More than 500 courses cut from Massey University this year

The effect of deep cuts throughout New Zealand’s Massey University outlines a stark statistic, revealing the institution has cut more than 500 courses this year, writes Jimmy Ellingham for RNZ. At the same time, the university would not say what its 2024 enrolment numbers were, as the sector faced a funding squeeze with scant likelihood of a budget boost later in May.

Last year was a tough one for Massey. It declared a deficit of NZ$45.5 million (US$27 million) and slashed courses and jobs, including major reductions to science. The extent of that was made clear in a Massey academic board paper, which revealed 624 courses were “retired” this year. Although some new courses have been introduced, the loss of courses was more than 500. Last year, 116 courses were “retired”.

Palmerston North-based politics professor Richard Shaw had been vocal in warning that continued cuts would lead to what he called the academic equivalent of an ice age.
Full report on The New Zealand Herald site