Graduates come back to protest

KENT BLECHYNDEN/The Dominion Post

KEEP OUR COURSE: From left, Associate Professor Jenny Neale, social sciences research programme director, and graduates Sue Buckley and Carolyn Hooper urge Victoria University to think again.

Victoria University graduates have returned to the campus to protest against plans to axe a research course.

The future of the post-graduate course in Social Science Research is under review by the Wellington university, which has described it as no longer financially viable.

"This is a golden egg that they are just planning to scramble," graduate Carolyn Hooper said. If the course were cut, two fulltime academic staff would be made redundant.

Fifty of its graduates gathered for a protest organised by the Tertiary Education Union at the Kelburn campus yesterday.

Its director, Associate Professor Jenny Neale, described the course - which she began in 1987 - as "my baby".

"I believe it's a fantastic programme. I'm gutted about it. The review is entirely focused on the costs, and it ignores the benefits," she said.

If the cut went ahead, she would lose her job in March.

The course is limited to 12 fulltime students a year, and aims to teach the disciplines of applied research. Eight students were enrolled this year, and seven last year, the university said.

Professor Deborah Willis, humanities and social sciences pro-vice-chancellor, said: "Unfortunately in recent years the numbers of students enrolling . . . have fallen to a level where the programme is no longer financially viable.

"In the current economic climate all organisations are planning to ensure they are financially sustainable and the university is no exception."

Social research skills would still be taught at the university, she said.

Submissions on the review close at the end of the week, with a final decision expected next month.

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