VC mentions but does not detail new “cost-saving measures” that could come

Buried in a long-message on COVID-19 measures received by staff in the hours before the Easter break VC Duncan Maskell told staff, that “initial estimates” of the financial impact of the virus “will be $500m in 2020 alone.”

Professor Maskell specified cost-savings in response; a freeze on “non-essential staff appointments”, reducing operating expenditure and a hold on capex “where possible.” He added that the university executive was taking a 20 per cent pay cut, for at least six months.

However, the vice chancellor made no mention of any consideration of cuts to sessional staff numbers or contract hours for this semester, or potentially next, perhaps because census date is not to April 30.

Although learned readers suggest Professor Maskell saying, “we continue to examine other cost-saving measures,” is alarmingly ambiguous.

The university is also stumping-up for student support, (in COVID-19 wrap) below.