Student Services Fee Campaign

From mid-2009 universities will- subject to Senate approval - be able to charge students up to $250 on top of their academic fees. Universities can use the fee to fund 17 types of services, including child care, sport, clubs and societies, student media and advocacy. These services will be regulated with 'national benchmarks relating to the provision of student support services' and 'new representation and advocacy protocols'. Students will be able to defer the payment through a HECS-style loan scheme.

This is not a return compulsory student unionism (CSU), membership in student organisations will remain voluntary. The entire student fee will go to the University and as long as they comply with national benchmarks and protocols Universities can spend the fee as they chose.

VSU

There is no doubt that the student experience is broader than just that received in the classroom. At most universities you find counselling, representation, food outlets, financial aid, child care, tutoring, clubs and societies, sport facilities and advocacy services. These services give students support and allow students to gain a range of additional skills and competencies.

In 2006 at the majority of universities many of these services were provided by student organisations. However in 2006 the government passed Voluntary Student Unionism legislation meaning students could chose to pay the student amentaties fee. The actual name of the legislation is misleading, as in WA students had the option to opt out of the their student organisation prior to 2006, so membership in student organisation was voluntary. The difference was all students had to pay the fee, if the co-opted out their fee went to the University.

The reasoning was that the student amenities such as representation benefit all students. It is like our tax system, even if you do not benefit from every single thing the government offers you still have to pay. Since the introduction of VSU student services have deteriorated. Submissions to the Governments Review of Voluntary Student Unionism stated that measures must be introduced to reverse the impact that VSU legislation has had on the quality of student services.

Many universities were forced to fund student services through discretionary funding and in the current economic crisis this is impossible to maintain. The University of Sydney, stepped in with $30 million and La Trobe $3.3 million. With domestic students fees not even covering degree offerings and Government funding having decreased in the last decade Universities can ill afford any further costs. Particularly when facing falling investment incomes due to the economic crisis.

The Rudd Government campaigned on reversing the effects of VSU imposed on universities. After months of consultations the Governments proposed is the $250 student services fee.

CONCERNS

There are several issues with the proposed services fee including-
• How will independent and effective student representation be maintained ?
• How will compliance with National Benchmarks and Protocols be policed?

• Will students have any say in how University administrations spend their money ?
• How many of the 17 listed student services do Universities have to provide if they charge the full fee?

The protocols include a provision for independent representation however with no requirement that any part of the fee go to student organisations it is difficult to determine how this will be policed. Student representation and academic advocacy can be effective only where it is truly independent not administered by the University. Token representation of one student on one University board is not adequate as the issues raised by one student are easily ignored by the University.

Student organisations are also best placed to provide education and welfare support to students. Run by students they are closest to the concerns and experiences of their peers. It is also essential that the advocates for students (for example in the case of Student Appeals) are not simply arms of the University.

CAMPAIGN

National Day of Action

On the 25th of March, students across Australia will come together to ‘Demand a Better Future’. We will be calling on the Rudd government to follow through on their promise of an Education Revolution and talk less and act more! Students will be demanding fair income support and fully funded student organisations.

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