Veterinary Diagnostic Pathology Laboratory to continue to operate
James Cook University’s Veterinary Diagnostic Pathology Laboratory will remain in operation after reviewing feedback from staff and students.
Vice Chancellor Professor Simon Biggs has completed his review of feedback into proposed changes to the University’s Laboratory and Technical Services and the final Change Management Plan has been determined.
The Veterinary Diagnostic Pathology Laboratory will continue to operate, with two full-time staff, down from three currently.
The lab will prioritise activities to support Veterinary Science teaching and course deliver, matters with potential biosecurity implications and Veterinary Science research required by the Head of Discipline.
The University will also conduct a dedicated review of the laboratory’s operating model to determine the best way to fund and operate the centre in future years, while ensuring it is financially sustainable and linked to JCU priorities. The review will determine appropriate funding and cost-recovery arrangements for the lab into the future.
Professor Biggs said the input of staff and students had helped to shape the final decision to retain the Veterinary Diagnostic Pathology Laboratory.
“I’d like to thank everyone who took the time to be part of the consultation process because your input has played a key role in this outcome,” Professor Biggs said.
“The University proposed changes to Laboratory and Technical Services because there was a need for clearer operational and safety accountability and to ensure services remain sustainable well into the future.
“We believe this decision gets the balance right between focusing on the University’s long-term sustainability and providing important services and resources to our staff and students right now.”
As part of the Change Management Plan, a final decision has been made on the live animal displays at JCU.
The University will retain the display aquarium at the Science Place at the Bebegu Yumba campus in Townsville, while the other animals in the living collection – in both Townsville and Cairns – will not be retained. Those animals will be rehomed after a structured transition to the new arrangements.
Professor Biggs said that there would be a small number of people who would be leaving JCU as their roles were no longer part of the new Laboratory and Technical Services structure.
“We know this is a very difficult time for people who are directly impacted by these changes and we want to provide appropriate support,” he said.
“This has been a very thorough process and we’ve incorporated significant amounts of feedback from our staff and students and that feedback has helped to shape these decisions.”
There will be an overall loss of around five full-time positions across Laboratory and Technical Services.