Correspondence between AUS and UC V-C

A selection of recent correspondence between the Canterbury branch president of AUS, David Small, and the UC V-C, Roy Sharp, gives some context to current campaign against the cuts to staffing in the College of Arts.

David Small to Roy Sharp, 21 February 2006:

Dear Roy,

Further to our meeting last week, I'd like to suggest a course of action.

My suggestion is based on the following assumptions:

Financial:

1. That UC has already all but reached the target of your financial recovery plan

2. That this plan is based on a rate of surplus at the higher end of the TAMU guidelines

Academic Morale:

3. That morale among academic staff in the College of Arts (and possibly other parts of UC) is alarmingly low.

4. That a significant feature of that low morale is a very widely held perception among academic staff that a) management does not consult with them and b) there is insufficient long-term academic planning behind the latest moves to cut staff.

5. That this low morale is giving people a sense of disillusionment with UC and undermining their commitment to the institution, and that this has adverse financial consequences.

Academic Planning:

6. That the PVC Arts has initiated a thorough process of developing an academic strategy for the Arts and Social Sciences at UC.

Suggestion:

That the target date for the College of Arts meeting its contribution margin be pushed back by two years.

This would allow for the bulk of the financial improvements to be achieved by means other than forced redundancies. It could be achieved over this longer period by either slowing the transfer of resources to the College of Business and Economics, or generating a surplus not quite so close to the top of the TAMU guidelines or a combination of both these measures.

It would also mean that the adjustment could be made in conjunction with or, better still, in response to the academic strategic planning process in the College of Arts.

A move like this would, I am sure, go a long way to addressing the malaise and disenchantment felt by so many staff who were previously proudly committed to this university.

If such you were prepared to adopt such an approach, I would recommend to members the following:
a) that we do not obstruct the reduction/redistribution of staff in the College of Arts through a combination of attrition, voluntary severance, and flexible employment options; and
b) that the results of our morale survey remain confidential to Matthew and me.

Sincerely,

David Small.

David Small to Roy Sharp on 23 February 2006:

Dear Roy,

Just a quick note to ask whether you are any closer to a response to my suggestion about relaxing the time-frame for achieving the internal adjustments you are seeking. Pressure is mounting from members wanting to release the survey results.

Sincerely,

David

Roy Sharp to David Small on 27 February 2006:

David

Thanks for sending your suggestions.

The College of Arts will have to try and live within its 2006 budget. The Senior Management Team will have a chance to review and confirm the budget parameters and framework for the 2007 budget during this year. Before any final decision regarding the extent of the cuts is made there will be discussion about that at the Senior Management level.

I am not prepared to operate on the principle that there will never be any redundancies and that voluntary severance and attrition will be able to achieve the balance of staff numbers across the University that we need.

Roy

David Small to Roy Sharp, later on 27 February:

Roy,

At our recent meetings (15 Feb and 21 Feb), we presented you with the results of our morale survey and with a proposal for achieving your target contribution margins over a time period longer than you had originally proposed. You said that you would consider these matters and get back to us.

I note that our representations have not asked you for a guarantee of no redundancies. Rather, we proposed ways of giving effect to your stated view that redundancies should be used only used as a method of last resort, and your view that you attach considerable importance to staff morale.

Is this message your official and full response? If it is not, we would appreciate hearing what your response is by 5pm this Tuesday.

I still hope that we can work cooperatively to resolve these important matters.

Sincerely,

David Small

Roy Sharp to David Small, later on 27 February:

David

I am at an all-day meeting tomorrow until 5pm and then at a function. I don't have time before then to give "an official and full response" my full attention. I will try and respond before 5pm on Wednesday.

Roy

Roy Sharp to David Small, 1 March 2006:

David

I am happy for you to take my response as an official and full response. If you want clarification about any aspect of it then I would be pleased to talk further about it with you.

Roy