One day I will write about something that isn't utterly, totally depressing. But it is not this day. University management, where logic and learning go to die. www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/news/educati... - ThreadSky

squigglyrick.bsky.social • 9 days ago

One day I will write about something that isn't utterly, totally depressing. But it is not this day. University management, where logic and learning go to die. https://www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/news/education/2025/03/22/everything-thats-wrong-with-university-management

Comments

melissamadsen.bsky.social•9 days ago

Excellent article Rick. Thanks for everything you do.

skylark20.bsky.social•9 days ago

Great article. Thank you. 🙏

ttlyovrit.bsky.social•9 days ago

Does it help to tell you your last Nervous Laughter newsletter was an absolute joy?

pollyjhemming.bsky.social•9 days ago

It must take a toll but I'm grateful you persevere. You're one of the few journos making sure we see the these issues. You're also one of the few conducting full analysis rather than superficial accounts of what was said by who, or shoehorning in counter views for formulaic *balance*. Thank you.

djp2.bsky.social•9 days ago

... I was astounded to hear that a certain university has started rebranding teachers as "curriculum workers". This will come as a surprise to legions of experienced teachers and mountains of pedagogical research that affirm learning as the science of student engagement, not prescribed curricula.

againstcorruption.bsky.social•9 days ago

I’m on a teaching focused contract and I know exactly what you’re talking about Rick. We’ve warned management they’ll likely lose us to stress but they don’t care. Just add another (law) subject I’ve never even studied before to my teaching roster! I don’t want to go back to work on Monday

loupollard.bsky.social•9 days ago

You are awesome. Thank you for your work ❤️

nickipedia.bsky.social•9 days ago

“When you look at the way that universities are run…you have an elite class who are completely disconnected from the realities of the workforce, who haven’t stepped foot in a classroom in 20 years, and who haven’t published a paper in 25 years…who run the place purely in their own interests.”

🔥🔥🔥

againstcorruption.bsky.social•9 days ago

Add to that they manifestly hate us - disparage the NTEU all the time, ‘teaching efficiencies’ so we’re teaching 4 (new) subjects a semester. Little mention of staff wellbeing - definitely not before money. No replacement for teachers if you’re sick. It is without doubt the worst experience I’ve had

nickipedia.bsky.social•9 days ago

My immediate reaction was to ask if you’re at MQ, but then I remembered that this is happening all across Australia 🫠

againstcorruption.bsky.social•9 days ago

No - yet another NSW uni where they really don’t like academics!! 🙃

voidspacerabbit.net•9 days ago

Without reading the article, I had assumed something like this was in there.

nickipedia.bsky.social•9 days ago

Is there a way to purchase a single week’s subscription? I’m a broke uni student and would really like to read this—MQ Uni management are about to implement major changes that will hit students and academic staff hard.

squigglyrick.bsky.social•9 days ago

Here's a gift link, let me know if that works for now: https://www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/share/20400/VKEzail4

But also send me an email and I'll try and sort something out. [email protected]

lonerangifer.bsky.social•9 days ago

Here's a question... How many of Australia's university libraries hold subscriptions to The Saturday Paper?

againstcorruption.bsky.social•9 days ago

Not mine

lonerangifer.bsky.social•9 days ago

Mine neither, as far as I can tell.

wordstoprint.bsky.social•9 days ago

What a good man…..!

nickipedia.bsky.social•9 days ago

Thank you so much!

longislandtonv.bsky.social•9 days ago

Thank you!

lakey10.bsky.social•9 days ago

Can you buy a hard copy?

nickipedia.bsky.social•9 days ago

My millennial brain didn’t even consider that hahaha

lakey10.bsky.social•9 days ago

That i still struggle with digital formats tells in at the opposite end...

mjoneillchw.bsky.social•9 days ago

Surprised logic and learning are still running about at all after all these years!

philiplormer.bsky.social•9 days ago

The neoliberal management culture has taken over everywhere, even though neoliberalism is totally discredited. It’s sad they have been allowed to take over universities, that should know better.

vyv.bsky.social•9 days ago

Now a corporate drone factory, critical thinking dies in institutions where the student voice has been ripped out and silenced - and where we used to protest & boycott freely they now line up at a global franchise instead of the Union Caf.

Every part of our lives has been sold off and commodified.

jenofsandy.bsky.social•9 days ago

Your integrity always shines through Rick 🙏

heatherforward.bsky.social•8 days ago

Thanks for writing this Rick. How did we get to this dreadful place in Australia? It’s almost time to storm the ramparts

jessicafox99.bsky.social•9 days ago

As usual, you've absolutely nailed it again with this one Rick! Fantastic work

tessjparker.bsky.social•9 days ago

Time for a chickens and doggo substack?

dtas.bsky.social•9 days ago

Tas Uni is a good example of all that is wrong

squigglyrick.bsky.social•9 days ago

I remain interested in covering this area. I have heard some things!

dtas.bsky.social•8 days ago

Read this… it’s very interesting

https://www.parliament.tas.gov.au/committees/legislative-council/select-committees/lc20select20-20university20of20tasmania

dtas.bsky.social•9 days ago

There’s much to hear!

rodholden.bsky.social•8 days ago

Agree. Utas blew up a $200m project through incompetence.

peterthesocialist.bsky.social•9 days ago

And the influence of foreign powers to set guidelines on how the money is spent is beyond idiotic

squigglyrick.bsky.social•9 days ago

The latest, truly awful front in a saga of despair.

msdines.bsky.social•9 days ago

Thank you Rick. University executives deserve to be dragged. I will never work for a University again.

squiddery.bsky.social•9 days ago

I work there...support staff...it's not a happy place atm

raynerme.bsky.social•9 days ago

Fabulous read. I bought a hard copy. I’m sick of squinting on a screen

debbienorthway.bsky.social•9 days ago

We need you doing what you do - one of the last real journalists

urusaiyatsu.bsky.social•9 days ago

How has everything turned to sh*t?

contingere.bsky.social•9 days ago

So many of us rely on you Rick, thanks.

beneltham.bsky.social•9 days ago

Thanks for this one Rick

lucianphillips.bsky.social•9 days ago

I have a very close family member working there and it is bad. Places of education aren't corporations and shouldn't be run like them. UOW's reputation is going down the toilet and Gough is rolling in his grave.

chookywookiee.bsky.social•9 days ago

You need 6 months as the Sat Paper wine and cheese correspondent.

Comments

Posting Rules

Reply