Human chain protests uni staff cuts
Rec centre
The song could be coming to an end for three staffers of the University of Waikato’s Conservatorium of Music.
But those protesting the Conservatorium’s job cuts say it will be the beginning of the end for the University’s reputation as a world-class arts provider.
On Tuesday morning, over 100 supporters of the Conservatorium formed a human chain and used song to fill the campus with harmony.
They gathered outside a meeting of the University Council, before members addressed the council to discuss the proposed jobs cuts.
Under the proposal, authored by professor Allison Kirkman, academic staff numbers in the music department will be reduced from eight to five.
It was a case of whether or not there were enough student enrolments to justify maintaining staff numbers.
Chancellor Jim Bolger preferred having student numbers before hiring tutors, while supporters stated tutors were what attracted the students.
According to a letter from vice chancellor Neil Quigley, enrolments in the music department have fallen by 28 per cent from 2013-2016, or by 30 per cent based on likely 2017 enrolments.
But protesters assured the council numbers would only continue to dwindle if prominent figureheads were removed from their positions.
‘‘It takes 20 years to build up the reputation and prestige that (lecturers) James and Katherine have built up, it takes one year to throw it away,’’ supporter Carol Thompson said.
‘‘Once they destroy it, it’s going to be almost impossible to get it back again. It’s taken a long time to reach this level of recognition.’’
Labour Party candidate for Hamilton East Jamie Strange presented to the council on behalf of the Conservatorium.
The music teacher and current student at the university said the programme was a national jewel.
‘‘It’s not just about Waikato University, it serves the whole community and is a treasure for our city,’’ he said.
‘‘Hopefully Jim Bolger and the council take a pragmatic approach and they look at how the staff want to work with the council in order to increase numbers.
‘‘We’re basically asking to stop the cuts, talk with the staff, work with them and develop the music programme, and modernise it to get more students in.’’
Friends of the Conservatorium outlined actions to ‘‘reinvigorate’’ the department, which included actively recruiting international students, introducing new courses, and providing a dedicated teaching space for students.
But the former Prime Minister said student numbers in the department have been visibly dwindling for some time.
‘‘The decline has been going on for the last three or four years and I presume that has been noted by the staff. I’m a Court markings and lacquer have been laid on the floor of the Rototuna Indoor Recreation Centre, which is due to open late July. The facility is a partnership between Hamilton City Council, the Ministry of Education and Rototuna Junior and Senior High Schools. The trust which governs the centre has been fundraising for sporting equipment such as nets and goals, council general manager for community Lance Vervoort said.