Another 63 full-time equivalent staff positions at Southern Cross University (SCU) will be made redundant under proposed new reforms announced today by SCU Vice Chancellor Professor Tyrone Carlin. 

Along with the merging of SCU’s six academic schools into four faculties, the job losses are hailed as a part of the roadmap to put the institution on a stronger financial footing and ensure its long-term success.

New faculties

The proposed new faculties are: Health, Science and Engineering, Education and Business, Law and Arts. 

Professor Carlin said the changes to the academic structure would “bring together expertise, reduce duplication and ensure the very best teachers interact with as many students as possible”.

“Unfortunately this also involves some job losses as the University adjusts to a series of external shocks,” Prof Carlin said.

“There is no easy option for Southern Cross and we have done all we can to minimise job losses,” Prof Carlin said.

“Wherever appropriate staff will be offered redeployment opportunities but there will be some roles that are no longer required.

Prof Carlin said the reforms came as a response to the challenging and significant impacts of the COVID-19 crisis, including the loss of international students.

“But it is also the continuation of a process of deep reflection on the need to create a University that is genuinely distinctive with sustainable and impactful models for education, research and support services,” he said.

Research priority

Prof Carlin said research was still a priority, and support activities such as finance, marketing and human resources management would evolve into centrally-provided shared services.

“This will help with the delivery of consistent and exemplary standards across all areas of the University,” he said.

“The proposed changes are also designed to take account of an additional set of forces that will be brought to bear on the University as a result of recently legislated changes to Commonwealth funding arrangements for education and research.”

“Importantly, our commitment to our three main campuses at Lismore, Coffs Harbour and the Gold Coast remains steadfast.”

Southern Cross is teaching all classes online at present, with most staff working from home and only limited access to campuses as the COVID-19 restrictions continue to impact. 

Budget shortfall

Southern Cross announced earlier this year that the COVID-induced crisis had created a budget shortfall in 2020-21.

Initially forecast at $38 million, that figure has been revised down to $33m. Non-salary savings of almost $10 million have been made this year.

A proposal in July for salary savings that would have saved the University another $5.6 million was voted against by staff.

The University employs about 1700 people.