Dear staff of UNE,
Last week I sent a welcome message introducing myself and some priorities.
I have received feedback that some people are concerned about what might be meant by the term “right students”. I am interested to see that this phrase has (inadvertently) created interest. It is reassuring to hear that our students are considered our number one priority across our institution. In hindsight, this could have been better expressed as it is now obvious to me that the phrase has different interpretations across UNE. I had in mind those students who suit the courses where we can mobilise our existing teaching and support resources to accept more students without causing undue stress upon our people and or systems.
In the medium term, our offerings will be defined by a broader vision defining how UNE positions itself in the Australian and global higher education landscape. I want to focus on the current situation because there is a tactical urgency around improving student numbers in 2024. However, I do not want this to be interpreted as saying that everyone should immediately start trying to get more students in all courses, irrespective of the current capacity to accept and teach them with the excellence in student experience that is our hallmark.
I am fully aligned with the UNE ethos and history of being an inclusive university for all. As I have already outlined, I will be holding forums to listen, engage and continue this discussion in the coming weeks and months, and I look forward to active participation across UNE as we progress.
I hope this clarifies the previous brief wording.
Kind regards,
Professor Chris Moran
Vice-Chancellor & CEO
That is great to hear! I was one of those who had wondered what you meant by using that term 🙂
Trimesterisation has impacted UNE staff due to the inability to take leave and causing a huge leave liability on our institution, it has also affected Armidale as a whole in that students are now leaving town in October and not returning until March. Local business’ have closed and town is much quieter than it used to be.
UNE’s marketing strategy seems to be floored as well. Most advertisements you see or hear are for online students only, this is definitely not the case. At a recent careers fair staff attended in Sydney the shock from potential students and their families to find that we did indeed have student accommodation on campus and face to face teaching.
Thank you for clarifying, and for being so willing to address staff concerns quickly!