University documents obtained by Nexus reveal a proposed re-structuring of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS) curriculum which could see the permanent axing of all foreign language papers from the University of Waikato.

Four models have been proposed in the FASS Academic Planfor the re-structuring with a final decision to be made later in the year. The second model is the preferred choice for FASS to take, which would see the axing of Japanese and Spanish language papers in favour of three core foreign languages: French, German, and Chinese.

The second preference after Model #2, is Model #3, which proposes the scrapping of all foreign languages from the University curriculum, “…for whatever reasons, to structure effective Humanities/ language qualifications, proposes the disestablishment of all five foreign languages currently offered by FASS.”

The changes to different parts of FASS are according to the amount of Equivalent Full Time Students (EFTS) each department record. Those with the least EFTS are more likely to be scrapped first.

Also according to the obtained documents, FASS redundancies are still on the cards

“[Irrespective] of the outcome of this proposal, we are in a situation in which redundancies are an important part of FASS’s considerations. The FASS proposal must account for this. It is possible, of course, that a timely retirement or resignation may, but not necessarily will, occur in an area that will not warrant replacement in the proposal. If such a case occurs, it would clearly offset any possible staffing reduction as discussed in the proposal.”

FASS Dean Professor Dan Zirker said, through a statement released by the University PR and Marketing department, “that the August 11 meeting of the Academic Board endorsed the FASS proposal  for Model 2. This includes the creation of a curriculum committee which will consider the viability of the faculty’s existing programmes and the provision of new programmes. The committee would be established this year and would run for the foreseeable future,” Zirker was quoted as saying in the statement.

“Under the FASS review proposal, Model 2, the faculty would contain a School of Psychology, a School of Social Sciences and a School of Humanities, Music and Performing Arts. The Vice-Chancellor is now considering the recommendations of both the FASS Special Board of Studies meeting, as well as the meeting of the Academic Board,” the statement said.