‘Direct blows to our learning’: Students concerned over future of teaching, quality of classes at La Trobe Uni

La Trobe University’s latest cost-cutting measures have sparked outrage among students, who say they are paying record fees for “recycled lectures” and unstable classes.

Students fear voluntary staff redundancies will worsen the university workforce, which is already allegedly stretched thin.

La Trobe University has offered staff voluntary redundancies, leaving students worried the ongoing cost-cutting will continue to come at their expense.

Vice-chancellor Professor Theo Farrell sent an email to academic staff on Monday, informing them of the opportunity to take voluntary redundancies.

The email also highlighted other “control cost” measures would be introduced, including limiting travel expenditure, reducing consultancy spend and hiring controls – all which form “part of a broader strategy focused on not only managing expenditure, but also driving sustainable revenue growth”.

“By strengthening both sides of our financial position, we will be better placed to build resilience and respond to external forces such as the changing higher education landscape and broader global trends,” Professor Farrell said.

Some La Trobe University students said cost-saving measures taken by the institution will come at their expense.

While the program is entirely voluntary, students are worried about the impact it will have on their education.

Students say high staff turnover has already resulted in a reduction in in-person lectures, an increase in “outdated, prerecorded” online lectures, and some having multiple tutors for one class in a semester because staff are “quitting” halfway through.

These student experiences are occurring across multiple faculties, with La Trobe Student Union General Secretary Amelia Sevior saying students are “paying more than ever and getting less than ever with overcrowded classes, recycled lectures, and a revolving door of tutors”.

“These cuts aren’t financial tweaks, they are direct blows to our learning. They’re made behind closed doors, with no consultation and no respect for student voices,” she said.

“La Trobe’s management has shown it doesn’t value students, and unless they stop slashing staff, they will destroy the value of our degrees.”

Another student, who is studying arts and science and didn’t wish to be identified, said students have been “left in the dark while the quality of our education declines”.

“As a science student, I rely on labs and consistent teaching, but right now classes feel unstable,” she said.

“We often turn up not knowing who will be teaching us or whether a lecture will even run.”

Bachelor of Arts and Politics student Joshua Thompson-Bennetts said it felt as if the university was attempting to push online learning on to students, while Bachelor of Law student Kawdar Elsafatli said staff “cuts like this make an already difficult path even harder”.

Students say high staff turnover has resulted in a reduction in in-person lectures.

La Trobe University’s annual report – released in May – said the institution had recorded a net deficit of $54.2m last year, crediting the loss in income to the impact of visa settings for international students.

Professor Farrell appeared to take a pay cut of $100k too, with his remuneration package ranging between $860k and $869k, down from $960k and $970k in 2023.

The university also handed out more than $5.45m in termination benefits last year, up from $693k in 2023.

National Tertiary Education Union national president Dr Alison Barnes said workforce cost cutting measures was part of a wider pattern seen Australia-wide where “vice chancellors (are) going after jobs with devastating impacts on student experience”.

“Unaccountable and overpaid executives are pursuing unjustified cuts with impunity – it’s a terrible symptom of the deep governance crisis universities are mired in,” she said.

A La Trobe University spokeswoman said the institution was currently implementing some cost-saving measures to “ensure a strong and sustainable future”.

This included a limited voluntary redundancy program for academic staff.

“As we review expressions of interest in the limited academic voluntary redundancy program, decisions will be guided by our strategic priorities which include ensuring a positive and engaging student experience, as well as managing workload and supporting the wellbeing of our staff,” she said.

Originally published as ‘Direct blows to our learning’: Students concerned over future of teaching, quality of classes at La Trobe Uni