More than 170 jobs could go at Victoria University if management goes ahead with plans to outsource services, according to staff.
Speakers at a forum held at the Footscray Park campus outlined a range of concerns about outsourcing, including the loss of more jobs on top of 400 axed in the past two years.
Senior lecturer Paul Adams told the forum the university’s difficulty in retaining students would be exacerbated by outsourcing areas such as IT and childcare.
“We’re really worried about the future of the university,” he said. “We’re worried [outsourcing] could destroy the institution.
“We’re saying ‘think about it’, because it’s hard to unravel something once it’s rolled out.”
VU deputy vice-chancellor Professor Duncan Bentley confirmed further job losses this year but said it was necessary.
“The university is looking at as many ways as possible to improve its efficiency, not simply job losses,” he said.
