Union members at Aoraki Polytechnic believe a merger or sharing services with Otago Polytechnic are the best options to reverse falling student numbers and a "grim" financial situation at the institution.
The idea of a potential merger comes as Aoraki Polytechnic, which has campuses in Timaru, Ashburton, Oamaru, Christchurch and Dunedin, is forecasting a loss of $1.3 million and 697 fewer equivalent full-time students (EFTS) than budgeted for this year. As of June 30 there were 1336 students enrolled at the Aoraki Polytechnic.
Last year, the polytechnic made the decision to cut 11 of its course programmes, resulting in 11 job losses, including four from its Dunedin campus and one in Oamaru.
Tertiary Education Union (TEU) southern region organiser Kris Smith said union members had discussed the polytechnic's performance at a recent meeting and believed it would be difficult for the polytechnic to provide a "broad range of tertiary education", without merging or sharing the provision of services with another institution.
"They could see that things were grim and so it was important to be realistic and start looking at what options there are for the long-term viability of a presence in the [South Canterbury] region.
"The option that so far they have decided looks most sensible ... is to look at, at the very least, a closer relationship with Otago Polytechnic," Ms Smith said.
Union members believed closer ties with Otago Polytechnic made more sense than having a closer relationship with Christchurch's CPIT, which Ms Smith believed management had been discussing as a potential partner, as CPIT was still struggling in the wake of last year's February earthquake.
The idea of a merger with Otago comes amid concern from union members about the polytechnic's direction.
"We are very concerned. They cut courses that delivered 300 EFTS at the end of last year, so it cost an awful lot and delivered nothing." Further cutbacks and staff losses were a "possibility", she said.
Otago Polytechnic marketing services group manager Mike Waddell said it was inappropriate for the polytechnic to comment on a potential merger or sharing of services as there had been no discussion between the two polytechnics about the issue.
Asked if the polytechnic was discussing merging with CPIT or was open to merging with Otago, Aoraki chief executive Kay Nelson replied by email saying: "We are always looking at ways in which to work closer with other ITPs (a number of them) as we have done in the past."
She said the polytechnic was "disappointed" with student numbers this year, but 24 (EFTS) more students attended its Dunedin campus this year.
