New Faculty Transition Leadership Team Update

The new faculty name has been approved by the Vice-Chancellor following Senate earlier this week and the name of our new faculty is Faculty of Arts and Education (A&ED). 

This name is the outcome of an inclusive process that engaged both staff and students and reflects the preference of the faculty community.  As mentioned in our previous newsletter, in partnership with the Pro Vice-Chancellor Māori Office a Te Reo Māori name has been gifted: Te Pūtahi Mātauranga, which means “the confluence of knowledges/disciplines and of knowing.”  We would like to thank all who participated in this process for their thoughtful contributions.

As we approach the commencement of Te Pūtahi Mātauranga | Faculty of Arts and Education, we know that colleagues have questions about the changes and what to expect in the upcoming year. This update aims to address some key points and provide clarity on what will remain consistent, as well as areas where adjustments will be made. We are committed to ensuring a smooth transition and engaging on our collective progress. 

Stability as we begin the year

We understand the importance of continuity, especially in times of change. As we start the new year, much of the existing structure will stay the same, particularly in our school structures. This stability will help us manage the transition effectively while maintaining the familiar organisational foundations you’re accustomed to.

Professional staff redeployment

We are now in the second week of interviewing for the roles under the new professional staff structure.  Some Manager positions reporting to the DFO have been filled, and these newly appointed managers are now participating in interviews for their respective teams.  By the end of this week, we expect to have a clearer picture of any gaps in the new structure.

Academic Leadership positions

We received a number of applications for the various academic leadership positions. The Dean is currently shortlisting these and has begun interviews for some positions this week including Associate Dean Equity and the Associate Dean Academic. We will keep you informed of the new leadership team once the core academic roles have been agreed with their line managers.

Committee meeting structure updates

We are currently working on defining the new committee structure, timetable and workflows based on the approved academic framework. This process requires input from key stakeholders, and your support is essential in shaping a structure that meets the faculty's needs.

The process of integrating our faculty committee schedule with that of the broader University committees’ schedule is complex and we are taking time to ensure that we get it right. As we move forward, you may be asked to help define specific details, including processes and timings, to ensure clarity and effectiveness.

Our goal is to create committees and processes that provide robust support for the faculty’s academic mission. Thank you in advance for your valuable contributions to this collaborative effort.

Student-Led Club Engagement Framework

We have facilitated two workshops with student clubs from the Faculty of Arts and Education as they work towards developing a new framework and structure that supports clubs across the faculty.  Students are leading this mahi and are currently gathering data on the various clubs within the faculty, focusing on their reach, approach, benefits and learning opportunities.  This groundwork will guide the development of a supportive governance structure that strengthens connections among clubs and enhances student engagement.

The students are leading this mahi with project support ensuring that identities and communities within each club remain intact while exploring opportunities to access broader support networks.  The next workshop is scheduled for February next year, and in the meantime existing club structures will continue. 

New location for Professor Nuala Gregory

The Faculty of Arts and Education Dean, Professor Nuala Gregory has temporarily relocated to Building 201 (201 641). Co-located with the DFO and DFF, this move will support collaboration amongst the faculty’s leadership team, as it forms over the coming weeks.

Expanded Engineering Faculty Transition Leadership Team Update

Following the Senate meeting, the Vice Chancellor has approved our new name: Faculty of Engineering and Design, effective from 1 January 2025. We are excited to move forward under this name, which reflects the expanded scope and collaborative spirit of our faculty.

In addition, we are working closely with the Office of the Pro Vice-Chancellor Māori to develop a new Te Reo name for our faculty. We will keep you updated as these discussions progress.

We would like to extend our gratitude to everyone who contributed to the consultation process. With over 860 submissions from staff and students, your input was invaluable in shaping this new identity for our faculty as we embark on this exciting new chapter together.

In addition to the new name, the FTLT will be delivering a seminar to share pedagogical practises and will be delivering tours of the key spaces within Engineering and Design so staff can familiarise themselves with the spaces available and breadth of work occurring across the faculty.

FTLT is also working to compile everything we’ve worked on so far into a single document which outlines potential benefits that we can explore in 2025 and beyond.