NTEU is both appalled and concerned at the announcement made by the University of Divinity, to disestablish their School of Indigenous Studies, effectively immediately.
The announcement to disestablish the School of Indigenous Studies was made on Thursday 18 July 2024, with the decision made to disestablish the School of Indigenous Studies being effective as of Tuesday 16 July 2024, following a University Council meeting discussing 2024 budget adjustment advice.
The University of Divinity states clearly in their Student Support Policy that:
4.3 The School of Indigenous Studies is responsible for:
a) Support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, and students from world Indigenous cultures
b) Ensuring all parts of the University attend to providing a culturally safe environment for Indigenous students.
With the disestablishment of the School of Indigenous Studies, the 10 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students reported as enrolled at the University of Divinity in 2022, along with future Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students wishing to study at the University of Divinity is in doubt.
NTEU is greatly concerned that current and future Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students will now be disadvantaged, with no specific culturally safe or appropriate support services like that seen for other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students studying at public and private universities across Australia.
NTEU is also concerned for the future of Indigenous theologies and the delivery of the University of Divinity strategic goal for this priority.
Dr. Sharlene Leroy-Dyer, Chair of the NTEU Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Policy Committee expressed deep disappointment regarding the announcement by the University of Divinity today:
“The announcement made today is profoundly disappointing for the School of Indigenous Studies, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff, students and the University of Divinity as a whole.”
And
“The recent Australian Universities Accord final report stipulated that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students are one of the most under-represented groups across the Australian higher education sector, and this announcement by the University of Divinity will undermine the years of work undertaken by the Reverend Gary Deverall and others, to build the profile of the University of Divinity amongst the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.”
The work of the School of Indigenous Studies at the University of Divinity is dependent upon charitable giving via the University’s tax-deductible Indigenous Theology Fund, as advertised on the School of Indigenous Studies webpage.
Dr. Leroy-Dyer further stated:
“The School of Indigenous Studies at the University of Divinity should not, nor should it ever have been reliant solely upon charitable giving and indicates a lack of commitment by the University of Divinity toward their Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and staff by not properly funding the work of the School and ensuring appropriate student support.”
“Overall, this is a backward step for the University of Divinity and highlights the need to ensure greater support for both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff and students at smaller and private higher education providers.”
