ANU has said it needs to reclaim a budget shortfall of $250 million.

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Last week, the College of Arts and Social Sciences published its roadmap for meeting the university's goal for its areas.

This "change proposal" boils down to a list of cuts that will damage staff, students, as well as local families, communities and economies.

ANU staff make up roughly 0.12 per cent of Canberra's population.

But many more Canberrans are ANU alumni or have a child or relative studying or working there, meaning the proportion of Canberrans who have a direct interest in ANU is significant.

Job losses will have an economic, educational and cultural impact on the city.

Equally important is the effect the proposed changes will have on ANU's core functions.

How will ANU continue to meet its national remit - and defend its ongoing receipt of the National Institutes Grant - if it is cutting areas that contribute directly to its mission?

ANU was founded in 1946 to be unlike any other university in Australia.

Its vision is to develop national unity and identity, improve our understanding of ourselves and our neighbours, and provide world-leading national research capacity and education in areas vital for our future.

ANU receives an annual "block grant", reportedly $220 million in 2023.

Called the National Institutes Grant, this funding was endowed to ANU in 1946 to help it deliver on its special mission.

The block grant has historically maintained and evolved excellence in research, supporting the development of areas that would not gain funding from sources........

© Canberra Times