What’s a lifetime of research worth? At the University of Sydney, very little.

Today there was a forum addressed by vice chancellor Michael Spence and provost Stephen Garton. The talk was all about the radical restructure that is allegedly needed to address the university’s “complex systems”: how courses need to be cut and certain areas of research need to be invested in at the expense of others.

“We have let 1,000 flowers bloom here”, we were told. This was a reference to the plethora of disciplines that can be studied or research at the university, something a curious student or decent person might think is a good thing.

Redundancies for “underperforming staff”, both academic and general, was the theme of Garton’s talk. He named it “Unfinished business”.

He said that Melbourne University bosses were much more proactive in getting rid of people and USYD is way too soft.

What does “underperforming” mean? Basically, if you can’t bring in the big bucks for the uni or teach under impossible conditions. It doesn’t matter how valuable your contribution to society might be or how many students you’ve helped over the years; your life is only worthy if it turns a profit for the bosses.

USYD staff and students, brace yourselves. We have a big battle on our hands.