Uni Queensland’s best worst case

VC Peter Hoj says revenue could be down $240m – unless it is twice that. Here’s what he is doing about it

 There’s good news: Uni Queensland domestic student numbers have survived the move to on-line teaching. Domestic enrolments remained steady, at census date, when students become liable for semester HECS debts.

But the bad news is really bad: However, internationals dropped 20 per cent and the VC warns the “next challenge” is student numbers for semester two and in the first semester of 2021.

And philanthropy and research revenues are already down.

“So much uncertainty exists around the longevity of current restrictions, it is difficult to predict where our numbers might land. We estimate our 2020 drop in revenue at best could be $240m, but could easily be double that,” he tells staff.

What’s being done:  Operational savings will deliver over $100m across the year and capex already  deferred will save $120m. Professor Hoj makes no mention of staff cuts or reductions to wages or conditions.

More of the same please, but better:   He asks staff to “focus on three things,”

* “retain students – we need to ensure our teaching is as good as it can be, our systems are as robust as possible and our students feel supported and connected”

* keep research productive and support HDR students

* focus on “long-term sustainability”.