The president of the Newcastle university teacher's union says no one he has spoken to is supportive of possible changes to the University of Newcastle term schedule.
National Tertiary Education Union Newcastle branch president Associate Professor Terry Summers said both students and staff had signalled objection to the possibility of trimesters or quarters.
The University of Newcastle is undertaking a "co-design process" to review its teaching calendar, considering two options: a trimester model and a quarter model, alongside the current calendar.
Dr Summers said while the union had not adopted an official stance, there was widespread discontent and he did not believe there was enough communication about the process.
"I personally haven't spoken to a single student that is for the proposal," he said.
"I also believe that a large proportion of the schools are opposed to the proposal and I personally haven't spoken to a single staff member that's in favour."
He said staff were concerned that more intense scheduling would lead to poor outcomes.
"It's mainly pedagogical," he said. "Compressed timeframes, not giving students enough time to absorb the material properly, not having enough time to assess it properly, extended teaching periods over time, not having the opportunity for students to earn an income.
"There has been little information presented and so many questions.
"Even though the university would say there's been widespread consultation, there has really been a lack of detail."
University of Newcastle deputy vice-chancellor (academic), Professor Mark Hoffman said the university was nearing completion of a second stage of consultation. The university conducted two surveys about the alternative academic calendar review.
However University of Newcastle Law Students Association president Lachlan James said students felt they couldn't accurately respond to questions asked in the first survey.
Dr Hoffman staff and students had reported that the current calendar was complicated and that the university should be able to do better.
A preliminary consultation review in October 2023 involving more than 200 staff and student leaders found that the current academic calendar was suboptimal, according to a discussion paper released by the university.
"Needs change over time, and we require a teaching calendar that is modern, fit-for-purpose and best supports our students and staff," Dr Hoffman said.
"We are currently undertaking a co-design process to review our teaching calendar, with the view to increase flexibility for our diverse student cohorts, address current timetabling issues, and help students and staff juggle the demands of life and study, along with institutional sustainability."
