The university wants 277 FTE staff to go. It might come close to finding enough volunteers

Management advises that 286 people in areas targeted for cuts have lodged interest in a voluntary separation package. A further 156 people in other operating units eligible for VSPs have asked about exists. Departure offers for priority people are now being made.

Of course, management does not have to accept everybody who asks – although it is keen to see staff in targeted units leave. In September, the university took some work-areas off the agenda, presumably because structural change was required and that meant enterprise agreement consultation. But it then expanded eligible low-enrolment academic areas, where all staff could apply for VSPs (CMM October 13).

With over 400 people potentially prepared to exit, the university may avoid involuntary redundancies, which will follow if the number of VSPs does not reach the target for departures. This could involve letting individuals leave who the university would like to stay – but that may be an acceptable price to pay to avoid the morale-gutting sight of forcing people out.