Student Consultation Reveals Proposed Faculty Structure

Eva Milne & Daniela Onyewuenyi

This afternoon, VP Education Blair Grubb and Dean’s convenor Jeff Blackford outlined the details of the proposed restructuring of the current 8 schools into 3 faculties. The event was organised by the DUSA executive and provided students a second occasion to raise questions concerning the restructuring.

Finn Millar's Demonstration Posters critiquing the handling of the financial crisis. (Alex Stewart)

After a fifteen-minute delay, the event commenced with Blackford relaying what was previously presented to the senate. The presentation slides discussed staff feedback, latest proposal summary, latest status of reorganisation, potential impact upon students, and the key differences between a faculty and a division.

This is not a final approved plan, the event consisted of Grubb and Blackford presenting the current stage of the proposal and consulting with students for their feedback and questions.

One key change from previous proposals, is the faculty of Health- which moves Psychology from the School of Humanities, Social Sciences and Law. The three outlined faculties which were discussed today were:

1. Science (Engineering, Computing, Maths, Physics, Life Sciences and CAHID).

2. Health (Medicine, Health Sciences, Dentistry, Psychology).

3. Social Sciences (DJCAD, Humanities, Law, Business, Education and Social Work, Energy Environment and Society).

The rationale behind these changes is largely due to the University’s precarious financial position. However, both Grubb and Blackford continuously emphasised the benefits of the restructuring; namely the sense of connectivity which will be fostered between schools.

Blackford said; “After staff reductions, eight schools will not be able to sustain the administrative and academic roles needed independently, while we can support three sets of Faculty offices, better connected to the centre”.

The proposed downsizing will reduce costs and capital expenditure. However, the feedback from the previous proposal (which has been adjusted and reassessed, as was the function of today’s consultation) was not accepted by staff overall. A detailed financial analysis of the benefits of the restructuring has been requested.

Grubb and Blackford outlined the risks and benefits which may accompany the proposed three faculties (Science, Health, Social Sciences); with the risks largely outweighing the benefits. Each proposed risk was accompanied by a mitigation; however the strengths of the mitigations are debatable. One risk presented was ‘low staff morale’ to which Blackford said;

“morale has picked up a bit, but it’s still quite low”.

The floor was then opened for questions from students in attendance online and in person, which was lower than the previous meeting; largely due to students being home for summer.

Maud Verhoeven, SRC Chair asked,

“As schools are merged into larger faculties or colleges, how will you ensure that students continue to feel seen, supported, and individually recognised within a much larger system?”

Blackford replied: “It’s a potential risk, but it is possible to mitigate it. By keeping disciplined areas and schools, to have an identity, that’s where that connection will stay”.

Grubb added, “We have promised that the incoming set of school presidents will continue for the rest of the academic year, I think that this group of presidents should think about how they would like their students to be represented within disciplines, in the new structure, because that’ll be important to discipline identity”.

The precise makeup of the proposed restructuring is yet to be confirmed, as this consultation merely presented a proposal. However, if this proposal were to be actioned, the department of Social Sciences is likely to suffer.

Dani McFawns, the current DUSA VP of Academia expressed concern for the proposed Social Sciences faculty, asking Grubb and Blackford to discuss the rationale for the makeup of the faculty:

“The others seem to have some kind of logic to them in a linked subject (health/science) but this faculty seems like just 'everyone else' - I don't see any sort of links between, e.g. law and DJCAD and I think this raises a lot of concern for morale and identity.”

As stated previously, the proposed faculty will bring together; DJCAD, Humanities, Law, Business, Education and Social Work, Energy Environment and Society. However, there are many disciplines within each division. The proposed faculty will encounter the following disciplines:

• Animation

• Architecture

• Urban Planning

• Art and Design (General Foundation)

• Environmental Sustainability

• Experience Design

• Fine Art

• Graphic Design

• Illustration

• Interior and Environmental Design

• Jewellery and Metal Design

• Product Design

• Textiles

• English

• Philosophy

• History

• Politics

• Languages

• Law

• Education

• Business

• Community Education

• Social Work

• Geography

• Environmental Science

McFawns raised an important point, despite Grubb advocating for the sense of ‘connectivity’ which the proposed structure will foster, there seems to be little connection between many of these subjects, for example jewellery and history.

This was the second instance of student engagement, with the last townhall meeting on May 6th. Incoming DUSA President Tánaiste Custance said:

“There has been close to zero meaningful engagement with students in how our university is run. It is only after twice being rejected by Senate that students are asked our opinion, without being presented any data or alternatives to make an informed choice”.

It is likely that another student consultation meeting will occur in the following months, to which students will be given further opportunity to ask questions about the future of their studies.