Proposed polytech staff cuts upset students

BY SALLY KIDSON

Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology students fear the current round of proposed job cuts will "rip the heart" out of the institution.

"It's a sombre mood on campus with the uncertainty about what is going on with staff and course cuts," students' association vice-president Lavana Ramsteijn said.

Students depended on teaching staff for learning, support and mentoring and were worried, especially after watching students go through the pain of losing tutors last year, she said.

"Students are really hurting. We need access to the correct information and consultation about any changes. But currently we only have rumours to go on."

Staff at NMIT were advised on Friday which areas of the institute would be affected by the review. The changes aim to cut the equivalent of 20 fulltime jobs as part of a bid to save NMIT $2 million.

Last year the equivalent of 16 fulltime staff were cut at NMIT, saving the polytech $1m.

Ms Ramsteijn said students had approached the students' association this week asking how the review would impact their courses.

She said students were worried the adventure tourism and creative writing courses may be cut.

The review over its three years might mean the loss of up to 50 fulltime staff, Ms Ramsteijn said.

She questioned how chief executive Tony Gray could ensure the quality of delivery was maintained during and after the redundancy period given "tutors are the heart of the institute".

She hoped students would get the chance to talk through their concerns with Mr Gray this week.

Mr Gray said he was not in a position to say which courses or staff would be affected as the paper was a consultation document only.

He said the review looked at all academic areas across the curriculum and there was no specific decisions in it. The period for feedback on the document closed on August 6.

Meanwhile unionised staff at NMIT will meet again next Wednesday following a meeting yesterday to help inform staff how the cost-cutting review could affect them.

Tertiary Education Union branch president David Ayre said the union's central organiser Phil Dodds would be on campus all day next Wednesday.

Mr Ayre said the union was focusing on ensuring staff were informed how the review might potentially affect them so they could respond to the document.

The review was across all parts of the school with different proposals for each school.

NMIT like all tertiary institutes is under increasing pressure from the Government to manage costs in the current economic climate. Last year NMIT had $3m stripped from its budget.

- © Fairfax NZ News