Vice-chancellor Grant Robertson said the cross-university working group was established in early April ‘‘to provide advice and recommendations to the senior leadership team and myself on actions the university can take to respond to the impacts of the fuel crisis’’.
It comes as fuel prices continue to fluctuate in the unstable geopolitical environment as the war between the United States and Iran continues with no end in sight.
Mr Robertson said the group, which would meet every fortnight, hoped to understand the impacts of the fuel crisis on the university as a whole and on staff and students in particular.
‘‘It is also focused on having plans in place if the situation escalates.
‘‘This includes mapping our response against the government’s fuel plan so we are ready to respond if the government moves us through the phases of its plan.’’
As of Sunday, the Ministry for Business Innovation and Employment said the country had 36.4 days’ cover of petrol, along with 27.5 days’ worth of diesel and 31.8 days of jet fuel.
Mr Robertson said ultimately, success would be measured by the university’s ability to maintain continuity of on-campus teaching, learning and research, support the wellbeing of students and staff and manage financial pressures in a responsible and sustainable way.
‘‘Regular communications have been sent to staff and students, drawing on the work of the group.
‘‘For staff, the group has recommended avoiding work-related travel to the Middle East region, owing to the current volatile security risk environment and where travel is necessary, to consider routes that do not transit through the region.’’
Asked what sort of ‘‘levers’’ the university could pull in the event of the situation worsening, such as remote learning, Mr Robertson said they had a ‘‘variety of options’’.
‘‘These will need to balance the welfare of our staff and students and the need to continue delivering teaching, learning and research while mitigating the financial impacts to the university.
‘‘More broadly, we recognise that ongoing global pressures may affect members of our community through rising costs, including fuel. Staff are encouraged to talk with their managers if they are experiencing financial strain to explore what support might be available.
‘‘We are also encouraging any students who have hardship situations related to the global situation to consider if they are entitled to support through the Pūtea Tautoko Student Relief Fund.’’
The university was continuing to operate in a normal way and was dealing with any issues as they arise, Mr Robertson said.
