don’t consult after you’ve made a decision. You consult to help make the decision.
Angela Bird Mount Nelson
TAKE DOWN POSTERS
THE election is now over, so please take down all your posters. These spots are now reserved for extremely important issues such as saving our UTAS campus and, of course, missing dogs and cats.
Diannah Paramour Dover