Vice-Chancellor Professor Jan Thomas.
Massey University has told students and staff they may take part in the Student Strike for Climate events around the country on September 27.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Jan Thomas said staff, apart from those responsible for maintaining essential services, could attend without taking leave or having pay deducted and she called on academic and other support staff to ensure students could attend without missing out on studies.
The Massey University Students Association had written to Professor Thomas asking for support for the nationwide strike, which is being led by school pupils.
“The University’s Climate Action Plan recognises the significance of the issue and will guide us in decarbonisation of our operations over the next decade as well as in how we respond through education, research and engagement,” Professor Thomas said in a message to staff today. “While I acknowledge participation by some staff and students in the actions of September 27 may cause some disruption, there have been requests including from the Massey University Students Association, for a show of support from the University. I have discussed this with my senior managers, and we are convinced that this is an issue of sufficient magnitude to warrant accommodating the wishes of those who wish to take part.”
Several universities have responded favourably to requests for support from the various students’ associations.