As the Canterbury region continues to clean up from the February earthquake, the University of Canterbury has released an internal report on the 4 September 2010 earthquake, which notes the qualities which made staff resistance to its restructuring process are qualities which benefited the institution when the first earthquake struck.

“The same things that make a University environment resistant to change also make it resilient in crisis. University staff have a strong sense of purpose and determination to keep doing the things that they are doing.”

In fact, the university reports its surprise that it retained the goodwill of staff despite its radical restructuring last year that left many redundant.

“The organisation was part-way through a major restructure of its non-academic departments, under the banner of Project STAR (Supporting Teaching and Research). Project STAR had been running for more than a year at the time of the earthquake. Being in the midst of such significant restructuring had the potential to create some difficulties. However, in almost all instances, staff responded with a high degree of goodwill and professionalism and our staff came through when they were most needed.”

TEU national president Dr Sandra Grey says university staff members have worked collectively, both through their union and in other ways, after the two earthquakes. However, it has not been easy because the events mean there can be no “business-as-usual approach”.

“What is now crucial is that staff have confidence in the future of their institution and some guarantee of job security so they can stay in Christchurch, if they choose to, and get on with the role of helping the university recover,” says Dr Grey.

The University of Canterbury report concludes that if the university wants its staff to be there for it in times of crisis, it also needs to be there supporting staff when they are in crisis.

Thanks to Ann (Helen) Devereux at Flickr for the photo http://www.flickr.com/photos/hadevereux/4955918461