95bFM Cuts at Victoria University puts subjects in jeopardy
27 June, 2023
Interview by Jessica Hopkins, adapted by Athena Li-Watts and Ashley-Rose Redstone
Victoria University of Wellington is facing criticism after proposing multiple job and course cuts, such as merging their English and Theatre programmes and discontinuing seven other courses, including Secondary Education. Image: Wikimedia Commons
Victoria University of Wellington is facing criticism after proposing severe cuts in an effort to return to financial sustainability.
As part of their strategy, the University will lay off over 200 university staff, discontinue seven courses, and combine their Theatre and English programmes despite being separate disciplines.
The move follows a recent forecast by the University, which predicted a $33 million deficit for 2023.
In a statement, Victoria University claimed the institution suffered an 8% drop in enrolments in 2022.
One of the courses set to be cut completely is Secondary Education.
Dr Margaret Gleeson told 95bFM’s The Wire that despite Aotearoa's teacher shortage, the programme is on the chopping block because it is expensive to staff multiple subject matter experts needed to prepare future teachers.
“Sometimes you can’t measure things in money. It’s expensive, but it’s a really valuable thing that we’re doing.
Gleeson said the government will continue relying on recruiting teachers from overseas, who don’t receive Te Tiriti centric training.
“We prepare teachers to be responsible Te Tiriti partners and incorporate evidence based practices including mātauranga Māori.”
She highlighted that Victoria's secondary education programme has been developed in consultation with local iwi and Wellington schools and Kura, who employ their graduates, and students won't receive Pōneke specific knowledge if they have to study at other institutions in the country.
“We’re going to be letting them down.”
Senior Lecturer in Theatre at Victoria University Dr James Wenley told The Wire they knew the university was in deep financial trouble but did not expect changes this drastic.
“None of us were expecting such a deep and radical change, effectively the end of the theatre programme.”
According to Wenley, integrating the Theatre programme into the English programme will significantly limit what theatre skills can be taught, especially for students who wish to specialise in theatre design, production management, producing, and directing.
He said the cuts threaten the University’s 50-year history as a world-class theatre education provider.
Victoria University is in the top 1% of performing art programmes internationally, according to the QS World University Rankings 2023.
Wenley highlighted that arts and culture programs are usually the first to be cut by secondary and tertiary institutions.
He stressed that theatre and performing arts are integral for sharing Aotearoa's culture, fostering community, and facilitating social justice movements.
“It brings life to New Zealand, tells stories about ourselves that help us think about identity, and contributes so much to our society. Our theatre students prove that in terms of the amazing work that they go out and do.”
Wenley argued that universities are not given enough government support, which leaves institutions and programmes vulnerable to cuts.
“All universities across the sector are facing really big challenges coming out of the pandemic without wage subsidy support.”
“Universities have been really chronically underfunded and it's all kind of coming home to roost.”
Following these interviews, the government announced an additional $128 million in funding for the tertiary sector.
Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air
