Help for students, jobs going

Vice Chancellor Tim Brailsford tells staff modelling demonstrates, “that even under very adverse assumptions, the university has planned for contingencies.”

Bond’s assumptions are adverse indeed. Professor Brailsford advises the university might qualify for the federal government’s JobKeeper Allowance for staff – this would mean BU revenue was down 30 per cent on YTD 2019, “hence we have most of April to make ends meet with an inevitable reduction in revenue fast approaching.”

However, some jobs are already gone. “We have already had to advise some of our sessional academic staff who were expecting to teach subjects in semester two that their services will not be required for next semester.  This is not something that we have done lightly, and nor is it a reflection of the high value we place upon their contributions,” the VC says

And more will follow. “For our professional staff, there will also be changes to roles as we adjust to the new environment, and in some cases, there will be less work to do and consequent adjustments will need to be made.”

While staff take a hit the university is helping students. Semester Two tuition will be cut by 20 per cent and the reduction will stay in place even if on-campus classes return. The student amenities fee will not be levied next semester. International students who now cannot commence as intended in S2 and S3 will be repaid deposits, as long as they cancel by May 25.