University reviewing two non-academic departments

Two University of Otago departments which employ general staff are the latest to come under the scrutiny as the institution looks to streamline operations and cut costs.

A university spokeswoman confirmed yesterday reviews were under way for Uniprint and the human resources and payroll service.

Human resources and payroll has about 70 staff, while Uniprint, which provides in-house printing and copying services, has about 26.

The university has more than 40 non-academic departments looking after employment, administration, health and safety, marketing and communications, property and security matters, as well as providing services to staff and students such as accommodation, child care, health care, information technology and libraries.

The university spokeswoman said there was no programme of restructuring of the service divisions at this stage.

"However, reviews do periodically take place within these divisions as part of good practice to ensure the most efficient means of operating."

Both reviews involved a consultation process and as yet no decisions had been made about any changes to the way the departments were run, she said.

The structures of four academic departments employing more than 170 academic and general staff are also being reviewed.

The Tertiary Education Union represents more than 1000 academic and general staff on campus.

Otago co-president Teresa La Rooy said yesterday the four academic and two non-academic reviews were the only ones she had heard about.

While it seemed no redundancies were likely to result in the Uniprint restructuring, there could be redundancies in human resources and payroll, she said.

allison.rudd@odt.co.nz