Image: Will Thorpe
A discussion paper sent to University of Sydney (USyd) staff has stoked concerns from the union and student representatives that job cuts might be imminent.
The review identified a nearly 30 percent increase between 2019 and 2024 in the number of professional staff, about double the proportional expansion of the student body. The number of academic staff increased by 9.1 percent, a much slower rate.
“There are reasons for the growth in professional staff during this time period,” the paper states. The enrolment of more students and “the evolving regulatory and compliance landscape have significantly increased the demand for professional services.”
However, it concludes that greater staffing “has not translated into better quality experiences or services, with our service experience scores below those of our peers for both students and staff.”
Student council says cuts “cannot be the solution”
Angus Fisher leads the Students’ Representative Council (SRC), composed of undergraduates. He says that the body is concerned about potential staff cuts in two ways.
“First is the direct effect on the student experience. The discussion paper already notes that USyd has the lowest student experience score in the G08, blaming efficiency of USyd systems.”
“Staff cuts and greater centralisation of systems cannot be the solution, and would in fact worsen the student experience.”
The second concern is that cuts might strain SRC services for students. “If centralisation results in the removal of student-facing staff, the SRC would have to likely pick up the slack.”
SRC caseworkers provide academic and institutional support to students, and the body also offers a legal service.
“Our caseworkers, who are already spread thin, may be spread even further.”
Fisher said that the SRC “hopes to be an integral part” of the review into professional services and staffing, “not as a box-tick, but as a real decision maker.” A new president, elected in August, is due to take over before the new year.
A document created by the USyd branch of the National Tertiary Education Union criticises the discussion paper. The branch says that it “marks the start of a formal change management process at the University of Sydney, following the footsteps of management at UTS, Western, Macquarie, Newcastle and Wollongong with its emphasis on job cuts.”
Focus is not on staff reductions, university says
Usyd Vice-President (Operations) Nicole Gower outlined the impetus for the discussion paper.
“As is standard across large and complex organisations, we’re undertaking a review of our professional services to make sure we’re best placed to deliver our core priorities, so our staff can do their best work, and our students can focus on their studies.”
“Delivering outstanding education and excellent research depends on our valued professional staff and it’s important we understand if these services are working as effectively and efficiently as possible.”
Gower said that there exist “some complex and historical challenges in how our services operate internally and we know how frustrating this can be, both for our professional staff and our students and academic staff they work hard to support.”
“The focus is not on job cuts – we’re in the early stages of this program and we’re consulting with our staff to understand the challenges and issues we need to address.”
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