Although exact numbers are not known, a union spokesman said several Wodonga campus staff had already been given an indication their positions would go.

The university announced earlier this year that 350 jobs would go as part of what it described at the time as a “need for productivity improvements”.

This week it unveiled its plan to “revitalise and renew” its teaching and research programs, including a commitment from university vice chancellor Professor John Dewar “to our presence in regional Victoria”.

- 'Vast bulk' will keep jobs but roles are likely to change

But the National Tertiary Education Union yesterday dismissed the university’s plan as window dressing to a savage round of job cuts.

The union’s La Trobe branch president, Virginia Mansel Lees, said the central issue was that 350 jobs would go because of the switch from five faculties to a two-college model.

The proposed changes include reducing the number of schools from 16 to 11 and departments from 48 to 29.

La Trobe also wants to create five “flagship” arts degrees and education courses, while establishing stronger teaching links with business and industry.

A university spokesman said it was not yet known how the changes would impact on Wodonga.

“I’m unable to tell you that because we haven’t told our staff that,” he said.

“We’re only in the early stages.

Ms Mansel-Lees said affected Wodonga staff were being spoken to about the positions to go.

But she said the exact numbers were unclear because she was only getting that information second or third hand.

“The next round of talks will be next Monday, so by the end of next week we’ll have a clearer idea.”

The university insisted next week’s discussions with Wodonga staff and those at other campuses were the first step in a consultation phase.

“What we did yesterday and will continue to do today is speak to people in three faculties — the social science faculty, science, technology and engineering and the faculty of business, economics and law,” the spokesman said.

“We’re going through the details of what we propose with staff — certainly there will be alterations along the way.”

Professor Dewar said the Australian university sector was going through a period of radical reform.

“We must adapt to the likely reality of market deregulation, reduced federal funding and much greater competition, both between universities and other tertiary education providers — both public and private,” he said.

Ms Mansel Lees said although staff knew it was going to happen, “there was no real idea about exactly how”.

“Of course the university is always going to present a very rosy picture of what it means,” she said.

“But staff are worried about it because it really doesn’t make a lot of sense.”