localmatters.co.nz
March 18, 2020
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Massey Albany professors, scientists and students, including several from the Hibiscus Coast, took their concerns about their future to the steps of parliament this month, presenting a petition with more than 9000 signatures. Inset, clockwise from back left, Zoology professor James Dale, Assoc. Prof Marine Biology David Aguirre, Snr lecturer Adam Smith, Assoc. Prof Marine Biology Karen Stockin and Masters student Hayden Pye.
Scientists push back against proposals Proposals that include deep cuts to the staffing budget of the College of Sciences at Massey University’s Albany campus have angered Coast-based scientists and students, creating uncertainty around the local provision of natural science
courses such as marine biology, zoology, molecular biosciences, maths, chemistry and physics. A discussion document released on day one of Semester 1 outlined changes which include removal of natural science courses from Albany
and replacing face-to-face teaching with digital platforms. This would leave a focus on business, engineering computer and health sciences. The proposals have the potential to affect more than 70 staff, 150 post-graduate and 650 undergraduate students.
Times are tough in the academic sector, and the discussion document states that annual increases in revenue are not keeping pace with the rise in costs. Local scientists say that in this financial climate, it makes no sense to continued p2