University of Newcastle proposes staff restructure as architecture in ‘decline’

The university announced the proposed staff restructure in its Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, which includes architecture, on Wednesday.

Architecture would lose four full-time staff positions, with construction management to gain five and industrial design to lose one.

Overall staff numbers wouldn’t change under the plan but some architecture and industrial design staff would have to apply for roles in construction management to stay in the faculty.

The faculty’s Pro Vice-Chancellor Brett Ninness said the restructure is needed to better serve the 750 full-time equivalent students enrolled in the construction management degree, compared with the 300 enrolled in architecture.

The University of Newcastle’s Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment Pro Vice-Chancellor, Brett Ninness. Photo: Supplied

Technological advances have changed the role of architects, Professor Ninness said, creating a need to keep the degree “relevant and future-orientated”.

“The nature of architecture is changing,” he said.

“Unfortunately we’ve seen a decline in students in that area as we’ve been seeing a dramatic increase in the numbers in construction management. We have to manage our resources.”

Only six students now study industrial design, but its academics are valued across other schools and faculties at the university.

The university will now consult the academics’ union and staff members about its proposed changes.

Tom Griffiths, president of the National Tertiary Education Union’s Newcastle branch, said he was pleased overall staff numbers in the faculty won’t change but “concerned” about whether the university’s final decision will reflect staff input.

“Requiring existing academic staff to effectively reapply for their jobs is far from ideal,” he said.