The university is spending more on “core activities” than it earns” there’s a proposal to fix it

“We are all fatigued by these seemingly never-ending incremental cost reduction measures, running hard just to stand still. It’s time to approach this problem in a different way,” the paper released last yesterday by Vice Chancellor Alex Zelinsky states.

Structural change is based on the already announced move from five faculties to three colleges (CMM August 19) and aligning administration with the new schools-college model.

The plan also includes teaching and learning change, notably;

* the course review process underway

* more work integrated learning

* a review of the academic workload model

* increasing student demand with “an engaging and relevant suite of academic programmes”

The new model is expected to be in place by April.

The paper argues that while the university is in better financial shape than most, it is propped up by investment income, with core operating functions in deficit. “If we do not address the gap between our revenue and expenses, our longer-term sustainability will be at risk. If we want to provide innovative and life changing experiences and support for our students, and if we want to continue to contribute to changing lives in our communities, we must rebalance our cost base.”