Walter Sisulu University (WSU) has axed the number of department heads (HoDs) from 70 to 53, along with programme coordinators (PCOs).
The cuts were made by WSU’s interim vice-chancellor Professor Khaya Mfenyana in a move understood to be aimed at saving the cost of allowances paid to HoDs.
The Daily Dispatch understands that the move has saved money previously paid in allowances.
HoDs who have since been appointed are expected to also perform the duties of PCOs and were promoted from within the university’s academic ranks.
The axed HoDs were not paid their allowances in January despite having worked that month.
WSU spokeswoman Angela Church confirmed the changes: “This move is in line with the divisional management system and resulting new academic enterprise. This enterprise was fully consulted with all stakeholders.”
She said the non-payment of HoDs was “currently being attended to by the university”.
The leaner institution has also seen an increase in faculties from four to 11.
This follows a tip-off from disgruntled academics, who claimed they were not consulted when the process was undertaken.
An e-mail from the dean of the faculty of science, engineering and technology, Dr Msimelelo Siswana, to his HoDs in February revealed that HoDs had not been paid in January.
Attempts to get a comment from Siswana yesterday were unsuccessful.
Soon after Siswana’s e-mails, a memo was issued by Mfenyana on February 7 announcing that the institution was in the process of rolling out a new academic “architecture”.
Mfenyana said the move had been approved by the senate and council last year.
He said the term of office of former HoDs and PCOs had effectively ended on January 13.
The interim HoDs were appointed in February and would be responsible for newly established and reconfigured departments.
WSU is among universities targeted by the Department of Higher Education and Training to have their budgets reviewed and overheads cut. — msindisif@dispatch.co.za
WSU cuts down on department heads
The cuts were made by WSU’s interim vice-chancellor Professor Khaya Mfenyana in a move understood to be aimed at saving the cost of allowances paid to HoDs.
The Daily Dispatch understands that the move has saved money previously paid in allowances.
HoDs who have since been appointed are expected to also perform the duties of PCOs and were promoted from within the university’s academic ranks.
The axed HoDs were not paid their allowances in January despite having worked that month.
WSU spokeswoman Angela Church confirmed the changes: “This move is in line with the divisional management system and resulting new academic enterprise. This enterprise was fully consulted with all stakeholders.”
She said the non-payment of HoDs was “currently being attended to by the university”.
The leaner institution has also seen an increase in faculties from four to 11.
This follows a tip-off from disgruntled academics, who claimed they were not consulted when the process was undertaken.
An e-mail from the dean of the faculty of science, engineering and technology, Dr Msimelelo Siswana, to his HoDs in February revealed that HoDs had not been paid in January.
Attempts to get a comment from Siswana yesterday were unsuccessful.
Soon after Siswana’s e-mails, a memo was issued by Mfenyana on February 7 announcing that the institution was in the process of rolling out a new academic “architecture”.
Mfenyana said the move had been approved by the senate and council last year.
He said the term of office of former HoDs and PCOs had effectively ended on January 13.
The interim HoDs were appointed in February and would be responsible for newly established and reconfigured departments.
WSU is among universities targeted by the Department of Higher Education and Training to have their budgets reviewed and overheads cut. — msindisif@dispatch.co.za
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