Massey University proposes to cut around 50% of humanities and social sciences staff

The university released a proposal today that would see staff cuts across languages, history, politics, defence and security, development studies and more. 

The proposal said the college of humanities and social sciences is at a shortfall of $6.5 million dollars for 2023. 

This comes just two week after the university proposed to cut all offerings in the schools of natural sciences, and food and advanced technology at the Auckland campus, as well as cutting engineering and plant science completely.  

The university forecasted an operating deficit of approximately $53.7 million dollars for 2023. 

Te Tira Ahu Pae general president, Andrew Steele had a meeting this morning with Cynthia White, pro vice-chancellor of the college of humanities and social sciences about the proposal. 

He said White had repeatedly told him the proposed changes would not have a direct impact on students. 

However, Steele argued that with staff cuts, the quality of education will decrease and put added pressure on students. 

The proposal said the final decision would be released on December 11th. 

White said there would be no qualification closures, “The intention is to cause minimal disruption to student study plans.”

“For the College to achieve a position of financial stability, further reductions are needed to the current operating expenses.”

The school of humanities, media and creative communication had the largest budget shortfall in the college of over 4.1 million dollars for 2023. 

The school of people, environment and planning had a budget shortfall of over 2.4 million dollars for 2023. 

Tertiary Education Union (TEU) organiser, Ben Schmidt described the proposals as “completely short-sighted and damaging.”

TEU members are rallying with Students Against Cuts at 12:30pm this Wednesday at the Massey Manawatū campus.

"It is particularly galling to see defence and security studies in the firing line. Defence force personnel based at Linton and Ohakea get significant value from those courses.”

“All the subjects under threat from this proposal teach skills that are vital to our economic and strategic future."