Download the Freedom of Information documents (part 1 here; part 2 here)
The recently released FOI documents show that as recent a 30 January 2009 Victoria University Council were vigorously discussing the option of a merger with LaTrobe University. This was kept secret from students and staff and the western region community.
Moreover in Sept 2008 VU’s Vice Chancellor, Liz Harman, considered swapping VU’s Psychology courses for La Trobe University’s Sport Science courses. The idea was dropped when it was realised it was not a good deal financially. The NTEU finds it of particular concern for two reasons.
Firstly, this is a proposal being aired by the VC of a University with a legislated mission to provide tertiary education to the people living in the western region of Melbourne. VU also sees itself as working to meet the broader needs of the western region community, which performs poorly on a range of socio-economic/health indices and has large unmet needs in professional areas relating to psychology and welfare. Why would such a University voluntarily cease to produce graduates with a strong psychology background for a range of relevant helping professions? Why would it voluntarily cease to provide graduates with PhD, professional doctoral and master’s degrees in counselling, clinical, health and community psychology? How would abolishing VU Psychology be consistent with the development of the VU Health Precinct?
Secondly, any proposal to eliminate a whole group from a University leads one to think that perhaps that area is problematic or not contributing. Is this the case with Psychology? No. Psychology continues to be one of the most attractive areas for new students within the University, with over 600 enrolled in 2009 first year classes. Its graduate ratings in the latest Good University Guide place it at the forefront of all psychology courses in Victoria. It has a high proportion of higher degree (RTS) places – about a third of the total number within the Faculty. Research publication rates are healthy, collaborative links with the community strong and in the four years from 2004 to 2007 researchers in the School of Psychology brought in over $1.5 million in external grant income. It has one of the highest ratios of research active staff in the University and psychology doctoral students typically dominate at graduation ceremonies – seven will graduate in mid 2009. In 2008 the School which includes psychology finished with a very healthy financial surplus.
The question we must ask ourselves is why would a VC with sound judgement consider offloading an enterprise which is contributing so successfully to the University’s mission? Are we seeing evidence of a different agenda here – an agenda that would downgrade VU as a place that seeks to meet the needs of the community of the western region? Or are we seeing evidence of a VC with very poor judgement? Perhaps both.
