We Are The University

[TEU-academic] ] TEU update

undefined

Fri Oct 20 2023 13:00:00 GMT+1300 (New Zealand Daylight Time)

Tēnā koutou katoa

On the election. For Rob Campbell (Chancellor, AUT), "Labour and National both avoided the main debates – climate crisis, infrastructure failures, equity issues and geopolitics – in favour of playing back to the people their current fears and insecurities" This Election Was Bought, And Bought Cheap | Newsroomhttps://www.newsroom.co.nz/politicians-will-fail-us-giving-us-what-we-want-its-up-to-us-now

Medical Academics. Your representatives are discussing a possible resolution with the employer. If you have any questions, please contact Nicole, nicole.wallace@teu.ac.nz

Are you aware of the Achievement Relative to Opportunity policy? If you have had circumstances that may have had a significant impact on your workplace participation, this policy is intended to “ensure a fair and equitable evaluation of achievement when personal circumstances have affected staff members’ participation in the workplace.” These circumstances could be carer responsibilities, health and disability issues, cultural or community obligations, or unforeseen personal events. Why might this be important to you? “Employment-related decisions including appointments, access to career development and progression, and promotion will take into account the quality and impact of the individual’s achievements relative to the opportunities available to them and the effect personal circumstances may have had on those achievements.” If this policy might be of assistance to you, you can find the details at: https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/about-us/about-the-university/policy-hub/university-governance/equity/achievement-relative-opportunity-policy-procedures.html

Massey U: the news gets worse. Union fears for devastating cuts at Massey University | Stuff.co.nzhttps://www.stuff.co.nz/national/education/300990091/union-fears-for-devastating-cuts-at-massey-university and More cuts on the way for Massey University under latest cost-saving plan | Newshubhttps://www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-zealand/2023/10/more-cuts-on-the-way-for-wellington-s-massey-university-under-latest-cost-saving-plan.html. Calls for the VC’s resignation: 'It needs to change': Calls for Massey University's Vice-Chancellor to resign ahead of more cuts msn.com. See also Massey University’s Job Cuts: A Symptom of a Larger Crisis in New Zealand’s Education msn.com

The curriculum as a function of choice, competition, and financial gain. TEU member Claudia Rozas (Education and Social Work) on the perils of Act's New Asset Sales: Hocking Off The School Curriculum to the Highest Bidder | Newsroomhttps://www.newsroom.co.nz/ideasroom/the-dangers-of-acts-free-market-curriculum

Did not see that coming. Student rent for university accommodation is going up by 8%: Te Waha Nui aut.ac.nz and Auckland Uni students slam 8% accommodation rent hike 1news.co.nz. We are also aware that Resident Advisors, live-in students who provide a variety of services to other students in UoA accommodation including pastoral care, have received new individual employment contracts. Having done the arithmetic, they believe that the employer is offering them worse terms than last year.

Ms. Information, reviewed. Branch committee member Christiane Rupp went to a screening and came away deeply impressed. “This incredible 2023 documentary directed by Gwen Isaac had its first screening this week at the Rialto. It captures the fear, misinformation, and anger that swept and divided the country during the Covid-19 pandemic while showcasing the independent voice of our colleague, microbiologist and science communicator Siouxsie Wiles fighting for the wellbeing of others. In doing so, Siouxsie became a punching bag for conspiracy theory movements across Aotearoa. Siouxsie is so much more than a successful scientist; she is ahead of her time, a leader. The real-world impact of her academic work is evident beyond Aotearoa’s borders. Siouxsie needs and deserves support from all of us. It is unacceptable that the harassment and threats she is still getting are not always taken seriously by those who could and should be there to support her. Don’t miss Ms. Information. It is in cinemas from 26 October.”

Humans of the BC. Prior to our recent AGM, Maribel Caballero (Group Services Team Leader for Business School – Graduate School of Management) stepped forward to serve as our branch Treasurer. She introduces herself: “I am a GenXer, and learned to be independent at a young age, and resourceful too especially during the hard times in our country. I am self-taught tech-savvy. I love Matcha Green Tea and autumn is my favourite season...leaves falling, different shades and colours…sitting in a park/garden reading a book with a cuppa.”

The revolving door: politics, lobbying, politics. We already have co-governance: the elected government and the paid corporate lobbyists. TEU member Bryce Edwards (VUW) surveys this space: More Ex-Labour Ministers Move Into Lobbying | Scoop Newshttps://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO2310/S00146/more-ex-labour-ministers-move-into-lobbying.htm and Who’s advising the new National Government? – Democracy Projecthttps://democracyproject.nz/2023/10/19/bryce-edwards-whos-advising-the-new-national-government/

Largest ever atlas of the brain. A newly published atlashttp://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adl0913 offers the most detailed maps yet of the location, structure, and, in some cases, function of more than 3,000 types of brain cells. See also Auckland University medical student from Tauranga launches poetry project to raise money for Centre for Brain Research (msn.com) https://www.msn.com/en-nz/news/other/auckland-university-medical-student-from-tauranga-launches-poetry-project-to-raise-money-for-centre-for-brain-research/ar-AA1itnZy?ocid=entnewsntp&cvid=1b76adcdcfba4464917d596cb5dcaea0&ei=14

Reminders:

fraternally

b

Barry Hughes, PhD School of Psychology Faculty of Science Phone: +64 9 923 5265 Extension: 85265

Website: www.psych.auckland.ac.nzhttp://www.psych.auckland.ac.nz/ Address: Science Centre, Building 302, Level 6, 23 Symonds Street, Auckland 1010 | Private Bag 920129, Auckland 1142, New Zealand