Lincoln University announced last year it had begun negotiations with potential education providers for a takeover of the university’s Telford division campus based near Balclutha.
As part of a three-month "Refreshing Lincoln" proposal to reduce debt at the university it was also confirmed 16 job positions at Telford would be disestablished.
North Island-based Taratahi Agricultural Training Centre and the Southern Institute of Technology both indicated interest in taking over Telford from Lincoln.
Fairfax reported staff members at the Telford Division were told on Thursday Taratahi would take over as tertiary provider in the next three months.
However, when contacted by the Otago Daily Times, Taratahi chief executive Arthur Graves said nothing was confirmed.
"We haven’t finalised any decisions at this point."
He said the provider was still in the process with Lincoln and a decision would be announced next week.
"It’s too early at this stage."
Telford Farm Board chairman Murray Pilgrim said "nothing was signed."
He did not want to prejudice a decision before it was made.
"We’ve got to sit tight."
Any comments made by staff to the media were either "made up or speaking out of turn".
Mr Pilgrim understood an announcement would be made on Tuesday.
Telford shearing tutor and Clutha District councillor Ken Payne said the process was diabolical buthe had not been informed of any outcome.
"I must have missed that if they have."
He said staff did not know what the decision would be.
Tertiary Education Union president Sandra Grey said the union had been "kept out of the loop" regarding negotiations.
Dr Grey was worried the union was not properly informed as a potential stakeholder for Telford employees.
"We’re a bit concerned about the lack of consultation and the lack of involvement with the community, people were being told information the union did not know or was being flatly denied by the university."
"Other people might have heard a decision has been made but we’ve had nothing at all given to us to indicate that," Dr Grey said.
The union was involved in discussions with Lincoln on Thursday concerning the takeover and when it was going to be more involved in the process.
Dr Grey said it was told there was no change from last year.
"There needs to some real upfront action on behalf of the university to actually talk about when things will be happening next."
It was hard for the students and for the community, she said.
Clutha Mayor Bryan Cadogan said he knew nothing about the reports.
"I was quite concerned to see those comments."
Other than talking to the farm board, Mr Cadogan had not heard anything.
"That in itself is worrying."
He could only hope for the best outcome for the staff at Telford and the district.
A Lincoln University spokeswoman did not confirm or answer specific questions about the alleged report Taratahi was to take over.
"We are still working through options and will have an announcement next week," the spokeswoman said in a statement.
