Proposed changes to Waikato University’s academic structure could see current departments and faculties replaced with four main faculties.

During an address to University staff, Vice-Chancellor Roy Crawford also hinted that due to a massive increase in student enrolments, the University may become more “selective” about who it allows to study and continue studying at Waikato.

According to the proposed new organisational structure, four faculties would be established as the main academic organisational units of the University. The four proposed faculties are: a Faculty of Education (with the School of Curriculum Studies; School of Professional Studies in Education; School of Sport, Cultural, and Human Development; and the Pathways College), a Faculty of Business and Law (with the Waikato Management School and the School of Law), a Faculty of Sciences and Engineering (with the School of Computing and Mathematical Sciences; School of Science; and School of Engineering), and a Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (subject to the outcomes of the FASS re-organisation process, the School of Humanities, Music and Performing Arts; School of Maori and Pacific Development; School of Psychology; and School of Social Sciences).

Each Faculty would be made up of Schools and no Departments. The Faculties would be led and managed by Executive Deans and the Schools by a Head of School or in particular cases a Dean, such as the Dean of Law.

On Tuesday 11 August, Vice-Chancellor Roy Crawford hosted an “Update on Strategic Issues” to all the university staff members to discuss and question the proposed changes.

“It is critically important that an institution of our size to have a very clear picture about what we’re doing and need to do. We need to move forward in a way that is strategic in a very competitive and very complex environment,” said Crawford.

According to University management, the reasoning behind the proposed changes is to create a more ‘One University’ atmosphere around campus, to help cut overall costs, and to manage all areas more efficiently and effectively.

Also, the issue of current enrolments was raised in the meeting. Currently Waikato University is 6.5% over its estimated quota which was 8165 Equivalent Full Time Students (EFTS) but now looks to top 8700 by the end of the year. If any tertiary institution records over 3% rise or loss in student numbers in relation to their quota, government funding may be reduced.

“The government indicated that 103% is the absolute maximum an institution could go over in student number... We are currently sitting at 106.5% over our estimated quota,” said Crawford.

When asked whether capping student numbers would allow the university to be more selective to exclude those who are not passing, Vice-Chancellor Roy Crawford answered, “The University could be more selective around entry level and progression.”

Crawford also talked about the precarious situation of CUP courses at Pathways College and what is to be done about them.

“We need to start thinking long and hard about how many students we should take in to the sub-degree courses where they’re not yet ready for university and the government keeps telling us that that’s not the business we should be in. We should be teaching the undergraduates and post-graduates.”

WSU President Ben Delaney says he hopes the proposed changes will not sacrifice academic quality at the University. “It is important as changes occur that the level of service and quality for students is not compromised.”

Staff members now have 13 days to submit their opinions about the proposed changes before submissions close.

All final decisions about the proposal will be made and submitted by November 30 2009.