A new role for a plum position has been advertised by one of Australia’s top universities, just one year after the Covid-19 pandemic saw hundreds of job losses.
The University of Melbourne has launched a search for senior advisers in ‘gender affirmation. This has triggered a backlash from the public online.
As part of the role, students and staff will be able to develop and implement a gender affirmation program that ensures a positive and safe experience at campus.
University of Melbourne has caused an uproar online after advertising a new role for a ‘gender affirmation’ senior advisor earning a six figure salary (stock image)
The job description says that you will be responsible for liaising closely with universities and programs in order to make sure systems, processes, and other elements are available to assist in the implementation of a person’s gender affirmation plan. You will also seek to affect change as necessary.
Transgender students as well as staff can report on discrimination, bullying and other “threatening or concerning behavior” during the 12-month term.
Candidates must have experience supporting individuals who are transgender or gender-different.
It is also known as Australia’s Number One University, and consistently ranks among the top universities worldwide.
There was a split online response to the job advertisement. Many critics described the position as “insane” after the university eliminated 450 jobs.
Tweet: “Ripping of young adults who have high tuitions to pay a secretary 110k to discuss gender,” one wrote.
One more: “Companies must stop hiring people at these woke universities, and it is time to build new academic institutions. The woke are interested in places not captured by them, as well as the permanently offended.
Others joined the defense of the university.
A person observed, “Sounds as if students are going to receive support for their gender identities. Awesome.”
A second added question: Why moral panic and condescension It is a support office for transgender students. It’s not common for counsellors to have extensive experience with dealing with these issues. This is why it’s called a specialty.
University of Melbourne (pictured) describes itself in the job description as Australia’s number one university,
Online reaction (pictured) to the advertised position has been divided
Many described this position as the ‘easiest job in history.
One man stated, “It’s serious, I mean it, I love to watch what they do on the job minute by minute, affirming women’s gender identities,”
University of Melbourne defended the new role when contacted by Daily Mail Australia.
A spokeswoman for the university stated that it has a responsibility to stop discrimination, even discrimination based on gender identity.
“This position is for individuals who need support affirming their gender. It assists them in the process of doing so and links them to relevant services inside and outside university.
In August 2020, the university eliminated 450 jobs as it faced a $1 billion revenue gap as a consequence of the coronavirus pandemic.
A spokesperson for the university stated that staff were asked to vote to abstain from a 2.2% pay rise, effective 1 May.
“Staff rejected this proposal. The University estimated that it would have saved approximately 200 jobs.”
The new role was criticized online as crazy, insane and exaggerated by critics.
Duncan Maskell, vice-chancellor of Australia, stated that job losses were required to decrease expenditure following the pandemic which prevented thousands from travelling to Australia to study.
The university faces a nearly $1B loss in revenue over the next three year. He stated that the current level of spending is unsustainable.
The university stated that it has $4.43 trillion in reserve funds as of its 2019 Annual Report.
The job was advertised (pictured) a year after University of Melbourne axed 450 positions