Bethel Hall

Deficit sees redundancies

Wednesday, July 25, 2018
Avondale reduces staffing levels to help balance budget

Avondale is cutting expenses as lower enrolment this year following a near record graduation class size last year leaves a more than $2 million budget deficit.

This has meant a reduction in staffing levels with some positions remaining vacant after retirements and eight becoming redundant. “The latter has been particularly painful,” writes President Professor Ray Roennfeldt in an email to staff members at the college of higher education. “While it is positions, not people, that are made redundant, obviously the impact is on people. These are our colleagues, our friends, people who have contributed much to making Avondale what it is over a long period of time. So, I wish with all my heart that this action was not necessary, but at the same time it is!”

The retirements and redundancies in the Disciplines of Arts, Education, Science and Theology and in Library and Student Life Services will bring next year’s budget $1.8 million closer to balance. “We’re doing our best to ensure the retirements and redundancies have a minimal impact on the service we provide to students and on the quality of our learning and teaching,” says Roennfeldt.

The Avondale College Council recognises “further cuts in expenditure are not viable,” writes Roennfeldt. “We will, though, need to look to increase student numbers, extend our course offerings through third-party arrangements and initiate new courses which will contribute to our sustainability.”

Avondale needs between 100 and 150 additional equivalent full-time student loads to balance the budget. It is examining the relationship between Marketing Services, Avondale Admissions and the Academic Office to help “convert more prospects and applicants into actual enrolments.” It is also surveying students who enrolled, students who enrolled but withdrew before census and prospective students who did not enrol to learn more about their attitudes to Avondale. The structure and content of courses is also under review as faculty deans in particular seek to make courses more viable.

Roennfeldt ends his email by thanking those who are supporting Avondale through prayer. “That means a lot!”

Share

Brenton Stacey
Author

Brenton Stacey

Twitter LinkedIn Profile

Brenton is Avondale University’s Public Relations and Philanthropy Officer. He brings to the role experience as a communicator in publishing, media relations, public relations, radio and television, mostly within the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the South Pacific and its entities.

Return to website