Dear supporters of the humanities at ACU,
We are overwhelmed with gratitude by the response to our petition, with nearly 2k signatures less than 48 hours after going live. Please continue to spread the word. We promise we will not inundate your inboxes with updates but wanted to share a little more information.
First, our cause has already been covered in several news articles. In case you’ve not seen them, here is a list:
https://www.timeshighereducation.com/news/catholic-university-cuts-ability-engage-own-heritage
https://www.abc.net.au/religion/miles-pattenden-acu-lament-catholic-university/102856898
More stories are in the works and we will pass them along as they are published.
Second, if you are wondering about the financial aspects of this decision, please be sure to read the comments from Steve Finlay, director of Dianoia Institute of Philosophy, in 'Update 2’ on this webpage: https://dailynous.com/2023/09/16/acu-proposes-closing-dianoia-institute/
Finally, you might be wondering why the petition has been created from an anonymous account. The answer is simply that many of us at ACU are fearful of retribution for speaking out against the proposed changes. If the draft plan goes ahead, many of those whose jobs are at risk will be forced to reapply for the smaller number of remaining jobs in their discipline area, and there is legitimate concern that involvement in the campaign to resist these efforts might be used against a staff member in the selection process. Even those who are not currently included in the proposed cuts fear that speaking out might cause the administration to include them in the final change plan. Evidence that this fear is not fanciful is found in the draft change plan itself. One of the positions that rather oddly was included in the list of proposed cuts was a staff member who until recently was dean of one of ACU’s faculties. After years of faithful service in the role, his deanship was not renewed earlier this year, seemingly because his views did not align with those of the administration. (Incidentally, he was the last of ACU’s Executive Deans remaining from the period prior to Professor Skrbis’ tenure as VC.) He now finds himself included among the proposed positions to be eliminated. This chilling act of retribution creates a strong sense of vulnerability among ACU staff, both those who are currently at risk and those who are not, but we are buoyed by the outpouring of support we have received thus far. If you would like to get in touch with us, you may do so by emailing acustaffmember551@gmail.com.