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The University of Otago is defending its proposal to axe its Centre of Materials Science and Technology which could lead to the loss of five jobs.
The Tertiary Education Union (TEU) has criticised the timing of the decision saying staff had not been given enough time to develop other viable options for the centre.
The fresh job losses come as the university starts the first phase of its review which will result in the loss of 160 full-time equivalent (FTE) jobs.
Pro-vice-chancellor of sciences Prof Richard Barker said the centre was not economically viable and had not attracted enough students.
In 2017, there were 29 FTE students studying at the centre, including postgraduates. The centre’s income was substantially less than its cost and it had an annual deficit of several hundred thousand dollars.
Five FTE jobs would be lost as part of the proposal and Prof Baker some of the staff affected could be transferred to other areas within the university such as the department of food science.
A two-week consultation process would allow staff and students to have a say on the proposal. There had been a long period of informal consultation when the concerns about the viability of the centre had been discussed, Prof Baker said.
"Dependent on the outcome of consultation of the proposal, I am hopeful that several staff will be in a position to take advantage of other opportunities within the university," he said.
Affected students had already been contacted.
"If the proposal goes ahead, it is my intention to offer an unchanged programme to existing students for 2018 and, hopefully, into 2019."
A final decision on the proposal would likely be made in December.
Otago University TEU branch organiser Kris Smith said the centre was established only last year and had not been given enough time to prove its worth.
"It’s a department that has been through management changes process through the past five or six years and this is probably its third management change process."
A redeveloped programme for the centre had been submitted early this year but had been rejected, she said.
"They didn’t give them the time and resources they said they would be given to make a successful proposal."
The university also confirmed it had advised 21 staff members it was proposed their jobs would be changed as part of the review announced last month.
The university’s human resources director, Kevin Seales, said it had always indicated the processes would begin immediately with senior manager and manager positions.
The job reviews ranged from minor to major changes but in some, positions could be disestablished, Mr Seales said. It was not yet known how many staff would leave the university and in some cases there could be other positions within it they could apply for, he said.
The processes for other positions, indicated in the review, would be concluded by the middle of next year, he said.
"The university appreciates the impact this has on staff, and support and counselling services are available to affected staff at this time."
TEU organiser Shaun Scott said the union was working with a number of staff affected by the review process.