Universities Show Surpluses of  >$1.9 billion Says Evans -- University of Sydney to Slash 300-340 Full-Time Staff. (November 22, 2011)

The University of Sydney's vice-chancellor, Dr Michael Spence yesterday released a video to university staff in which he noted that fee income had not risen as expected, and therefore stringent cost-cutting measures had to be implemented.

According to The Australian's Stephen Matchett the cost-cutting will include "a $28 million cut to non-salary spending and a staff reduction, amounting to 300-340 full-time heads with an estimated 150 being academics".

As to the academics that are destined for the chop Dr Spence designated those “who do not contribute significantly either to our research or teaching”, and specifically academics who did not publish more than three books, book chapters, refereed papers or journal articles listed on the Excellence in Research for Australia index between January 2009 and November 2011.

Mr Matchett reports that it will be up to faculty committees familiar with the work and circumstances of staff to recommend who should go. In something of a placatory note the university told The Australian “involuntary redundancies will be utilised only as a last resort.”

A spokesman for Dr Spence said that the vice-chancellor had nothing further to add to his Monday video statement to staff.

It's to be hoped that the "house cleaning" will reduce the university's petrified forest rather than being a means to eliminate staff whom their department heads perceive as difficult.