[TEU-academic] ] TEU update
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Fri Apr 05 2024 13:00:00 GMT+1300 (New Zealand Daylight Time)
Attachment: Current situation.pptx
Tēnā koutou katoa
Faculty re-structure. We sent message last week to members on the proposed dismantling of Arts, CAI and E&SW and creation of a new Faculty that will house all three (with Architecture and Planning perhaps moving to Engineering). To discuss the proposal, all members are invited to a meeting next Thursday the 12 April, from 11.30-12.30 in the new building 201.393. We encourage you to attend and share your thoughts and questions. These will inform the branch’s feedback to the proposal. Branch Presidents and organisers will be available in the room between 11 and 1pm if you can’t make the meeting but would still like to chat. We encourage you to invite non-members; we will also be inviting senior leadership to attend.
The Branch Committee’s main concern is that the proposal, as presented, does not contain enough information for our members (or staff generally) to make any informed judgment and provide feedback on whether the proposal is sound or not. We have been clear to the employer that more information and documentation need to be provided if consultation is to be legitimate. This is particularly important given that the employer has signalled that a merger could lead to a restructure in the future (though please do note that no jobs will be restructured as a direct result of the proposal).
At our insistence, some additional information has been released today (attached) and added to the Staff FAQshttps://www.staff.auckland.ac.nz/en/news-events-and-notices/notices/notices-2024/quarter-1/proposed-new-faculty-arrangements.html. Members will make their own determination if this is sufficient. A reminder that Noel created a Google poll [Initial feedback on employer proposal to merge faculties - Google Formshttps://docs.google.com/forms/d/1o-_RTCFck_XIWfT0bNU3QTRRo5aeGas474faNJklyBk/edit] to record members’ views, questions, etc on the proposal. We encourage members to do so. Members who, despite the lack of information, know what they think may also send email directly to strategicinitiative@auckland.ac.nz
Other Consultations with looming deadlines for interested members.
- Draft of Research Integrity Policyhttps://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/about-us/about-the-university/policy-hub/policy-development-review/documents-for-consultation/draft---research-integrity-policy.html. “Purpose: To articulate the responsibilities of the University community for conducting research in accordance with the highest standards of research integrity. These responsibilities are designed to: reflect the University’s purpose and valueshttps://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/about-us/about-the-university/the-university/mission-and-values.html; give effect to the University’s Code of Conducthttps://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/on-campus/life-on-campus/code-of-conduct.html; enhance the impact of research by promoting trust and confidence in research practices; promote good research practices, and raise awareness of research misconduct and questionable research practices (QRPs).”
- Draft of Intellectual Property Created by Staff and Students Policyhttps://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/about-us/about-the-university/policy-hub/policy-development-review/documents-for-consultation/draft---intellectual-property-created-by-staff-and-students-poli.html whose objectives are: “to state clearly the respective ownership rights of the University and its members in relation to intellectual property; to preserve and enhance a climate of creativity, innovation, entrepreneurship and inventiveness among staff and students; to foster an awareness of the importance of intellectual property among staff and students; and to assist in establishing appropriate mechanisms for the more effective translation of intellectual property into benefit for its members, its creators, and other rights holders and the community.” Safe spaces for Māori and Pasifika students. An interview and panel discussion which aired earlier this week on RNZ in part in response to the recent media around University of Auckland cultural safe spaces on campus. The interview is with the historian Scott Hamilton and the panellist discussion is with Tina Wickliffe and Shane Te Pou. https://www.rnz.co.nz/programmes/mata-with-mihingarangi-forbeshttps://www.rnz.co.nz/programmes/mata-with-mihingarangi-forbes/story/2018928770/mata-season-2-episode-5-scott-hamilton-on-segregation-and-commentators-tina-wickliffe-and-shane-te-pou
Fast-track approvals. As you may be aware, the government is proposing new legislation called the Fast Track Approvals Bill. Its purpose is to give government ministers the power to override the Resource Management Act, the Conservation Act, the Wildlife Act, the Crown Minerals Act, the Fisheries Act, et al to unilaterally approve projects without consultation or any other due process including input from academic experts. At the instigation of Tiakina te Taiao, the TEU’s Climate Action Network, the TEU has developed an open letter opposing the Bill. Please sign it, make a submission on the Bill, and circulate the open letter to your branch asking members to sign. Submissions on the Bill close in two weeks. https://www.together.org.nz/fast_track_approvals_bill_open_letter
Seminar on links across education sector in Aotearoa: Wednesday 10 April 1230-1330 in 201-377 (The virtual learning space). The VC’s announcement of the proposal to merge faculties coincides with considerable discussion about what is working and what is not working in New Zealand’s schools. Crisis is an overworked term, but it is not enough to claim that this crisis has been manufactured. Academic study of Education is central to understanding what is happening to schools, teachers and students, but the field is contested, fragmented, and populated by a range of actors and policymakers. This seminar will provide an up-to-date guide to the educational landscape in Aotearoa. It will examine different ‘traditions’ of educational knowledge and how these are being reshaped by wider societal and cultural forces. The seminar will identify the key fault lines in the study of Education and highlight the choices we face in advancing the educational project. There will a provocation and room for discussion. The seminar will be hosted by John Morgan (Head of the School of Critical Studies in Education) john.morgan@auckland.ac.nz
Lifting New Zealand's productivity and economic growth is the sole mantra. Professor Sir Peter Gluckman will chair New advisory groups for science and tertiary sectors msn.com
UK universities are in crisis. https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/mar/29/britain-universities-freefall-saving-them-funding-international-students?CMP=share_btn_urlhttps://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/mar/29/britain-universities-freefall-saving-them-funding-international-students?CMP=share_btn_url
Benefits and pitfalls of an AI universal translator. The End of Foreign-Language Education - The Atlantichttps://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2024/03/generative-ai-translation-education/677883/?gift=hLtYCColOpOmovvvc3EXsD-e1H-oKPxlVTx4bEYGFqs&utm_source=copy-link&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=
Vale Daniel Kahneman. Economics Nobel laureate but psychologist Daniel Kahneman dies, aged 90 ft.com. His last interview: Herfeld: A Conversation with Daniel Kahneman.docx philpapers.org
Reminder.
- Office hours on campus. We have a TEU office on campus, Room 417 in the Fisher Building on Waterloo Quadrant. Ordinarily, TEU Organisers Nicole and Andy have walk-in office hours every Friday between 10am and 2pm. They can be contacted by email: nicole.wallace@teu.ac.nz or andy.hipkiss@teu.ac.nz
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Barry Hughes, PhD 302.363 Science Centre School of Psychology University of Auckland / Waipapa Taumata Rau