Job cuts loom as Massey lifts axe

More than 90 jobs at Massey University could be in jeopardy as it looks to slash staff costs.

The university has written to more than 1000 staff across its Manawatu¯ , Wellington and Albany campuses asking for volunteers to retire and resign before the end of the year, says Tertiary Education Union organiser Michael Gilchrist.

Massey staff were told the goal is to cut $15.7 million in expenses.

‘‘The reason given for the offer is the need to reduce staffing expenditure in order to increase the university’s operating surplus,’’ Gilchrist said.

The union has ‘‘a number of concerns’’ about the move and the way it has been handled, but as it was in discussions with Massey, Gilchrist said he would not say more.

Massey spokesman James Gardiner said Vice-chancellor Jan Thomas wanted a 3 per cent surplus next year, to ‘‘enable us to invest in our strategic goals’’.

Academic and administration staff spoken to at the university said they knew about the plan, but were worried about commenting publicly while their positions were under a cloud.

It’s understood Massey wants to achieve its savings by slashing $9.2m from the College of Sciences over two years, $3.2m from the College of Health in the next year and $3.3m of wider staff funding cuts ‘‘foreshadowed’’.

There are 800 staff in the College of Sciences and 220 in the College of Health.

Massey Students’ Association president Nikita Skipper said sending the letter to so many staff so close to Christmas was a ‘‘Grinch’’ move. She understood at least 90 jobs would be cut to meet the university’s intended cost savings.

A significant number of papers had been cut by the university recently, particularly in science, so staff reductions must have been considered for some time, she said.

‘‘From what I understand, students aren’t being consulted, and staff aren’t being consulted ... These changes are not going to benefit the university.’’

Many students are unhappy with the moves. Cutting papers upsets study programmes for some and the prospect of fewer staff left students worried they will have less support.

‘‘Administration staff are scrambling to fix [problems with programmes] and the lecturers are trying to fix it. Don’t make these crazy changes after students enrol.

‘‘Students don’t want staff to lose their jobs. Are the ones left going to be doing 80-hour weeks and won’t have time for students?’’

Chemistry PHD student David Pearl said the university was not being up front about its plans and students were concerned at rumoured changes, including the merging of vastly different majors. The university risked undermining its reputation, he said.

‘‘The discussions are being made by people with absolutely no involvement in the school of sciences and they have no idea of what goes on in the school’s day-today business, so how are they equipped to make these decisions?’’

Gardiner did not confirm how much staff funding would be cut, but said there had been a university-wide review of expenses, income and financial projections.

‘‘It is entirely up to them whether they wish to express interest’’ in the ‘‘enhanced retirement/resignation package’’.

‘‘From what I understand, students aren’t being consulted, and staff aren’t being consulted.’’ Massey Students’ Association president

Nikita Skipper