Hard to recruit staff
p. 53 · Read in the full issue
The University of the South Pacific is finding it difficult to attract staff, particularly in the areas of science and accoun ting.
Staff costs, at FsB.3 million, accounted for 70 per cent of total 1985 expenditure of F 511.7 million, according to the university’s annual report.
Last year, USP had the same resources, in real terms, as in 1984, though lower inflation, brought about in part by the government’s wage freeze, les sened the impact on budgets, says Vice-Chancellor Geoffrey Caston in his introduction to the
report.
“There is, however, no room in our budget for new deve lopments unless they can be funded by cutting back existing activities,” he warns.
However, the proportion of regional citizens on the univer sity staff had risen to about 60 per cent.
Funds allocated for staff salaries were underspent as a result of unfilled vacancies, and some of this money was di verted to library books, equip ment, renovations to staff houses and maintenance work on student accommodation.