Job losses likely with change to arts

Victoria University staff are facing job losses as the institution ‘‘has been considering a change’’ to the school of art history, classics and religious studies.

The initial proposal given to staff in May was likely to affect jobs, staff members told Stuff yesterday. The proposal’s outcome was due on July 23, but has been delayed. It’s understood more time was needed to process submissions on the idea.

Staff expected to know the outcome, and intentions to split up the school, before the weekend.

Victoria University of Wellington Dean, Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences professor Jennifer Windsor could not release details on the final decision before staff were informed but confirmed job cuts were outlined in the initial proposal.

Windsor said the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences had been considering a ‘‘change proposal’’ that retained art history, museum and heritage, classics and religious subject areas by locating them within ‘‘different academic units of the faculty’’. Any changes, announced this week, will come into effect in January 2019.

While the final decision may be different to the proposal document, Windsor said the original changes included the loss of three academic staff members’ and three full-time-equivalent administrative staff members’ jobs. It’s understood those affected are hopeful other jobs will open up for them within the university.