Restructuring in Higher Education: Macquarie University’s Strategic Adjustments

University Restructuring Sparks Debate on Education and Financial Sustainability

Macquarie University’s plans for a major restructuring have drawn criticism from academics, who argue that the proposed changes will significantly undermine the humanities. The university has announced reductions in faculty sizes and course offerings, raising concerns among staff and students regarding academic diversity and educational opportunities. Consequently, the decision has intensified the debate surrounding financial sustainability and the need to maintain a broad academic curriculum.

According to documents obtained by The Guardian, the restructuring includes the elimination of 42 full-time equivalent academic positions in the Faculty of Arts and 33 in the Faculty of Science and Engineering, with projected savings of approximately $15 million. These changes, scheduled to take effect in 2026 and 2027, involve course reductions and departmental mergers, which the university has largely attributed to declining enrolment numbers.

Additionally, a proposal released to staff on 3 June indicated that potential caps on international student admissions and uncertainty in domestic enrolment have made it increasingly difficult for institutions to rely on student growth for financial stability. Consequently, the university has sought to adjust staffing levels in accordance with shifts in student demand. A spokesperson for Macquarie University stated that the restructuring aims to ensure that its education remains “transformative” and aligned with evolving student and employer needs. While traditional humanities subjects such as history, philosophy, and English literature will be retained, new career-focused majors will be introduced to reflect changes in student interests and job market requirements. However, staff have been given less than a month to provide feedback, with a final decision expected in early July.

Dr Alison Barnes, president of the National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU) and an academic at Macquarie University, highlighted growing anxiety among staff due to restructuring efforts across the sector. She reported receiving frequent messages from academics concerned about widespread institutional changes. According to the NTEU, more than a dozen universities, including ANU, UTS, Western Sydney University, and the University of Wollongong, are undergoing similar restructures, with over 1,000 jobs reportedly at risk.

This follows the loss of approximately 17,000 university jobs during the COVID-19 pandemic, which accounted for around 13% of the workforce. Barnes warned that further cuts would negatively impact staff wellbeing, with many employees facing prolonged uncertainty. Furthermore, she argued that students deserve the opportunity to pursue subjects they are genuinely passionate about. At Macquarie University, several departments, including ancient history and archaeology, creative arts, politics and international relations, and sociology—are expected to lose at least half of their full-time academic staff. Additionally, the media and communications department, which runs the 2SER radio station in collaboration with the University of Technology Sydney, is set to reduce staff by around 25%.

The proposal also includes discontinuing majors in politics, gender studies, and performing arts, while entire degrees in music, ancient history, and archaeology will be phased out and merged into a new Bachelor of History programme. Meanwhile, the number of media majors will be reduced from six to three. Although the restructuring includes significant cuts, it also proposes the creation of ten new research roles within the science and engineering faculties, along with two additional positions in education. Ultimately, as the university moves forward with its restructuring plan, balancing financial sustainability with academic integrity remains a key challenge.

Editor’s Note:

Macquarie University’s restructuring plan raises serious concerns about the future of humanities education. While financial sustainability is important, cutting staff and reducing course offerings risks limiting academic diversity and student choice. The humanities play a crucial role in developing critical thinking, cultural understanding, and creativity, skills that remain essential in any profession. The broader trend of university cuts across Australia is equally troubling, with job losses impacting staff wellbeing and student opportunities. Education should not be treated as a business where enrollment numbers alone determine value.

Skoobuzz emphasises that universities must balance financial challenges with their responsibility to provide a well-rounded education that prepares students for a complex world. Without careful consideration, these changes may do lasting damage to academic freedom and intellectual growth.