Voluntary redundancies at Southern Cross University (SCU) could just be the beginning of more job losses for the local university, with 71 staff having their redundancies accepted after they were called for earlier this year.

SCU Vice President of Engagement Ben Roche said the ongoing COVID-19 situation will continue to have a bearing on the need to implement further cost cutting measures "which are likely to include further job losses in the future".

While 92 academic and professional staff applied for SCU’s Voluntary Redundancy (VR) program, Mr Roche said only 71 were accepted - with 24 of the staff in academic roles and 47 in professional roles. 

"Each application was carefully and confidentially considered within each work unit and all staff have been notified of the outcome.

Mr Roche thanked all those who applied, acknowledging the personal nature of each individual’s decision-making process. 

“We appreciate how significant this is in helping the University overcome the unprecedented financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic,” he said.

“This is a significant moment for the University, as each and every one of the departing staff represent long term colleagues, peers and in many cases close personal friends developed over many years of service.

“As part of the University’s consultation in developing the VR program, a detailed assessment process was followed that not only determined whether the staff member’s role could be discontinued, but there was also an additional layer of local consideration to ensure the approved redundancies will not materially impact the workload of other staff."

Future blueprint

Mr Roche said a Planning Ahead Committee will be created to oversee reforms in key areas and ensure the University remains viable into the future. 

He also reconfirmed that teaching across the University will continue in the default mode of online learning and staff will continue to work from home.

Face-to-face graduations are still cancelled until further notice and campus buildings will continue to have limited access to minimise running costs and to ensure a COVID safe environment.

Mr Roche reinforced that the singular focus on health and safety underpins its emphasis on precaution and risk-mitigation. 

“In safeguarding our staff and students, those decisions have been made on the advice from Chief Medical Officers of both New South Wales and Queensland as well as key local issues such as continued border closures,” he said