Deakin University’s leaders have called off a contentious restructure and apologised over an “unsettling” fortnight that saw hundreds of employees threatened with retrenchment.
In an email to staff, chancellor Claire Higgins and caretaker vice-chancellor Matthew Clarke said they had decided not to proceed with organisational changes that were unveiled on 4 June. “Your roles continue as they are,” the email says. “The focus now is on stability and getting on with the work that matters.
“We know this period has been unsettling, and that the uncertainty has weighed on many of you. We are sorry for that.”
Times Higher Education understands that the governing council and much of the executive had been taken by surprise by the proposals. The council had been consulted on the plans but had not approved them and had been given details only after the proposals were made public, despite having oversight of workforce strategy and compliance with employment law.
Insiders believe the council had intended to call off the restructure following the abrupt departure of Iain Martin as vice-chancellor, five days after the restructure was announced, but had been advised that it could not do so while formal consultations – due to conclude on 19 June – were under way.
