Students come to cuts forum for Subway, leave ready to protest

On April 18th, Massey’s student association hosted a forum to discuss course and job cuts.  

Most students were not as engaged as expected – many there for the free Subway, some leaving straight away.  

Since 2023, Massey has cut over 280 staff members and degrees including Engineering, Nursing in Albany, Communications in Manawatū, and many courses in the College of Creative Arts.  

General student president, Hennessey Wilson showed his anger.  

“How the fuck could this happen?” He told the crowd.  

He said the university didn’t prioritise staff and students, with the “uninformed” council setting the agenda.  

“This is mainly implemented by an out of touch and incompetent vice chancellor Jan Thomas.” 

The forum discussed Albany staff at the innovation complex who oversaw the emptying of rat traps due to maintenance staff being let go.  

“This is another example of how far the current leadership is strayed from the purpose of the public institution of learning,” Wilson said.  

The university has cut some Māori qualifications, such as Māori Agribusiness, Wilson saying this was without consultation with the wider Māori staff or students.  

A Massey spokesperson said that the Māori Agribusiness specialisation with the Bachelor of Agribusiness was closed to new enrolments in 2021 due to low enrolments. 

Courses specific to Māori agriculture and the Māori economy are retained in the Bachelor of Agribusiness curriculum, just not as a specialisation. 

The spokesperson said alternative proposals were carefully considered for Sciences and the Humanities, along with all other feedback received during the consultation process.  

Both changed proposal processes included two feedback periods which resulted in amendments being made before the final decisions. 

Member of SAC (Student Action Collective), Alejandro Macias, spoke to his peers.  

“To Jan Thomas, to the administration, to the higherups – I know we are in the red in terms of money, but we still need an education”.  

“Find other alternatives that do not require firing staff, because our education gets worse, and we won’t even get our degree to make a change.” 

Co-branch president of the Tertiary Education Union, Te Awatea Ward said, “Our aim is to keep lecturers in jobs and to keep the qualification you signed up to get, to build a strong healthy university.” 

At the end of the forum, students were asked if they would come to another.  

While very few raised their hands, many did when asked if they would protest against the cuts.