Not a self-service kiosk, not a job factory: students and staff protest against proposed 12-week semesters

Emily Graetz reports.

 The Education Action Group rallied outside of Fisher Library today in fierce opposition to the University’s proposal to reduce the length of semesters. The protest, joined by an ardent contingent of students, staff and representatives from the National Tertiary Education Union, was coordinated in response to Deputy Vice Chancellor (Education) Pip Patterson’s proposal that the University transition to a 12-week semester, as opposed to the existing 13-week system. 

 The proposal is largely considered a cost-cutting move despite the fact that the University has produced a much stronger economic recovery from the pandemic than initially predicted - with a 2021 forecast of $202 million more revenue than anticipated. According to critics, the suggested move will mean academics, particularly casuals, will be paid less for the same amount of work, students will receive less support and staff across the university will face an increased workload.  

 Education Officer, Tom Williams, opened the speeches by outlining the myriad negative outcomes of the proposed 12-week semester. Williams argued that the move towards shorter semesters had begun with subtle changes, such as larger class sizes and reduced face-face learning, creating a “new normal” for the university. Williams warned a change to 12-weeks would “by no means be the final step” in reducing educational quality and encouraged the crowd to continue fighting against such proposals. 

 Staff member, Dr Demelza Marlin, continued the rally by arguing that the shortened semesters would mean academics are paid less for the same amount of work. Using UNSW’s shift to 12 week semesters as an example of how reduced learning time would negatively impact staff, Marlin said that the work done by academics “didn’t disappear… it just meant it was taking place outside of class” and that students should not be left to navigate the academic year on their own.

 This is “not a self-service kiosk… It’s a fucking university for fucks sake”, Marlin said. 

 Marlin also explained that the work done by Indigenous scholars and activists to decolonise the University is being threatened by a shorter 12 week semester which would see less time dedicated to facilitating students’ cultural competence. 

 Marlin was followed by SRC Welfare Officer, Owen Marsden-Readford, who spoke about how the proposal reflects the worrying move towards a neoliberal university which reduces the classroom to a “job factory”. 

 Casual staff member, Dr Yaegan Doran emphasised the importance of student-staff collaboration in preventing unnecessary cost-cutting measures, arguing that the proposed move is “purely about finances”. 

 “They’re [university management] saying fuck you. They’re saying we’re going to charge the same [or more] and give you less.”

 Doran continued by contending that such a move would further devastate vulnerable casual staff, of which 17,000 were laid off during the pandemic, before asserting how out of touch university management is with the reality of everyday academic life. 

 The protest concluded with a powerful personal reflection from SRC Women’s Officer, Kimmy Dibben, who spoke of how the university excludes students from lower-socioeconomic backgrounds. 

 “I am poor and I am tired and this university was not built for people like me.” 

 Dibben called for the abolition of universities as we know them, arguing that they reproduce class inequality and fail to democratise education. 

 The Academic Board will vote on this proposal on May 4. You can stay up to date with the work of the Education Action Group here.