CDU Vice-Chancellor takes 20 per cent pay cut as university braces for $22m deficit amid coronavirus crisis

CHARLES Darwin University’s Vice-Chancellor is taking a 20 per cent pay cut to support the institution during the coronavirus pandemic.

Charles Darwin University’s Vice-Chancellor Simon Maddocks is taking a 20 per cent pay cut to support the institution during the coronavirus pandemic. Picture: Supplied

CHARLES Darwin University’s Vice-Chancellor is taking a 20 per cent pay cut to support the institution during the coronavirus pandemic.

In an email to staff obtained by the NT News, Vice-Chancellor Simon Maddocks announced he would take the pay cut for the remainder of the year after revealing the university could plunge into a more than $22 million deficit.

In CDU’s financial statements in its 2018 Annual Report, the latest available, Prof Maddocks is on a salary of between $615,000 and $629,000.

Based on this the NT News estimates he will take a $123,000 minimum pay cut.

“If we are going to have to implement such measures, it is only fair that it should start with senior leadership,” he said in the email.

“I have taken a salary cut of 20 per cent for the rest of this year and also will give 5 per cent of my salary for the next three months to the Student Emergency Appeal to help CDU students (domestic and international) currently in financial need.

“I am very pleased that members of the Executive Leadership Group also have agreed to an immediate cut in their salaries of between 10 per cent and 15 per cent for at least the next three months.”

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Prof Maddocks also estimated CDU’s revenue would fall between $20 million and $30 million in 2020.

“This includes revenue decline from international students, very little VET fee-for-service income, less student accommodation demand, less research and reduced investment income,” he said.

He added the university would consider negotiations with the National Tertiary Education Union on a two-month pay freeze, fractional working arrangements, a halt to increments and bonuses and directions to use excess leave balances.

“I emphasise at this point, nothing has been negotiated,” he wrote.

“A formal bargaining period will need to be opened with a notice of representational rights, culminating in a staff vote on the proposals.”

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CDU staff are also being asked to consider a temporary reduction in hours.

“Today I ask you to consider your personal circumstances regarding a voluntary reduction in your working hours on a temporary basis (e.g. up to six months) subject to team operational requirements,” Prof Maddocks said.

“The actions we take around staffing will assist us to chart our course to post-COVID-19 recovery.”