[TEU-academic] ] TEU update
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Fri Apr 19 2024 12:00:00 GMT+1200 (New Zealand Standard Time)
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Faculty re-structure. The sales pitch for the re-structure is ongoing. Earlier this week Faculty of Arts staff were invited to a "Special Arts Faculty Hui: Strategic Initiative". A member went and took notes:
- “One of our colleagues asked whether the panel could provide any reassurances that the restructure would not lead to Associate Dean positions that are unmanageable, and the panel said that nothing has been determined yet because they are still in the process of scoping out whether a restructure makes sense.
- Another colleague asked what assurances could be given that this restructure would not be used as an opportunity to cut professional staff who support academics, and the panel responded that they could not give such assurance.
- A third raised the point that employees are human beings, and that the constant change has been exhausting for employees. She asked what kind of resources the administration is prepared to offer to prevent employee demoralization from yet another change. The panel wasn't able to offer anything.
- Given how much the panel was selling the idea that this change would offer many benefits, including making us "stronger and more resilient", one colleague sensibly asked what metrics the administration would be using to assess the success of the restructure. Adrienne Cleland answered that question and all she could offer were vagaries, such as the vibrancy and success of the units.
- One of our colleagues asked what the leadership would do to allow a multiplicity of voices to be represented during the transition process, and this question was conveniently ignored.
- Another pointed out the very short timeline (January 1st) in which they sought to make the changes, and how disruptive such a speedy timeline could be. The panel was undeterred as they were of the opinion it could be done.
- One colleague asked the panel to comment on the discrepancy between Dawn Freshwater saying, in the zoom call, that restructure had to happen, and the fact the panel was backpedalling by saying that we are at the stage of the process where we’re deciding whether to restructure, and emphasizing that the restructure is only in the "if" stage... The Provost responded by stating they have to say “If” because if they didn’t, they wouldn’t be able to say they had consulted us… which led everyone to laugh out loud at the Provost’s gaffe. The Dean tried to rescue the situation by saying it's not a done deal as it would still have to be approved by Council, though this ignores the fact Council tends to act as a rubber stamp for the administration.”
Members remain frustrated at the reluctant, partial, selective drip-feed of information, such as Proposed new faculty arrangements staff FAQs – more added 12 April - The University of Aucklandhttps://www.staff.auckland.ac.nz/en/news-events-and-notices/notices/notices-2024/quarter-1/proposed-new-faculty-arrangements.html to which, I am advised, eight new ones have been posted recently. https://www.staff.auckland.ac.nz/en/news-events-and-notices/notices/notices-2024/quarter-1/proposed-new-faculty-arrangements.html
The Branch Committee is preparing a submission, based on feedback received in person and on the Google form [Initial feedback on employer proposal to merge faculties - Google Formshttps://docs.google.com/forms/d/1o-_RTCFck_XIWfT0bNU3QTRRo5aeGas474faNJklyBk/edit]. Please fill this out if you have not yet done so. The branch committee strongly encourages members to make submissions, particularly group submissions with your colleagues. If you feel you cannot make an informed view of the proposal given the lack of information, make this clear in your submission. It is very important that senior management gets this message, even if this is the only feedback you give. Members who, despite the lack of information, know what they think can make a submission at https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/news/notices/2024/proposed-new-faculty-arrangements.htmlhttps://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/news/notices/2024/proposed-new-faculty-arrangements.html. Any questions to the employer can go to strategicinitiative@auckland.ac.nz.
FAR IRIS SSFR Faculty Restructure Blues. Dilbert © Scott Adams
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Research integrity policy. A revamped policy is up for consultation. We have liaised with Elizabeth Visser, Research Integrity Officer, to better understand the policy, its details, how it has changed, and what implications it will have for members and staff. Key changes are in Research Integrity Policy consultation | ResearchHub auckland.ac.nz. Advisory groups on science and on universities. Lifting economy through science, tertiary sectors | Beehive.govt.nzhttps://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/lifting-economy-through-science-tertiary-sectors. We now know who has been appointed to the advisory group on universities: Members appointed to University Advisory Group - University Advisory Group uag.org.nz. The science sector advisory group details are here: Members appointed to Science System Advisory Group - Science System Advisory Group ssag.org.nz. Interested members can register to receive updates from both groups.
TEU Yoga Classes are moving to the Grafton Campus. Classes run from 0800-0855 on May 2 for five consecutive weeks, and take place in Building 507 lobby (where the tennis table is set up). Some mats will be provided but you are welcome to bring your own. The classes will be led by Reha Kumar, winner of the Yoga Teacher of the Year Award from Sport New Zealand in 2023 and active yoga advocate and educator. Reha teaches accessible yoga for all body types. Each class is capped at 20 students and is free for TEU members. Non-member guests are welcome but will need to bring a $10 contribution in cash.
New Branch committee member. We recently welcomed Hester Archarya to the Branch committee. By way of introduction, Hester writes: "Kia ora! My name is Hester and I started working at Waipapa Taumata Rau in September of last year. I work at the City Campus Student Hubs as a Hub Advisor. I also completed my BA/BFA conjoint degree in 2021 and BA(Hons) in History in 2022 here. I am most passionate about working in front-facing services, where I can directly support students and create more equitable experiences for them. I am always looking at where I can do more work behind the scenes, which is why I wanted to join the TEU Branch Committee. I aim to find more ways in creating more equitable environments, services, and overall experiences for both staff and students, as well as ways to ensure that the voices, stories, and concerns of minority/marginalized groups are being heard.
As a member of the Women of Colour Staff Network (WOC) and the Student Hubs team, I am learning more every day about the experiences, issues, gaps, and concerns that students, POC, WOC, and front-facing services face regularly. I hope I can represent the WOC Network in bringing these experiences to the front, where they can be used in finding ways to fill existing gaps and create safer and equitable workplaces."
Nau mai haere mai, Hester. We look forward to working with you.
Congratulations! Not one but two local mathematicians, Eamonn O'Brien and Jeroen Schillewaert, have received prestigious awards from Germany's Alexander von Humboldt Foundation. "Two Humbolt awards to Mathematics in one go – one is good, two is quite spectacular," says Dean of Science John Hosking. One plus one equals remarkable: double Humboldt win - The University of Aucklandhttps://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/news/2024/04/17/double-humboldt-awards.html.
Students urge a rent strike over accommodation cost increases. Auckland University halls residents encouraged to stop paying rent | RNZ Newshttps://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/514682/auckland-university-halls-residents-encouraged-to-stop-paying-rent and Auckland uni students threaten rent strike over rising accommodation fees | The Spinoffhttps://thespinoff.co.nz/society/19-04-2024/auckland-uni-students-threaten-rent-strike-over-rising-accommodation-fees. The TEU supports students' right to take action for an affordable rent and we support students to have safe, secure, and affordable accommodation. Like all New Zealanders, including our members, students are struggling daily with the cost of living.
Te Pūnaha Hihiko: Vision Mātauranga Capability Fund has announced support for 16 projects aimed at the development of skilled people and organisations that plan to undertake, or are undertaking, research that supports the themes and outcomes of MBIE’s Vision Mātauranga policy. 2024 Successful projects | Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment mbie.govt.nz
"brutal", "rushed" and "knee-jerk”. Oranga Tamariki, Ministry of Education cuts: Unions, organisations furious as over 1000 jobs go in one day | Newshubhttps://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2024/04/oranga-tamariki-ministry-of-education-cuts-unions-organisations-furious-as-over-1000-jobs-go-in-one-day.html. For a running count, by public service sector: NZ public service job cuts: what we know so far | RNZ Newshttps://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/513456/nz-public-service-job-cuts-what-we-know-so-far. See also On The Public Sector Carnage, And Misogyny As Terrorism | Scoop Newshttps://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL2404/S00030/on-the-public-sector-carnage-and-misogyny-as-terrorism.htm
And not unrelated. “By emphasising short-term economic gain, it risks eroding the country’s already fragile natural capital and pushing biodiversity further into decline.” TEU member Margaret Stanley (Ecology) on why the Fast-track Approvals Bill will be deadly: 5 reasons why the Fast-track Approvals Bill threatens NZ’s already fragile ecosystems theconversation.com
What is learned when researchers of gender in working lives turn their attention to academia? https://kifinfo.no/en/2024/03/women-end-doing-academic-housework
“Should former politicians lead universities?” TEU member Tom Baker (Geography) on the appointment of the former Finance minister as VC at U Otago. Grant Robertson is swapping parliament for academia theconversation.com
Academic staff at Columbia U speak out against their President. Anti-woke Republicans attacked Columbia University. It capitulated | Alisa Solomon, Marianne Hirsch, Sarah Haley and Helen Benedict | The Guardianhttps://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/apr/18/columbia-university-congress-antisemitism-republicans-gaza
Reminders.
- 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
Please consider sharing this and subsequent Updates (electronically or print) with colleagues who may benefit from knowing what we are doing.
fraternally b
Barry Hughes, PhD 302.363 Science Centre School of Psychology University of Auckland / Waipapa Taumata Rau