During a meeting yesterday morning, pro vice-chancellor, sciences, Prof Vernon Squire informed staff in the departments of a proposal to establish a department of Applied Sciences, which would incorporate Clothing and Textile Sciences and elements of the department of Design Studies.
"The process of considering the proposal is at an early stage, and people who work in these departments are currently being consulted," he said.
A staff member in one of the departments, who declined to be named, said little was known about the proposal, or how it would affect jobs, and at this stage, it was business as usual.
The university's website shows the department of Design Studies employs 13 academic staff and seven administrative staff, and the department of Clothing and Textile Sciences employs seven academic staff.
Courses in clothing and textile sciences aim to provide the terminology, theoretical bases, and practical competencies to analyse structure, function and behaviour of clothing and various materials, including textiles and leather.
The department also operates the Clothing and Textiles Centre, which was established in 1989 to provide a consultancy service and to carry out contract research.
Initially underwritten by the Dunedin City Council, the centre has been self-funded since 1992.
It is not known how or if it will be affected by the proposal.
The department of Design Studies offers a range of design courses in fields including communication, industry, environment and technology.
The department's website noted "we are still accepting applications for the final four places on the 2010 master of design programme".
The design studies programme was developed within the School of Consumer and Applied Science, which was established in 1911 as the School of Home Science.
Since its emergence as a distinct subject in the mid-1980s, design studies has grown into a multi-layered course and became a full department within the School of Consumer and Applied Science in 2001.
The department has grown steadily since then.
