CHARLES Sturt University may be shedding up to 145 positions from its workforce and more than 600 subjects, but CSU says it will not "walk away" from any campus.
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This week CSU said it would cut at least 600 under-performing subjects from its offerings, then just two days later it announced up to 145 positions would be axed from its multi-campus workforce.
CSU acting vice chancellor Professor John Germov said he understood it was a very difficult time for staff and students.
"We're trying to deal with this situation as sensitively and humanely as possible, but unfortunately it will result in some job losses," he said.
"Our core mission is to be here for the long term."
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Of the jobs to be cut, between 100 and 110 are full-time equivalent positions, while a further 35 are currently vacant and will not be filled.
The announcements have come ahead of CSU's projected $49.5 million budget deficit which is due, in a large part, to the COVID-19 pandemic, Professor Germov said.
"Pre-COVID we were forecasting a $16 million deficit, but COVID has made that so much worse," he said.
The loss of international students has caused the blow-out to the forecast losses.
Prof Germov said a range cost-saving measures had already been conducted across the university, but still more money needed to be saved.
He said the non-salary savings included delaying capital works and cutting back on air travel, and while this "has saved millions" it is still not enough.
The job cuts will come in two phases. Phase one will commence in August for administrative staff, while phase two will be in the faculties and include teaching staff and administration staff who work there.
Voluntary redundancies will be accepted along with offers of phased pre-retirement which would see staff reduce their hour. The rest of the job cuts will be forced redundancies.
"That should be sufficient, this is all subject to consultation and negotiation," Prof Germov said.
Those consultations are currently underway with staff and he said actual job cuts by campus are yet to be decided upon internally.
Prof Germov said the cuts to subjects announced this week may come in the form of "consolidating course offerings" and a potential reduction of annual intakes.
He also moved to quash rumours that CSU was looking to sell off its Dubbo campus to the NSW Government for a sport precinct hub.
"Dubbo is one of the foundation campuses in the CSU act that set up the university," he said.
"At this stage we're not looking at walking away from any campus.
"There's an allied sporting precinct next door and we're collaborating, but it's for the benefit of the community."
Prov Germov praised CSU staff for their commitment during this difficult time.
"People have really come together and worked really well," he said.
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