A decision to fast-track an end to the Greek language as well as Hindi and Indonesian studies has met with the disapproval of the Greek community. La Trobe University’s Greek programme is the only tertiary course of its kind in Victoria, the state with a large Greek population. The consultation process to terminate the teaching of Modern Greek ends on 25 November unless the leadership of La Trobe is convinced of its value.

There are three ways to support the continuation of Greek at La Trobe by 25 November.

We, the undersigned, condemn the move by La Trobe University to reduce and discontinue several courses, including Greek Studies. The blatant disregard for the value of language, culture, history and education is astounding. These actions, if followed through, set a dangerous precedent for the future of higher education in Australia.

We demand that La Trobe University maintain and ensure the long-term prosperity of the following courses:

School of Humanities:

  • Greek Studies
  • Hindi Studies
  • Indonesian Studies
  • Planning and Community
  • Art History
  • Philosophy
  • Bachelor of Creative Arts
  • Bachelor of Arts (regional campus)

School of Education:

  • Outdoor and Environmental Education
  • Master of Applied Linguistics
  • Master of TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages)
  • Bachelor of Technology Education

READ MORE: La Trobe University’s Greek language programme under threat

In proposing the removal of the above courses, it is evident that providing accessible, thorough and worldly education to people of all socio-economic backgrounds is not prioritised. This also has further implications for high school students finishing year 12 and Indigenous Australians who wish to study. How can La Trobe University students be ‘all kinds of clever’ when two schools are facing a decimation of core studies? We, the undersigned, express our extreme dismay at the priorities that La Trobe University has demonstrated.

The benefits of studying languages, humanities and education are widely known. These benefits are based in fact and are not up for debate. If the University genuinely wanted to know why they should continue the aforementioned courses, they would have provided more than a two week consultation period. Suggesting that two weeks is adequate time for stakeholders to provide feedback on the gutting of several departments is false. These decisions impact staff, academics, current and prospective students and will have a detrimental effect on the University’s reputation.

We, the undersigned, also remind La Trobe University that the Greek Studies program is the last of its kind in Victoria. To remove the program is to undermine Greek-Australians, Greek-Melbournians (who have the 3rd highest Greek population in the world) and the faith that they have placed in La Trobe University’s capacity to provide a comprehensive education.

It also must be considered that La Trobe University are the managers of the Dardalis Archives of the Hellenic Diaspora, which are not currently accessible to the public. With the discontinuation of Greek Studies, these archives will likely be lost to the Greek communities who have entrusted La Trobe University with their upkeep. This is just one example of the severity of the decision that La Trobe University has made. Further examples are evident in all of the courses that are facing obliteration.

We also draw attention to the fact that these higher education cuts sit within the broader political situation that has been created by the federal government, and facilitated by the Centre Alliance Party in the Senate. We acknowledge that universities nationwide are facing severe financial hardship. It is the responsibility of the federal government to adequately invest in this country’s future. It is evident that it is a deliberate choice to refuse to adequately fund higher education in Australia when one looks at the following examples of government spending commitments and expenditure: a $270 billion spend in defence, $1.9 billion on an offshore processing system that apparently doesn’t house refugees, $170 million on Murray-Darling water buybacks that were not tendered, $30 million on Badgerys Creek land that was valued at $3 million, and $118,000 for the tax return expenses of ASIC’s chairman.

READ MORE: NUGAS teams up with La Trobe to promote tertiary study of Greek language and culture

Instead of accepting this, La Trobe University must rise to the occasion and condemn the federal government’s actions and commit to properly funding higher education for all.

*If you wish to sign/endorse this letter, please provide your name and title by emailing Angelica Panopoulos at panopoulos.angelica@gmail.com