100 signatures reached
To: UTS Vice-Chancellor Andrew Parfitt
UTS Students Say: Stop the Cuts to Our Education
UTS has temporarily suspended new enrolments in 146 courses across the faculties of Business, Design & Society, Engineering & IT, Health, Law and Science. UTS says this is meant to ensure prospective students aren't misled by courses that might not go ahead. But there’s a bigger picture here.
This is the latest announcement in UTS’ Operational Sustainability project: a plan to cut $100M from the annual budget which will see 400 jobs lost. Evidently, courses with lower enrolment numbers, and possibly faculties deemed less productive, are being axed to make room for a more profitable university model.
Meanwhile, staff have been offered no meaningful consultation. In response to the mental distress staff are experiencing as they face a lack of job security, management have sent out tone-deaf “wellbeing tips”, like “wash your delicates,” “bake a desert” , or “remember to brush your teeth”. These suggestions have only deepened frustration and stress among staff, many of whom feel their concerns are being trivialised.
Why is this important?
Even though UTS insists current students aren’t affected, this move sends a chilling message about undervaluing education and staff wellbeing. Courses might return, but only through redesign, phase-out, or after consultation. Moreover, undergraduate students have already reported being unable to enrol in their relevant honours courses that they would otherwise have begun next year.
Staff morale is dropping. Some are experiencing psychological distress, and SafeWork is investigating UTS over reported "psychological hazards." This comes as no surprise when staff in heavily affected schools such as health or design face the likely destruction of their entire departments. When staff suffer, the quality of education suffers too.
When courses vanish or staff are slashed, the quality, diversity, and strength of our education take a hit. We risk losing more than just jobs and programs where we risk losing what makes UTS vibrant and future-focused.
We're calling on students to support:
Staff morale is dropping. Some are experiencing psychological distress, and SafeWork is investigating UTS over reported "psychological hazards." This comes as no surprise when staff in heavily affected schools such as health or design face the likely destruction of their entire departments. When staff suffer, the quality of education suffers too.
When courses vanish or staff are slashed, the quality, diversity, and strength of our education take a hit. We risk losing more than just jobs and programs where we risk losing what makes UTS vibrant and future-focused.
We're calling on students to support:
- Re-open course enrolments. We call on UTS to reverse this decision to suspend enrolments in over 100 courses.
- Demand transparency from UTS leadership: Students and staff deserve meaningful consultation and transparency on how restructure decisions are being made.
- Defend equitable education and critical disciplines, like teaching and public health. These are more than disciplines, they’re essential to our society.
- Stand with staff in solidarity. Our education depends on the people delivering it. They deserve dignity, trust, and partnership. Not uncertainty and disregard.
What you can do right now:
- Sign this petition.
- Share it with classmates, on social media, and in your networks.
- Follow @stopthecutsuts, @uts_students_association and @utseducationactiongroup
Let’s make our voices heard. Let’s protect our courses, our lecturers, and the future of UTS.