Salient
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Whiria Project: Major VUW Restructure in the Works, But With Great Push Back
- Salient
- Te Aorewa Rolleston | Ngāti Ranginui, Ngāi te Rangi | She/Her <figure class=" sqs-block-image-figure intrinsic " > Victoria University of Wellington is proposing a substantial restructure plan named the ‘Whiria Project’—which translates as “to plait” or weave. The proposal has come as a surprise to many staff and has largely been met with resistance, particularly from unionised staff. The 30 page discussion document seen by Salient also lacks substantial focus on student experience and engagement. According to senior leadership, the proposal is the University’s effort to “adapt” to the current times with the economic impact of COVID-19 a significant feature of the discussion document. The discussion document outlines a series of significant changes across the entire structure of the University which will impact students, staff, schools of learning, and senior leadership. Key areas of focus within the document include: Dividing and sectioning the current three tier organisational structure to make it more fluid and efficient Aligning the current academic systems to the strategic plan focusing on a global, civic university Examining ways to incorporate values of Te Tiriti o Waitangi more centrally Increasing communication and engagement within the institution Managing the financial stability and cost savings of the university. The proposal has been met with great pushback from stakeholders, highlighting the need for consistent communication and transparency from the University. Salient spoke to VUWSA about their contribution and participation in the Whiria project and whether they believed there had been sufficient consultation. Acting President of VUWSA, Taylah Shuker said they, alongside the Student Academic Committee, were "disappointed with the level of consultation from the University about the Whiria project." Shuker also confirmed that VUWSA had to actively seek documents and facilitate consultation, adding that “if students had been approached early on it would have shown a commitment to students as partners and acknowledged the potential affects this project has on them.” VUWSA understands there is no intention to hold specific student consultation. As a result, “VUWSA has requested an executive summary of the Whiria discussion document (shorter than the 28 pages to make it more accessible for students), with clear communication on how students can submit feedback.” At the time of publication, VUWSA had not received a summary. As well as consultation with students and student representatives, there were also concerns expressed for academic and administrative staff. Several VUW staff have spoken to wider media explaining that staff were already feeling exhausted and stressed and that the recently revealed discussion document was worrying. Tutor and doctorate student, Erica Cassie told Salient that many tutors have been sharing their concerns around the University's decision making. She said the insufficient consultation has caused many tutors to fear for their job security. Cassie said, “The first time I actually saw the document was when it was released to staff a few days ago.” “There haven’t been discussions in our school and there hasn’t been a great amount of information sent to me either as a tutor or as a postgraduate student.” “It’s really hard to pass the document, it does not make sense to most people.” “Staff are focussed on trying to teach and support students through all the ongoing disruptions of this year - now is not the time to be piling on still more uncertainty and the prospect of job cuts.” Co-President of the Tertiary Education Union VUW Branch, Dougal McNeill, said that "It is astounding that, in the middle of an ongoing global pandemic, the University's senior leadership should think this a good time to initiate wide-ranging and ill-thought-out restructuring.” McNeill added that the further centralisation and concentration of power Whiria proposes “will be bad for students and staff. It's more of the same tired managerialism that has served higher education so poorly over the past decades. And it would have to result in job losses.” He stresses that students and staff “need more connection, support and interaction as a community of learners, not still further powers given to an ever-growing centre.” Union members joined in what were some of the biggest union meetings in years to have their say on this project. McNeill states The Whiria Project needs to be withdrawn, “and the Vice Chancellor and Provost need to work urgently to try and restore trust and relationship with University staff." Salient spoke to Deputy Vice Chancellor Māori, Professor Rawinia Higgins about the proposal and the contribution the Māori community have had in the proposal’s intentions. “As we were trying to weave together a number of different reports that we had done over time, Whiria was really trying to put that into a discussion document.” “In terms of the Māori part of that, I was very much involved and Dr Ocean Mercier (Te Kawa a Maui) was included.” Professor Higgins explained that this was a kaupapa where Māori were definitely involved and that it was an opportunity to look ahead at how the university will function in the future. Professor Higgins went on further to explain that she was confident with the support being facilitated by the leadership team in centralising the iho of the university, the marae complex and normalising Te Reo Māori. In regard to engaging and consulting tauira, Professor Higgins said that “to my understanding, people within their respective communities are engaging with their representatives.” “I had the Ngāi Tauira (Māori Student’s Association) representatives join me in a Zui and assume they will engage their student bodies. I have said that I am happy to talk if they want me to.” The discussion document recommends giving Te Kawa a Māui more prominence in the new structure as a means to upholding Te Tiriti. In statement the University responded to Salient’s request for comment on the Whiria Project and the concerns being felt by students and staff. “The document released is a discussion document not a proposal. It offers some high-level draft recommendations simply to help clarify, challenge and progress thinking prior to consultation. The document was put together by the Senior Leadership Team after discussions with those whose roles could be affected by changes to the academic structure, namely SLT Members, Deans, Associate Deans and Heads of School.” “The discussion document was developed by the people whose roles could be affected by changes to the academic structure. This week’s issue of Whītiki—our student newsletter—will include an item directing students to a Whiria project webpage and the discussion document.” Students and staff have been given until the 14th September to provide feedback on the Whiria Project following which a report will be released sharing those responses. Students are invited to contribute feedback via email to whiriafeedback@vuw.ac.nz The full discussion document (pictured above) is now available on the University's website.
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