Words by Louise Jackson
It’s official. The controversial merger of the University of Adelaide and the University of South Australia is going ahead. The combined ‘Adelaide University’ has a target launch date of 1 January 2026.
In a late-night email to students, Chancellor of the University of Adelaide, the Hon. Catherine Branson AC KC, officially announced the long-awaited University Council decision.
‘Merging will enable us to achieve more for our staff, students and community than is feasible today’.
The State Government now has the support of both University Councils to pursue an amalgamated institution. The merger would be supported by over $400 million in financial backing from the Malinauskas Government.
However, legislation to establish Adelaide University still needs to pass through Parliament, and Labor may face pushback in the Upper House. Key crossbenchers oppose a merger, and the Opposition have raised concerns over the promised government funding. Without support in the Upper House, the merger may meet the same fate as its predecessors.
The Chancellor stated that ‘for the moment, there is no change to [students’] current study arrangements’.
‘We will continue our focus on serving our student body to the very best of our ability irrespective of the intent to merge’.
Students have raised concerns over the merger’s poorly timed official consultation period, threats to on-campus culture, and the lack of clarity regarding its execution (apparently student organisations are just going to hash things out themselves?). Whether this next stage will give them more reassurance, and more chance for consultation, remains to be seen.
On Dit 