The University of Technology Sydney has suspended new enrolments for 146 courses across six faculties as it prepares for a controversial redundancy program to save $100 million.
Academics said their shock at the scale of the course cuts was compounded by bizarre stress management advice provided by an outside health company.
They were directed to a wellbeing hub that included 50 tips for staff potentially losing their jobs.
The advice included “do that task you’ve been dreading, like washing delicates, organising receipts for your taxes, or cleaning a bathroom”.
Other suggestions included “bake a dessert” and “brush or floss your teeth every day. Dental work later in life can be painful and expensive!”
Dr Gul says the list horrified already distressed staff. (Supplied: Hossai Gul)
The ABC understands staff and the NTEU asked the university to withdraw the list of tips, concerned they “trivialise psychosocial harm and are profoundly embarrassing for a university”.
“This list naturally de-legitimised concerns of already distressed staff,” said Dr Hossai Gul, a UTS researcher and representative for the National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU).
“It is simply not something that should be shared at a university training future psychologists — our academics in that department and in health were horrified.”
‘Self care’ suggestions offered to UTS staff
- Do that task you’ve been dreading, like washing delicates, organising receipts for your taxes, or cleaning a bathroom.
- Put an energetic song on and tell yourself, “I will clean up my room just as long as this song is playing.”
- Brush and floss your teeth every day.
- Start a tea ritual. Choose a type of tea that relaxes you and schedule a daily appointment with yourself to brew and enjoy it.
- Find your favourite restaurant online and write them a positive review.
‘Staff are in absolute shock’
Academics were angry they weren’t consulted on the course suspensions, saying university governance arrangements weren’t followed.
“The list of course suspensions is devastating across some faculties, and staff are in absolute shock and could not speak at the meeting today,” Dr Gul said.
The suspended courses include 12 in the Business School, 60 in Design in Society, 14 in Engineering and IT, 33 in the Faculty of Health, two from the Faculty of Law, 21 from the Faculty of Science and four trans-disciplinary courses.
UTS staff risk jobs to raise concerns over $100m restructure
A staff member from the Faculty of Health who did not want to be identified, expressed concern about suspending the Graduate Certificate in Diabetes Education and Management, which they said taught a large number of Indigenous educators.
Staff have reported high rates of psychological distress as they waited for updates on the controversial redundancy program called Operational Sustainability Initiative (OSI).
In an email to staff, Vice-Chancellor Professor Andrew Parfitt said the suspensions were “temporary” and no final decision had been made on either course cuts or job losses.
“I want to be very clear that no decision has been made to discontinue any course. The temporary suspension is aimed at prospective new students for 2026,” said Professor Parfitt.
Professor Parfitt said the suspended courses had “low student enrolments” and the suspensions were necessary to prevent students applying for courses that may not proceed.
UTS Vice-Chancellor Andrew Parfitt says the suspensions are temporary. (AAP: Bianca De Marchi)
Impact of redundancy program being investigated
SafeWork New South Wales is investigating the impact OSI is having on staff. Those staff expressed concerns about other briefings from management on the redundancy process.
“UTS staff describe leaving in a worse psychological state than when they arrived. Several flagged increased heart rate, agitation, or feelings of invalidation triggered by the session’s structure and content. Some have called these sessions a form of institutional violence,” Dr Gul said.
It was revealed last month that university executives racked up a $140,000 bill on a US trip. (ABC News: Chris Taylor)
In a statement, a university spokesperson said they were “very mindful of our need to support staff through periods of uncertainty and change”.
“The externally-developed resource on ’50 tips’ is just one of many support resources available. Other material includes key internal contacts, training, counselling, well-being and career resources,” the spokesperson said.
“We recognise that the change process is difficult, and not all resources are going to be suitable for everyone and we review resources available based on the feedback from staff.”
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The spokesperson said the university had sought to hear from staff in town hall meetings and drop-in sessions.
OSI is designed to save the university $100 million dollars, which UTS said was necessary because revenue was not covering its costs.
Documents released under Freedom of Information laws showed the university paid consultants KPMG $5 million to design OSI.
Staff have been told 400 people — about 10 per cent of the workforce — will lose their jobs later this year in a process that has seen a significant backlash on campus and criticism from federal parliament.
University sends executives to US as staff face sack
Staff already angry at the redundancy process were further outraged when ABC news revealed the vice-chancellor and a team of senior executives spent at least $140,000 on a trip to the US for an alumni event.
A number of other Australian universities are also laying off staff and cutting courses.
The sector has sought more funding from government for both teaching and research.
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