Words by Sebastian Andrew
‘Adelaide University’ is now a lot more official, with the recent passage of the Adelaide University Bill 2023, an Act which legally establishes the merged institution.
The Adelaide University Bill 2023 passed with an overwhelming majority in the House of Assembly on Wednesday 15 November, with the support of both Labor and the Liberals.
Passage of the Bill had been virtually guaranteed since mid-October when Labor secured the Legislative Council votes of SA-Best MLC Connie Bonaros and One Nation MLC Sarah Game. This allowed its passage through the Upper House without the support of the Liberal Party, after concerns they would block the Bill.
The Bill passed the Legislative Council earlier in November with near unanimous support – both Greens MLCs and SA-Best MLC Frank Pangallo opposed its passage. Numerous amendments were moved by Greens MLC Robert Simms, primarily focused on staff protections and transparency regarding actions of the University Council. These amendments were unsuccessful.
Premier Peter Malinauskas announced that Adelaide University is expected to contribute $500 million to the state’s economy by 2034 and educate over 70,000 students. The Joint Committee received advice that the merger would enable students to develop the necessary skills to deliver projects such as AUKUS.
Deputy Premier Susan Close called the merger a ‘once-in-a-generation opportunity’ for higher education, promising the new institution would provide ‘greater access to higher education, no matter what part of our State they call home’.
Opinion amongst academic staff has ranged from mixed to outright opposed. A July poll conducted by the National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU) with staff from South Australia’s three universities found that only 25% supported the merger Majority of surveyed staff pointed to a lack of clarity, and low confidence in its ability to deliver better educational and research outcomes.
In July, On Dit spoke with Professor Geoff Hanmer about his concerns surrounding the merger.
No Adelaide University Cuts has slammed the passage. In a statement provided to On Dit, the group characterised the merger as ‘little more than an opportunity to further refashion universities into corporatised degree factories’ while arguing proponents were ‘clamouring’ for staff cuts, faculty mergers, and increasing research investment for military industries.
Although the merger has now become all but official, they vow to continue campaigning against the merger.
Key Takeaways from the Act
Students
The fate of student bodies such as YouX and the SRC have been a glaring unknown in merger discussions. It was speculated it would be left up to these organizations to figure themselves out in the aftermath. A footnote in Division 11 (which discusses the student unions) recognises that it is the intention of the AUU (the legal name of YouX) to merge with the University of South Australia Student Association (USASA).
The how of this union merger remains a mystery.
This amendment was moved by SA-Best MLC Connie Bonaros, after discussions with Georgia Thomas, President of the University of Adelaide SRC, and Isaac Solomon, President of USASA.
In moving, Bonaros noted their concerns that a new student association could be formed that excludes the two current bodies. Both her, and Attorney-General Kyam Maher believed this amendment provided assurance that the integrity of the current unions would be preserved.
Money
Part 5 – Funds allocates $200 million to the Adelaide University Research Fund, and $120 million to the Adelaide University Student Support Fund.
Per an amendment introduced by Bonaros, at least $20 million of the Support Fund must be allocated for the purposes of improving access for people ‘people residing in regional and outer metropolitan areas who have experienced disadvantages in education, or in access to education, or who are under-represented in education’. The potential for increased funding received by a new university to be directed towards aiding low-SES students has been touted by some as an argument in favour of the merger.
An additional $40 million in support has been promised to Flinders University. This came after Flinders Vice-Chancellor Colin Stirling argued prospective Flinders low-SES students would be unfairly disadvantaged by the allocation of funds to only one university.
Administration and governance
Adelaide University will initially have two co-Vice Chancellors, with one each being appointed by UofA and UniSA (subject to the other institution’s approval). A permanent Vice Chancellor will be appointed by the Transition Council, comprised of the Chancellor, and up to 7 members of each University. The Council oversees the transition of education/research conducted by UofA and UniSA into the new University.
The new University Council will be comprised of: the Chancellor, the Vice-Chancellor, the Chair of the Academic Board, 1 academic staff member, 1 professional staff member, 1 postgraduate student, 1 undergraduate student, 1 person appointed member who is an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person, and up to 8 persons appointed by the Council.
For those unfamiliar, the University Council is a body responsible for appointing the Vice-Chancellor and President, and overseeing the commercial and academic activities of the university.
A full copy of the Bill as passed by both Houses can be found here.
Impacts on current students
Despite the legislation passing on Wednesday, the decision was not made public until Thursday. In a joint email to their respective students, the Vice Chancellors commended state parliamentarians for the Bill’s passage. They also outlined the steps that still need to be taken, including: appointing the Transition Council, approval of the Strategic Plan, and receiving regulatory approvals from various bodies.
The email stresses that ‘there is no immediate impact to your studies’ and assures students continuing through and beyond 2026 that they will be ‘highly supported’ through the transition.
More information is found on the new Adelaide University website.
These are the key takeaways for students:
- There will be no immediate impacts on current students, domestic or international (they’re really making a point of this!)
- Enrolments in both the University of Adelaide and the University of South Australia will continue until 2025. It is anticipated that 2026 enrolments will be through the new University.
- Students commencing in 2025 and beyond will receive their award from Adelaide University. Students commencing in or before 2024 will also receive their award from Adelaide University, but may be able to have the name and logo of one of the outgoing universities on their award. Likewise, those completing their studies before 2026 will be eligible to receive their award from Adelaide University.
- It is ‘intended’ that all program areas offered by both universities will continue to be delivered, ‘subject to student interest and viability’
On Dit 