Australian National University announces more job cuts from across academic portfolio as it seeks to save $250 million
The staffing cuts come in addition to the 59 job cuts proposed earlier this month and the 41 proposed job cuts announced in June.
The latest roles are to be cut under a proposed restructuring of the academic portfolio, which provides student-facing services and staff support in teaching and learning.
Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic Professor Joan Leach said the draft changes were aimed at consolidating the university's services and would lead to about $5 million in savings.
She said they were the largest of the proposed changes at the university because the academic portfolio "touches every part of the university".
"We're not looking to cut support or service.
"We've emphasised the student-facing services. Students will not notice a lesser service. We're actually trying to increase student services and give students a better student experience.
Professor Leach said the changes would streamline support for staff in the areas where they needed it, for example helping understand the benefits of artificial intelligence in teaching.
"The way we support teaching and learning at the moment has been hollowed out by other changes we've made at the university.
"We're on a journey."
Vice-Chancellor Genevieve Bell said the university had been spending more than it earned for many years.
"There is no easy fix to address the challenges faced by ANU, but living outside our means is not a responsible financial position, and we continue to be grateful for the ongoing engagement of the university and broader community to help support us through this period.
"Through the hard work of our community, we're making good progress towards meeting our cost base reductions."
ANU launched the cost-cutting initiative Renew ANU last year as it tries to reduce spending by $250 million — a goal it says will ensure the long-term future of the institution.
Of that, the university says they are aiming to save $100 million in staff costs.
Since the project started, approximately 135 workers have left through a Voluntary Separation Scheme, according to a statement issued by the university.
Another 87 have been made redundant.
The latest proposed cuts are not definite, and affected staff have a four-week consultation period to provide their feedback to the university.
Changes to the College of Science and Medicine and College of Arts and Social Sciences are also open for consultation.
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