Proposed science cuts leaves 458 students clueless about their degree last minute

Auckland students protested last week weeks against the cuts. Photo / Niklas Polzer

International science students pay at least $35,000 dollars a year, to now be left stressed about visas and accommodation as Massey proposes cuts to sciences at short notice.  

Last week, 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.  

If the proposal is confirmed, students currently studying in these areas will not be able to continue their qualifications at Massey next year.   

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

Engineering students were concerned moving to a different university could push them back a semester or two as some mathematics courses allegedly do not correspond.  

The university was asked by Massive if this was a risk, however, it gave no answer.  

Khanh Nguyen, food technology international student at the Albany campus feared it would be difficult to move to Palmerston North and find student accommodation.  

The proposal showed 458 full time equivalent students would be affected. Up to 100 jobs could also be cut.  

A final decision was set to be announced on the 27th of November, by this time many student accommodation rooms will be taken.  

Nguyen had anxiety over getting her student visa for next year so last minute, as it can be a long process.  

According to Massey’s website, international science students pay upwards of $35,000 a year in fees.  

“You can imagine the challenges of moving my entire life will not be easy without my family to help me”, Nguyen said.   

Students met with deputy pro-vice chancellor of the college of sciences, Simon Hall on Monday.  

International student Daniel said, “Back home people are losing their minds. My parents are worried, so what's the plan?”  

Daniel said he got his student visa through Massey, “I have spent all my life savings to come to New Zealand and to study”.  

Simon Hall said the university would work with Immigration New Zealand to assist international students, and more would be known if the proposal was confirmed.  

The Massey engineering degree is accredited for graduates to be recognised engineers internationally.  

However, many engineering students were concerned that if the degree is cut, students who aren’t graduating this year won’t have the accreditation.  

Professor Ray Geor, pro vice-chancellor of the college of sciences told Massive that the university would make arrangements for students completing engineering qualifications that fulfil Engineering New Zealand’s requirements to maintain accreditation.   

However, in the meeting on Monday, Simon Hall told students “I can’t promise it” in regard to the accreditation.  

The proposal said the school of natural sciences was forecasted to miss its required margin by approximately $8.2 million dollars for 2023.  

The school of food and advanced technology was forecasted to miss the required margin by approximately $4.8 million dollars for 2023.  

Engineering student Hannah said it would be extremely competitive and last minute to enrol into a different engineering degree with an influx of Massey students transferring. 

“My degree will be tarnished going into the industry from what Massey has done to us.” 

She imagined herself and peers getting pay cuts due to the reputation damage.  

Hannah said a majority of their assignments are due in the last month of the semester, but with the stress of the proposal, she could see a serious drop in student’s mental health and grades.  

The university has continued to push that student services are available, however, students said the counsellor services sometimes had waitlists of a month.  

Hannah suggested affected students get a blanket impaired performance on the basis of emotional turmoil.  

An allegation circulated that the university was already renting out the newly built Albany Innovation Complex used for science courses, leading students to believe the proposed cuts were a done deal.  

However, a Massey University spokesperson said space that is currently rented out had been that way since the building opened.  

The school of veterinary science was forecast to miss its margin by approximately $2.4 million dollars for 2023. However, it was not being cut as the university expected enrolment and revenue to increase. 

Auckland students protested against the cuts last Thursday at a staff forum. They will be protesting again this Thursday at the Stop the Cuts Rally, at 12pm at the Student Plaza.