From the Vice Chancellor
Around
the country universities are trying to count the cost of the latest news
from Canberra – the introduction of Voluntary Student Unionism (VSU).
It seems that the Federal Government is determined to outlaw the long standing relationships within universities, which mean students pay a tax for the provision of universal services by a student led organisation. While some would prefer not to pay this, most acknowledge that these particular services make an important and positive contribution to the culture of the institution.
Most Vice Chancellors remain bemused by the vehemence of the attack on student organisations and the ferocity of the fines which are proposed if a university seeks to levy an amenity fee to ensure continuity of service. While none of us have consistently enjoyed the interactions with student organisations – the demonstrations against university decisions and the calls from time to time for the Vice Chancellor to resign are usually trying on the nerves – none of us has ever suggested that we wish to see legislation such as that being proposed. However, it seems we will have it in place, without substantial change, for 2006.
UniSA has particular problems in provision of services to students. Our relative poverty, multi-campus nature, large numbers of part-time students, high proportion of full-time students who are employed and the legacy of poor infrastructure provision by government over the last 30 years, have made it hard to provide attractive amenities and a wide range of services for students on campus. We have worked cooperatively with the UniSA Student Association to plan the provision of services and amenities. Indeed, a formal sub-committee of the University’s Finance Committee, the Student Services Sub Committee, is charged with planning and implementing a collaborative approach to service provision with the UniSA Student Association.
So what are the implications of the proposed legislation on what is called VSU for UniSA?
The UniSA Student Association provides many services.
It provides funds to support 25 sports clubs and 63 interest affiliated clubs – faith based, profession or program related, international or interest based. It underwrites accommodation and employment services and runs bars on campus. It produces student media, in print and broadcasting, and organises a wide range of social events for students. The student association’s role in stimulating social interaction on campus through various events and its support for international student organisations help build a sense of community within the student body as cultural diversity on campus increases.
One of the most important things our student organisation does is provide opportunities for those students who want to participate actively in decision making. It allows students to run their own organisation – well most of the time and badly sometimes. It assists the University to identify people willing to serve as representatives of students on major bodies of the University – Council, Academic Board and Division Boards. Traditionally, such representative work has groomed future political and professional leaders.
Student advocacy through Student Advisory Officers employed by the UniSA Student Association is another vital role. These officers, at arm’s length from the University, advise students on a range of issues and support them if they are appealing against the decisions of a staff member or a University committee. They fulfil a critically important role which is difficult to see being effectively carried out by people employed by the University.
If the proposed VSU legislation is passed, the University will need to decide which of these services and activities it can afford to fund from 2006. It will have to provide them from within existing resources and, of course, cut services in other areas to do this. It’s always a zero sum game!