A staff and student pressure group fighting looming cuts says the University of Otago needs to stop "fighting amongst ourselves" and present a united front to the Government.
Protect Otago Action Group is calling on the university hierarchy to pause a planned restructuring, and instead campaign for increased government funding.
Spokesman Dr Olivier Jutel urged university leaders to consider other options ahead of the University Council meeting on Monday.
"There is an alternative to the deep and irreparable damage of these proposed staff cuts, and that’s adequate public funding of public education."
The group issued three demands to the university: to pause its current restructuring process, work with the Tertiary Education Union and other parties to secure government funding, and to respect the university’s kā mātāpono (staff values).
Dr Jutel said Dunedin had a proud history of coming together to fight in the city’s corner.
"This is too important for us to waste our energy fighting amongst ourselves.
"We want to work with the university, the TEU and the wider city to come up with an alternative to unprecedented austerity.
"We welcome the support of other organisations in helping us achieve this outcome."
University of Otago acting vice-chancellor Prof Helen Nicholson said the university was exploring its options.
"The university continues to work with tertiary education unions and OUSA to speak with [the] Government about funding."
It was also working with Universities New Zealand.
