14 March 2011

Last week the TEU sought an urgent meeting with the TEC to discuss major issues arising from the Christchurch earthquake that may particularly affect our members in the Canterbury region, and in the longer term could affect our members across the country.  This morning I met with Roy Sharp, TEC chief executive.  The following is a summary of that meeting.

Performance-Based Research Fund Quality Evaluation 2012

In a letter sent to the TEC on 3rd March 2011, the TEU raised the issue of the upcoming Performance-Based Research Fund Quality Evaluation (which is scheduled to take place in 2012) and the possibility that staff in Christchurch TEIs may have difficulty in completing evidence portfolios for the evaluation over the coming months.  The TEU’s suggestion to the TEC was that affected TEIs should be able to withdraw from the Quality Evaluation, given the additional strain on institutional infrastructure and staffing as a result of the February earthquake.

The TEC’s response is that they are conscious that decisions will need to be made about how the 2012 Quality Evaluations will be undertaken.  Discussions about possible options are underway and will continue over the next few weeks.  We made it very clear that it was vital that TEU members be consulted and their views sought on any options.  The TEC agreed that the door would be open for TEU to be involved in these discussions.  We will be discussing this and seeking feedback from members about possible options so that we can feed that into the TEC to include in their planning.

Investment plans and 2011 funding

Christchurch region members have expressed concerns to the TEU about pressure to keep students enrolled ‘at all costs’ so that institutions are not penalised by funding reductions if EFTs fall below agreed investment plan levels for 2011.  The TEC has indicated that the first step in responding to this issue is for the Minister to give the TEC Board the ability to vary these agreed investment plans, and that a decision is pending.  We stressed the need for urgency to have this decision known because of the additional pressure this is putting on members in what are already very trying circumstances.  The Minister has already assured institutions in a media release (02/03/11) that they will not be penalised for exceeding projected EFTs because of enrolment increases from Christchurch students.

The TEU will continue to work with TEC to ensure that the views and needs of staff from affected tertiary institutions are taken into account during decision-making process around both the PBRF and funding over the coming months.

In solidarity,

Sandra Grey
National President
Te Tumu Whakahaere
sandra.grey@teu.ac.nz