TAFE should be for everyone
July 14, 2008
Lots of people from all backgrounds at some stage in their life access TAFE education. There are TAFE programs in schools. People wanting to change career often go to TAFE to skill up. It is generally a cheaper and more supportive option that benefits disadvantaged people like Indigenous Australians and rural students.
The Victorian Government is seriously considering increasing fees to TAFE as well introducing more competition between TAFE providers- which could mean less accessibility and less money going to your local TAFE.
Only Christian group to make a submission
May 13, 2008
Only Christian group to make a submission
The Justice & International Mission Unit was the only Christian group to make a submission to ‘The Impact of Voluntary Student Unionism on Services, Amenities and Representation for Australian University Students’ inquiry. [Read more]
Appreciate what you have…
September 18, 2006
If the worlds population was reduced to 100, this is what it would look like.
http://www.miniature-earth.com
VSU
July 20, 2005
Voluntary Student Unionism
As you would be aware the government is keen to pass legislation about Voluntary Student Unionism, that will prevent Universities collecting a compulsory amenities fee from students. I imagine some of you are at uni and may feel the need to make your voice heard. So I thought I would create a space to share protest times and thoughts about this issue. Below is some of the issues taken from the Monash Postgraduate Association Inc on the issue. Find the full article here
Why saving on amenities fees is not as good as it sounds.
What do my postgraduate amenities fees currently fund?
Services and amenities vary across campuses, but can include: childcare, welfare, advice and advocacy, legal advice, social events, student representation, clubs and societies, student publications, student lounges, counselling, careers and employment, seminars and workshops, short courses, accommodation, sports and recreation and targeted support services for students in groups such as research, distance education, low-income, international, and women.
What does the MPA do with their share of postgraduate amenities fees?
The MPA receives approximately $36 per postgraduate, based on cross-campus figures. With this funding, the MPA provides postgraduate-specific services and activities across all six Victorian campuses, as well as at several off-campus locations……
What’s wrong with a user pays system?
Without a secure base income, many services would not be able to sustain operations and would close down completely. So to argue that students could pay to use the services when they wanted them, misses the point that when students needed a service (such as legal representation in a dispute, or childcare), the service may no longer be offered.
What will happen if the VSU legislation is passed?
Many of the services and activities offered by the MPA to postgraduates would be jeopardised. The MPA would be forced to charge individual postgraduates for every service and activity in which they took part. There would be no publications, no free lunches, no advice and advocacy. Without the ability to employ staff, even the basic functions of representation and communication would rely on the availability of postgraduate volunteers. The ability of postgraduates to influence and direct university policies and regulations, to lobby for improved conditions and to participate in the university decision making processes would be greatly diminished.
Want to respond?
Email your concerns
to: Dr Brendan Nelson, Minister for Education, Science and Training, via this online email site:http://www.dest.gov.au/ministers/nelson/contact.htm
Attend a local action at your uni.
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