The University of Adelaide and the University of South Australia are merging, causing disruptions for students and staff alike. Gabbi, a student, shares her experience of having her degree plans altered, including a change in her major and minor. She had to decide between working, saving, and spending time with loved ones, or continuing her studies full-time. Despite the challenges, she chose to persevere, feeling strongly about completing her degree as originally planned. The merger has led to a chaotic year for many students, with concerns about course disruptions and the impact on their degrees. The new Adelaide University aims to cater to a large student body and staff, but the transition process has raised questions about course delivery, face-to-face teaching, and delays in study plans. The National Tertiary Education Union SA secretary, Dr. Andrew Miller, highlights communication issues and the distress caused by changes in course timetables. The union is negotiating an enterprise agreement, emphasizing the need for staff recognition and compensation. Gabbi acknowledges the benefits of the merger but is grateful for the extra effort she put in this year to graduate under the current system, avoiding potential disruptions in the future.
