“The need for our university and its mission is clear, and we must make sure we can deliver on that mission, and not be a hollowed-out shell of our former selves,” VC Brian Schmidt told staff yesterday

Even with savings already made, the university expects a $192m deficit next year, with shortfalls of “a similar magnitude” in 2022 and ’23. “Our current spending profile remains structurally misaligned with our revenue projections,” a briefing paper for staff states.

The university expects staff savings to make up 50 per cent of the needed reduction, which means 215 positions from across colleges and administration will be abolished – optimally by natural attrition and voluntary departures. “The university will seek wherever possible to avoid redundancies,” the briefing paper states.

The next round of departures will follow 250 staff who have already taken, or are expected to, a voluntary separation. Staff have also agreed to defer a pay rise, which created sufficient savings to protect 90 positions.

As to what will happen next; “this is not a course of action we wanted to take, but it is our only viable option going forward if we want to remain a sustainable, stable university,” Professor Schmidt told staff.

Details on the impact for operating units is due early October.