Rufus, your time starts now

Uni Tasmania’s five-year plan is out, shaped by a confidence in the state’s future lacking in past decades of decline, committing to being “a place that people can look to as a model of how to create a truly sustainable, equitable and prosperous society while preserving the distinctive qualities that make it such a special place.”

U Tas sticks with higher education standing operating procedure in not including quantifiable KPIs. But there is one that really, really matters and the report is franker than most in acknowledging what needs to be addressed including

* “not enough” Indigenous staff, “too many people in insecure employment”

* “our processes are complex and frustrating”

* scale achieved with a diversity of international students

* address course delivery costs exceeding income and under-used facilities

There are also objective and actions for academic and professional operating units, the frankness of which will upset some staff and inspire others.

But while there is confidence it is qualified by a realism rare in university reports; “we have no time to lose. We have a mere ten-year window to see the state on a different trajectory and a five-year horizon to see the university develop into a sustainable operation, or we will not be able to fulfil our mission.”

Uni observers suggest this is very much (relatively recent) Vice Chancellor Rufus Black’s MO – big on ideals, realistic about risks – and there is a number in the report he will be held to, sustainability in five years.

Professor Black, your time starts now.