Overhaul threatens more than 30 jobs and a mix of courses Axe looms large at JCU
PROPOSED changes at James Cook University could see 32 staff lose their jobs and some courses axed.
JCU has released a “change proposal”, citing increased competition, reduced student numbers, reduced Commonwealth funding and “a highly volatile and uncertain public policy environment” as rea- sons behind the overhaul.
The proposed changes, if implemented, may result in the loss of 17 jobs in Townsville, 14 in Cairns and one more in either campus.
Under the proposal the university would consolidate staff and curriculums in the areas of geoscience, earth sciences and information technology.
The information technology discipline would move into the College of Science and Engineering from the College of Business, Law and Governance.
The Master of Economics would be cut and the Bachelor of Creative Arts and Media would be replaced by related majors in the Bachelor of Arts. The changes would also see JCU focus on increasing the delivery of online courses, including a new Master of Business Administration.
Senior Deputy Vice Chancellor Professor Chris Cocklin said JCU had to change how it did business “to ensure we are financially sustainable”.
“Australian universities are undergoing massive transfor- mation including increased competition for students and resources, as well as reduced government funding, and JCU must adapt,” he said. “The proposed changes will provide a more focused and responsive approach to the changing demographics of our student base.
“We are focused on the demands of students and delivering the future workforce for our regions.”
National Tertiary Education Union JCU branch organiser Peter Whalley- Thompson said ViceChancellor Sandra Harding held a forum at the university yesterday.
“She did a forum in January to talk about the financial position and there were so many people there who wanted to know what was going on... this one there weren’t many because they can already see what’s happening,” he said.
“One of the things they never put in their costs is the loss of productivity that’s caused from plummeting morale.”
Mr Whalley- Thompson said the loss of academic jobs would have a negative effect on Townsville.
“They slashed and burned among the administrative staff in the last few years, now they’re coming for the academics,” he said.
“When you sack an academic they don’t stay in Townsville because they can’t get the work.”
The change proposal will be shared with staff, with a twoweek consultation process for response.