The Government is being urged to save hundreds of jobs at Canterbury University which the union says are at risk as students flee the earthquake-stricken area.
The University of Canterbury has had a drop of 13% in student numbers compared with last year. It is considering its financial plan for 2012 and the likely student numbers and implications for jobs and courses.
The Tertiary Education Union fears up to 20% of staff could be laid off and says it has seen internal documents which propose getting rid of 350 staff over the next three years.
The union's national president, Sandra Grey, says the Government took action to ensure that all Canterbury tertiary institutions could stay afloat this year, and believes this should be extended.
The union says there are 1700 employees at the university.
Vice-Chancellor Rod Carr says the university at present predicts a drop of about 13% in student numbers.
Dr Carr says the Government has confirmed that the block grant for teaching will remain the same, but there will be a drop in tuition fees.
He says the university is looking at a review of courses and programmes and there is the potential for job loses. However, no decisions have been made.
Tertiary Education Minister Steven Joyce says like all other organisations in Christchurch, the university will have to consider what the earthquakes mean for its future.
Mr Joyce says the challenge for the university council is what shape the university will take in coming years. He says it will have to consider if the university should revert to its pre-quake size and if the balance of students and courses remains the same.
