Major revamp for uni

Massey University will have specialist campuses for different science subjects as it looks to cut costs in a potential restructure.

Massey has just released a discussion document for the future of the college of sciences, under Massey’s ‘‘digital plus strategy’’, which will remove duplication of courses across the university’s campuses in Palmerston North, Wellington and Albany.

Each subject will be centralised at an ‘‘anchor’’ campus and the document suggests Auckland will be the home of computer science and information technology, and engineering and construction. Manawatu¯ is the suggested home of physical and biological sciences, food technology, agriculture, animal science and veterinary science.

Enrolments would cease for the affected subjects at those campuses from the end of this year, but students will be able to study online if they are not at the campus.

The document, leaked to Stuff, says the college of science has delivered losses of $3 million-$5m in recent years and has a forecast deficit of $15.7m for this year, so a decrease in operating costs or an increase in revenue is needed.

Information sent from the university to staff says it is working to solve challenges. ‘‘The challenges reflect budgetary constraints arising from increasing infrastructure costs, declining funding in real terms, a volatile international student market and a flat domestic student market, among others,’’ it wrote.

‘‘Consequently, we must consider approaches that include greater

consolidation of our academic offer.’’

Massey didn’t answer questions, but a university spokeswoman said in a statement the university had developed a ‘‘future-proofing strategy’’.

‘‘This strategy, digital plus, has been in progress for several years and its main guiding principle is that each subject should have an anchor campus, paired with a world-class digital online offering. Staff who teach that subject would be located at that campus only.’’

She said changes affecting staff would go through a proposal process.

‘‘All students would be supported to complete their qualification and if any changes occur they would start at beginning of next year at the earliest.’’

Heather Hendrickson, a senior lecturer in the school of natural and computational sciences at Albany, said she was shocked.

‘‘Massey Albany has an incredible group of scientists and they do great research, are high ranking and really care about teaching and best outcomes for students.

‘‘To have the college of science turn its back on the potential for growth and investment here has really saddened me.’’

Massey scientist and distinguished professor Peter Schwerdtfeger said digital plus had no detail, no risk assessment had been done and the university hadn’t consulted people. ‘‘This is really appalling management and it’s not how a university works.’’

He said there would be a major impact on teaching and research at Albany, particularly with more than 100 PHD students at Albany, who wouldn’t be easy to relocate.

He said many universities ran subjects at many campuses. ‘‘It’s an attempt to save money and is the vice-chancellor’s way of getting a surplus for Massey.’’