A dozen academic jobs will be lost at the University of Tasmania under a controversial restructure of its arts and humanities courses, sparking criticism from staff and student representatives.
The university confirmed today the final structure would include the creation of a combined school of humanities and social sciences, alongside two new schools for creative arts.
Interim academic lead Professor Lisa Fletcher said the changes would enable “a more coherent offering for our Bachelor of Arts students”.
“We need to be committed to a viable offering across creative arts, social sciences and humanities, and in the proposal there are a range of redundancies proposed, up to 12 [full-time equivalent positions],” Fletcher said.
The job losses will come through targeted and voluntary redundancies, with the voluntary process already underway.
While the university insists no courses will be discontinued, several “adjustments” are being made, including combining politics and international relations into a single major and no longer offering German.
Indonesian language studies, initially flagged for removal, have received a six-month reprieve while the university explores sustainable funding options.
The restructure will also establish a stand-alone conservatorium of music and create a school of creative and performing arts for art and theatre programs.
UTAS claims the changes, first proposed in May, were necessitated by financial challenges and declining enrolments across arts and humanities.
However, student advocacy group Save UTAS Arts has strongly criticised the decision, calling the consultation process ‘disingenuous’.
“They have not at all listened to the statewide uproar from every level of public interest: students, TUSA (Tasmanian University Student Association), community members, and local, state, and federal politicians,” the group said in a statement.
The group also questioned the university’s priorities, saying executive salaries remain untouched while teaching positions are being cut.
The university maintains the final structure was informed by five weeks of consultation and that it remains “deeply committed to the viability and the strength of our disciplines across the creative arts and humanities and social sciences”.
