The Western Advocate understands dozens of casual staff have been told they will not be required once the restructure is in place, adding significantly to the total number of job losses.

Vice-chancellor Professor Andrew Vann last week played down the number of jobs to be lost as part of a restructure that will see CSU’s four existing faculties become three.

He said just 14 administrative jobs would be lost across all the university’s campuses, having a minimal impact on local communities.

But Professor Vann yesterday conceded casual jobs were also on the chopping block.

“Whilst casual staff numbers vary according to workload demands, on the most recent statistics there are only approximately 50 full-time equivalent general casual positions across the four faculties,” Professor Vann said.

“There may be some efficiencies in casual staffing once we have finalised the permanent staffing, but many of the casual staff are employed on projects and contracts that will not be affected by the proposal.

“Where required, casual staff will continue to be employed by the university following the implementation of the common support model.”

Professor Vann rejected suggestions the university had sought to mislead local communities by leaving casual job losses out of its public statements surrounding the restructure.

“The change proposal is written to ensure transparency,” he said.

“Alongside this, the university has provided several question and answer sessions for staff to provide an ongoing open and honest dialogue.

“Under the proposed changes up to 14 full-time equivalent general staff positions across the whole university may no longer be required.

“There are three weeks remaining in the consultation period [and] a final decision is expected at the end of October.”

The Western Advocate understands staff have been told that 247 positions will be “disestablished” as part of the restructure, to be replaced by 233 positions under the new model.

The restructure will see the existing faculties of Arts, Business, Science and Education replaced by faculties of Science, Human Services, and Arts and Business.

The university maintains the changes will not affect teaching quality across its campuses.