Loss of design studies likely

Keith Hunter
Keith Hunter
A closer look at the University of Otago's draft proposal to merge two departments appears to endorse the "disestablishment" of the design studies department, and the proposal looks likely to be approved, department students say.

Staff and students were notified last month that the university proposed merging the departments of design studies and clothing and textile sciences into a new department of applied sciences.

But a copy of the draft proposal obtained by the Otago Daily Times shows a recommendation "the department of design studies will be disestablished, and design studies will be deleted as a major with some specific topics [like] strategic design becoming minor subjects".

The draft also said "Management of change [redundancies] will be undertaken in the department of design studies, with some staff being offered new positions in the department of applied sciences".

Design studies students Andrew Jacombs and Angus McBryde believe the process is further along than the university's administration would have people believe.

"It's been approved by all the pro-vice-chancellors [divisional heads] of the university and Vice-Chancellor Prof Sir David Skegg," Mr Jacombs said.

"The university administration suddenly changed the process on Tuesday through which the proposal must go.

"They have removed a key opportunity for debate by bypassing the Division of Sciences board meeting, and have instead proceeded straight to Senate, which has a much lower proportion of student/OUSA representation."

Pro-vice-chancellor sciences, Prof Keith Hunter, said staff were informed of the small change in process this week.

"This was done because the Academic Board of Sciences is principally a body that receives academic proposals.

"As such, the board will debate the suggested amendments to degree structures but it is less suitable as a forum to discuss the proposal to establish a Department of Applied Sciences.

"The change also gives staff more time to consider the proposal."

Mr McBryde believed the restructuring was the largest administrative or academic change at the university since the disestablishment of the Russian Department 15 years ago.

"The proposal, as it stands, would significantly reduce the value of studying design at Otago, by removing a substantial portion of the programme as it currently exists.

"It would no longer be possible to major in design, which would deter substantial [numbers] of students."

Mr McBryde said the design studies department was preparing a counter proposal which would be presented to Prof Skegg, along with the divisional proposal.

He would then decide which documents to send to Senate.

"The possibilities from this are that he will send both, one or the other, or a new proposal combining pieces from each.

"Whatever is submitted to senate will then be debated and voted upon."

Prof Hunter repeated the establishment of a Department of Applied Sciences remained under consideration as a document for discussion.

"As previously stated, the process of considering the proposal is at an early stage and people who work in these departments are currently being consulted."

john.lewis@odt.co.nz

 

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