JOB cuts are on the cards at Charles Sturt University (CSU) campuses with the educator taking urgent steps to offset an $80 million decline in revenue.
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The hit is largely a result of the current impacts on the university's international program and changes will be made to its workforce, courses and campuses and it will include a review of non-salary expenses.
The first round of job cuts will be announced by the end of June, with a second round of "workforce changes" expected in early 2021.
"Unfortunately, we will be unable to achieve the savings required to be sustainable without job losses," CSU vice chancellor Professor Andrew Vann said.
"We do not have a target number, we will review our operations carefully and with respect to ensure we have the right structures to deliver our sustainability objectives."
Prof Vann said like many sectors, universities are facing significant hardship in the coming years.
"We must act quickly and with purpose to remediate this financial position," he said.
Prof Vann said CSU's transformation program, Sustainable Futures, was designed to reshape and reposition the university to ensure it continues to deliver excellence.
Unfortunately, we will be unable to achieve the savings required to be sustainable without job losses.
This will build on the strengths of the university and ensure its future is financially and academically sustainable.
"Our plans are designed to ensure we have an operating model across our courses and campuses that is viable, market responsive and drives academic excellence," Prof Vann said.
"It is imperative that we ensure financial sustainability and return to a balanced budget by the end of 2021 while delivering higher education and research opportunities for the people of regional Australia."
Professor Vann said that to achieve these objectives, CSU must implement an operating model that was structured to meet the university's needs and those of its communities, delivering distinctive degrees and quality teaching, learning and research.
"Each element of our operating model will be reviewed to ensure we deliver a course and subject portfolio that is high-quality and sustainable. We expect to release plans for consultation on the first round of changes by the end of June 2020," he said.
"The university will communicate with our staff, stakeholders and students to consult on the proposed changes as they evolve.
"This is not a decision the university has made lightly and we are very mindful of the impact this would have on any staff affected, however it is imperative we act now to preserve a future for our university - an important anchor in the regional communities in which we serve."
CSU aims to return to a balanced budget by the end of 2021.
The university executive and University Council have committed to a 10 per cent pay cut for an initial period of six months to support savings targets.
