Feedback is being sought from staff and students on the creation of a new faculty combining the current faculties of Arts, Creative Arts and Industries (according to one of two optional arrangements as set out in options below), and Education and Social Work that aims to provide greater opportunities to achieve our aspirations for a vibrant and thriving future, vital to our society and the University.

Feedback is also being sought on two variations or options for the new faculty arrangement:

Option 1: Establishment of a new faculty, combining the faculties of Arts, Education and Social Work, and Creative Arts and Industries.

OR

Option 2: Establishment of a new faculty, combining the faculties of Arts, Education and Social Work, and the Elam School of Fine Arts, School of Music, and Dance Programme. Alignment of the School of Architecture and Planning, and the Design Programme with the Faculty of Engineering.

Why is the change being proposed?

The decision to propose this change follows the University’s prudent financial management during the early months of the Covid-19 pandemic. This ensured a stable financial position for the University and has enabled University leaders to consider how best to shape the institution for the future.

The proposed change is driven by the University’s strategic goals and offers the opportunity to strengthen resilience in our areas of excellence, enable increased collaboration across and within faculties, and enhance the scale and concentration needed for future success. It would enable greater experiential learning opportunities and provide access to a wider variety of courses and subjects for our students, across a wide range of disciplines.

It is designed to enhance inter- and trans-disciplinary research and provide broader experiences and career development opportunities for professional and technical staff.

What are the benefits?

• Increased strategic capacity: It offers scope for greater strategic capacity, which would enable us to stay ahead of, and create appropriate responses for, a constantly evolving tertiary environment.
  
• Enhanced collaboration: Related areas in the current faculties could more easily work together to enhance disciplines and allow for exciting new collaborations.
  
• Efficiencies: Bringing these disciplines together in a new faculty would allow for more cohesive alignment, enabling the pooling of resources and enhancing the scale needed for future success.
  
• Enhanced resources: A larger faculty could potentially provide more resources for workshops and labs, including equipment upgrades, training opportunities, and expanded facilities.
  
• Teaching and learning practices enhancements: The proposed changes would enable greater experiential learning opportunities. With greater access to innovative pedagogies such as studio teaching, technical workshops, and digital technologies in a larger faculty, the proposal would enhance the quality, relevance, and accessibility of education across disciplines. The proposed changes would also reduce administrative complexity, making it easier to teach across different disciplines. This means more flexibility with resources, leading to a better learning experience for students.
  
• Improved access: Students would have access to a wider variety of courses and subjects, providing integrated access to study facilities and subject specialists.
  
• Enhanced research potential: Increased inter- and trans-disciplinary research potential across a range of disciplines.
  
• Professional and technical staff development: Opportunities for broader experiences and career development across a larger and more diverse group of disciplines and activities.
  

Staff and students: have your say

We value input and invite staff and students to provide feedback on this proposal.

• Review the proposal document
  
• Complete the online feedback form by 5pm Tuesday 23 April
• Explore further details within the FAQs (in related links)
  

If you have any questions, you are encouraged to speak with your manager or HR manager (staff intranet). You can also send an email to strategicinitiative@auckland.ac.nz.