Note: Regular page updates
This page will be updated during the consultation process. Please check regularly for updated information about the Proposal for Change, and answers to common questions.
Statement from Professor Cynthia White, PVC CoHSS
Statement from Professor Cynthia White, PVC CoHSS
I am most grateful to all of the students who took the time to share their questions, thoughts, insights and feedback in relation to the College of Humanities and Social Sciences Proposal for Change.
A key focus of the proposal is to align staffing to areas of student demand in two of the College’s Schools. As previously indicated, despite efforts to reduce costs in a range of areas, it has become necessary to reduce staffing to match student demand. The Final Decision means that two Schools in the College, the School of People Environment and Planning, and Humanities, Media and Creative Communications have a number of academic positions will be reduced.
My Final Decision affirms that we are not cutting qualifications or disciplines, and students will be able to complete the majors and minors in which they enrolled. I remain committed to ensuring that the College provides predictable pathways for students studying one or more of the diverse disciplines available, and our commitment to the quality of teaching and learning—independent of the mode of study—remains unchanged.
All of the feedback received from students was carefully reviewed and taken into account in my Final Decision. As a result of the consultation process, consideration has also been given to a range of initiatives to support our staff including curriculum changes in areas such as assessment, and commitments to reasonable workloads.
Due to data analysis in the document that may identify staff or reveal their employment details, the Final Decision will have limited availability.
Changes that may affect students are summarised below.
Overview
Fiscal challenges encountered by the tertiary sector in Aotearoa New Zealand are also affecting Massey University, and Te Kura Pūkenga Tangata, College of Humanities and Social Sciences.
Student enrolment numbers and income have declined, while costs have escalated. We have a financial shortfall this year and must reconsider our staffing profile. We need to ensure that the College:
- is fiscally responsible to taxpayers
- in a position to invest for the future
- able to continue to offer world-class teaching and research programmes.
As 75% of the College's operating finances are staff-related costs, we're adjusting our staffing profile to better align with current student demand while ensuring that the needs of disciplines continue to be met. The adjustment does result in a reduction of academic staff members in a number of disciplines.
No qualification closures have resulted from the Final Decision.
This Final Decision addresses the current financial challenges faced by two Schools within the College - the School of Humanities, Media and Creative Communication and the School of People, Environment and Planning.
The Proposal for Change: Final Decision
The Final Decision will ensure the financial sustainability of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences and align our staffing profile with the needs of each discipline, the School and the College in terms of:
- academic and disciplinary leadership
- teaching and supervision
- research
- citizenship
- contribution to the strategic direction of Massey University.
It will ensure going forward that the College has the resources to invest in:
- the reshaping of our academic portfolio and pedagogy
- our research infrastructure
- strategic initiatives that will strengthen the College
- our contribution to Aotearoa New Zealand and internationally.
Why did we need to propose changes leading to this Final Decision?
COVID-19 changed the international and domestic student market, especially in relation to learning off-campus, and altered economic pressures. Flow on effects on inflation, employment, and cost of living, have meant that costs have outstripped university income.
In addition to various actions taken in 2022 and into 2023 to reduce expenditure (such as minimising staff travel), it has been determined that a reduction in academic roles is required.
Although all five academic units within the College currently have some budget shortfalls, the two Schools in the scope of the review process have close to 20% shortfalls.
We have also significantly reduced costs in infrastructure, staff travel, and benefits, and some areas of the College have been leased to reduce space charging and to generate income.
However, given the extent of the College income shortfall and the reality that 75% of the operating budget relates to staff salaries, the tough decision has been made to align staffing with student demand and income.
What will happen now the Final Decision is released?
A Final Decision has been made and communicated to the College, wider university staff, students and stakeholders.
Affected staff will be supported through the next phase of implementation of the Final Decision, with importance placed on completion of the processes required to implement the staffing decisions and certainty for those affected by those decisions.
From 2024 onwards there may be some adjustments to staff teaching in particular courses, but this will not impact on students' completion of qualifications.
Massey will not stop offering courses in Humanities and Social Sciences
The Humanities and Social Sciences disciplines are vitally important in Aotearoa New Zealand and internationally.
We are fully committed to sustained offering of qualifications across a wide range of disciplines. Our teaching programmes and student and staff research are highly regarded, nationally and internationally. Multiple staff make significant contributions to national and international policy, research, professional practice and community life.
As a university, we are at the cutting edge of contemporary research and teaching, so we regularly review and enhance the quality and relevance of our offerings in response to student demand and societal change. We have processes in place to ensure currently enrolled students can complete their qualifications, before any future changes are applied.
We will ensure there are sufficient courses available for you to complete your Bachelor of Arts
The Final Decision confirms there will be no changes to qualifications and the offer in 2024 will proceed as planned.
The intent of this Proposal for Change: Final Decision aligns staffing to current student demands.
By adjusting staffing, we will continue to offer the courses you need to complete your qualification. In the unlikely event it's not possible to offer a particular specialty area, we will consult with the affected students and offer options to enable you to complete the qualification. For example, you may be permitted to study alternative courses from other schedules.
Note: The BA Psychology spans the School of Psychology and the Institute of Education, both of which were outside of the scope of this Proposal. There are no changes to staffing in the BA Psychology as part of this Proposal for Change.
There will be no change to the course credits required to complete your degree
The number of credits required for a bachelor’s degree is stipulated by the Committee on University Academic Programmes (CUAP) in conjunction with the New Zealand Qualifications Authority. They in turn are bound by New Zealand Government legislation.
As such, there will be no changes to the number of course credits required to complete your bachelor’s degree.
Enrolling in courses for 2024
Current students should proceed with enrolling in courses for 2024.There are no proposed closures to qualifications in this Proposal for Change Final Decision.
If any change in your qualification is decided upon in the future, the university will contact you personally with options.
What happens to a doctoral student if their research supervisor leaves Massey?
What happens to a doctoral student if their research supervisor leaves Massey? We have processes in place to negotiate and re-allocate research supervision, where needed.
Research supervisors move from the university for various reasons, including health, family circumstances, career advancement and retirement.
When changes are necessary, alternative arrangements will be negotiated between the Graduate Research School, affected students and the Head of School.
We are committed to ensuring students have every opportunity to successfully complete their qualifications.
Why are students told after a change process document is released?
There is a set of processes that must be followed under employment law that do not allow for us to discuss proposals before they are released for consultation.
You can find more information on change processes on the Employment New Zealand website.
Support Services
We will be providing opportunities for students to speak with our wellbeing professionals as individuals or groups - please keep an eye on My Hub for details. You can also find details of our support services on our website.