Staff cuts and humanities department changes flagged at UTAS to address declining enrolments
The University of Tasmania (UTAS) will cut 13 arts and humanities staff and scrap dedicated tourism courses, as part of a proposed restructure.
The university's proposal will merge the humanities and social sciences faculties into a single school, which would lead to some courses being discontinued.
The 13 positions would be cut through targeted and voluntary redundancies.
The restructure would also include dividing the School of Creative Arts and Media into two parts, and re-establishing the music conservatorium.
The National Tertiary Education Union's (NTEU) Tasmanian secretary Ruth Barton told ABC Radio Hobart that university staff are feeling angry and disappointed.
Professor Lisa Fletcher, UTAS Interim Academic Lead, College of Arts, Law and Education said financial challenges, workload issues, and declining student numbers in arts programs informed the decision to restructure.
The ABC understands the university decided to discontinue the graduate certificate, graduate diploma and masters of tourism, environmental and cultural heritage in 2023.
Professor Fletcher said the university is committed to delivering courses across the humanities, social sciences and creative arts.
Undergraduate student Ally Brown is studying psychological sciences at UTAS, and a gender studies course.
She said she felt the university's decision devalued and de-prioritised the arts and humanities faculties.
"You feel a bit [on the] outer, for sure, doing a humanities degree because the uni doesn't care about it and UTAS isn't known for it," Ms Brown said.
Dr Barton said students may be forced to move to the mainland to study subjects that aren't available locally.
"If students want to do things like certain specialties or follow certain interests, their ability to follow those interests will be limited," she said.
Ms Brown said this would be problematic due to the financial strain it may put on students.
"A lot of people don't have the option to switch to a mainland uni financially," she said.
There are a number of proposed changes to humanities and creative arts and media courses.
The university has proposed to discontinue Asian Philosophy units in its Philosophy major, as well as Indonesian and German language studies.
Up to three staff in the Arts department and one in the Theatre department will lose their jobs.
Dr Barton said this decision was confusing for staff, as Tasmania has a prominent arts sector.
Professor Fletcher said UTAS was committed to ensuring the continuation of arts — both creative and the humanities — in their proposal.
"It is fundamental that we continue to offer those vital disciplines, not just for the career opportunities that they drive, but also because they lead to a better society," Professor Fletcher said.
Dedicated tourism courses will also be cut.
Tourism Industry Council of Tasmania (TICT) chief executive Amy Hills said she was disappointed UTAS would no longer have a dedicated tourism course.
According to the state government, tourism contributes to $4.55 billion or 10.8 per cent of Tasmania's Gross State Product.
The direct and indirect contribution of tourism in Tasmania to GSP is the highest in the country.
"One in six Tasmanians are supported by the visitor economy," Ms Hills said.
Professor Fletcher said students can still study a Bachelor of Business majoring in tourism or hospitality management.
"Tourism is an important industry for Tasmania and the university continues to support the sector where we can add value," she said.
The university's proposal will also see social work and psychology shift to the school of health.
It would also see police and emergency management courses moved to paramedicine, with two roles within policing and emergency management to be axed.
The university said it will carry out a four-week consultation period with staff about the proposed changes.
Dr Barton said that the process is tokenistic.
Ms Fletcher said the proposal period is "genuine".
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