News 19 Mar – Eavesdropping, ITP MECA and Mai Chen

March 19th 2010 at 9:12am, By Dave Guerin

Facebook Eavesdropping at Unis Students are posting overheard conversations on Facebook groups that are growing rapidly. Groups already exist on Facebook for Otago (1,300 members), Canterbury (2,000 members) and Auckland (300 members) Universities. Check them out, but don’t expect conversations on the readings…
ITP MECA The TEU has announced that their negotiations with 6 ITPs for a Multi Employer Collective Agreement will now go to facilitation by the Employment Relations Authority. The negotiations have been going on for over a year now.
Mai Chen Mai Chen was interviewed on Wednesday by Kathryn Ryan on Nine to Noon (Radio NZ) about tertiary education issues. I understand her firm is currently working with the NZITP group of 14 ITPs (or was in January), but didn’t hear that mentioned in the intro or in the interview. It’s relevant because the interview ends with a discussion on regional polytechnics. Rather than acting as an advocate, I think she was quite even-handed on issues relating to polytechnics, but the commercial relationship is still relevant.
Minister Visits ITO Kate Wilkinson, Minister of Labour, visited the Communications and Media ITO to investigate a programme that brings in consultants to help firms improve productivity – sounds like a good scheme. HT @itfnz
Otago Job CutsThe University of Otago is looking to save $1.3m from its College of Education, which may result in the loss of about 15 jobs. Management are blaming loss of Tripartite funding, but I can’t see why that would have a specific effect on their College fo Education – seems more like a prioritisation of resources than a strict cause and effect.
Let’s Get Ready to Roll Yes, this story’s about turf management - Otago Polytechnic’s course is full and they’re ready to work on a field near you.