The academic transformation plan for Uni SA approaches the pointy end, with staff responses to the plan due Friday

Where this comes from: VC David Lloyd started the process at the start of the year, proposing a new organisation for staff, based on what is taught instead of disparate discipline groups. Alternatives were discussed in open meetings involving hundreds of staff and now leadership structures appear agreed and the university council is keen (CMM June 11).

Where people would sit: The new model would replace the existing four divisions and 14 schools with larger groups, “built around cognate clustering of programmes.” As now proposed they would be;

* clinical and medical sciences, * allied health and health sciences, * creative and design, * education and science, * engineering and technology, * social and human sciences, and * business and entrepreneurship.

The seven new AOUs would have between 2200 and 4500 students and 100 to 280 FTE staff.

Why do it: There are expected outcomes;

* breaking-down “traditional silos” and “removing hierarchical layers” for inter-disciplinary teaching and research

* devolving academic decision making and reducing the admin burden. Savings to be invested in more academic staff and “student-facing” professional roles

* enhanced teacher quality and student experience, via programme-focused organisations

* more time for teaching and research, by reducing administration

What’s next:  The plan is scheduled to take 12 months preparing for the shift, with implementing the main academic organisation changes in June-July next year and the new leaderships bedding everything down July 2020-December 2021.