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VSU....(a lil long winded...sorry)

VSU....(a lil long winded...sorry)

Old Apr 29th 2005, 6:20 am
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Default VSU....(a lil long winded...sorry)

Hi all!!

Need your help!! I am currently working for the Bendigo Student Association which is a variation of a Student Union. We are a not for profit organisation that operates within a University but is indepentant of the University. We are funded by a percentage of the GSF(General Service Fee) that Students pay at the start of every year. Currently, this is up to $360 for the year. Yes, its a compulsory fee that covers our services, but also the on campus nurse, doctor and a wide range of other services.

We are overseen by a Board of Students so that we can work for the Students and provide services that Students need. We are in a Regional area so alot of these services are essential to make life bearable for alot of students that are away from home for the first time. As you can see below, the services we provide vary considerably and cover just about anything a Student needs outside the lecture room. Its also important to know that we are independant of the University so we can be an independant voice for the Student.

The Liberals are planning on abolishing the GSF and making it a voluntary fee as they are under the false impression that Student Unions spend the GSF on political rallies and activities and they think that they will mute this voice by bringing in VSU. Currently in Victoria, joining a Union/Association is voluntary. No one is automatically a member of a Union/Association. The only thing compulsory is paying the GSF which goes to cover alot of essential services.

This is a blurb from the BSA website which might answer any questions you might have about our services etc.


What is VSU?

Voluntary Student Unionism (VSU) is a Federal Government initiative that proposes that fees charged for membership of student organisations be optional.

Currently in Victoria, students pay a services fee to the university, not directly to a student association or union. The university regulates what services the fee is used for.


How will it affect me?

The Bendigo Student Association (BSA) relies on compulsory fees to provide the budget needed to provide its extensive range of services. A reduced income means that some services will be diluted and others will be cut altogether. The introduction of VSU in WA in 1995 resulted in the virtual destruction of campus life leaving the students to navigate their studies (and their lives) on their own.

Services that are under threat at La Trobe, Bendigo include:

• Return to study programs
• Academic skills sessions
• Language & learning workshops
• Numeracy workshops
• Assignment manual
• Subsidised child care
• Café & stationery shop
• Health care
• Accommodation services
• Intervarsity & on-campus sport
• Subsidised gymnasium
• Free photocopying
• Free breakfasts & BBQs
• Second-hand book market
• Clubs & societies
• Graduation ball
• ‘O’ week programs & events
• Student diary
• Security escorts
• Student discount card


To provide even the basic services, the university will need to find money within their existing budgets. Consequently, there will be no real financial savings, only overstretched university staff and inferior services.

Students will be forced to look outside of the university community for support, recreation and entertainment, where the primary motivation for providers is profit, not the wellbeing of the customer. And who will advise students or act as their advocate if an issue arises with the university or its staff – certainly not somebody employed by them.

Staff & parents will have to contend with students suffering more from social isolation, financial hardships, accommodation difficulties and time management issues. The result will be tired and/or stressed students spending more time worrying about their existence and state of mind and less time concentrating on their studies.

This bill has consequences far beyond any ideological stance against ‘unionism’. Don’t let the safety net of services provided through the GSF be severed - it is in nobody’s best interests.


I would really appreciate it if you could all go to http://theage.com.au/polls/national/form.html and vote. Obviously I would like everyone to vote NO, but I only ask you to think about what Uni life would be like if all it were was Lectures? No welfare support, no clubs to meet people, no Employment Officer to help get work so you can continue in your course....

Thanks

Hels
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Old Apr 29th 2005, 6:52 am
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Default Re: VSU....(a lil long winded...sorry)

Originally Posted by Hels
Hi all!!

Need your help!! I am currently working for the Bendigo Student Association which is a variation of a Student Union. We are a not for profit organisation that operates within a University but is indepentant of the University. We are funded by a percentage of the GSF(General Service Fee) that Students pay at the start of every year. Currently, this is up to $360 for the year. Yes, its a compulsory fee that covers our services, but also the on campus nurse, doctor and a wide range of other services.

We are overseen by a Board of Students so that we can work for the Students and provide services that Students need. We are in a Regional area so alot of these services are essential to make life bearable for alot of students that are away from home for the first time. As you can see below, the services we provide vary considerably and cover just about anything a Student needs outside the lecture room. Its also important to know that we are independant of the University so we can be an independant voice for the Student.

The Liberals are planning on abolishing the GSF and making it a voluntary fee as they are under the false impression that Student Unions spend the GSF on political rallies and activities and they think that they will mute this voice by bringing in VSU. Currently in Victoria, joining a Union/Association is voluntary. No one is automatically a member of a Union/Association. The only thing compulsory is paying the GSF which goes to cover alot of essential services.

This is a blurb from the BSA website which might answer any questions you might have about our services etc.


What is VSU?

Voluntary Student Unionism (VSU) is a Federal Government initiative that proposes that fees charged for membership of student organisations be optional.

Currently in Victoria, students pay a services fee to the university, not directly to a student association or union. The university regulates what services the fee is used for.


How will it affect me?

The Bendigo Student Association (BSA) relies on compulsory fees to provide the budget needed to provide its extensive range of services. A reduced income means that some services will be diluted and others will be cut altogether. The introduction of VSU in WA in 1995 resulted in the virtual destruction of campus life leaving the students to navigate their studies (and their lives) on their own.

Services that are under threat at La Trobe, Bendigo include:

• Return to study programs
• Academic skills sessions
• Language & learning workshops
• Numeracy workshops
• Assignment manual
• Subsidised child care
• Café & stationery shop
• Health care
• Accommodation services
• Intervarsity & on-campus sport
• Subsidised gymnasium
• Free photocopying
• Free breakfasts & BBQs
• Second-hand book market
• Clubs & societies
• Graduation ball
• ‘O’ week programs & events
• Student diary
• Security escorts
• Student discount card


To provide even the basic services, the university will need to find money within their existing budgets. Consequently, there will be no real financial savings, only overstretched university staff and inferior services.

Students will be forced to look outside of the university community for support, recreation and entertainment, where the primary motivation for providers is profit, not the wellbeing of the customer. And who will advise students or act as their advocate if an issue arises with the university or its staff – certainly not somebody employed by them.

Staff & parents will have to contend with students suffering more from social isolation, financial hardships, accommodation difficulties and time management issues. The result will be tired and/or stressed students spending more time worrying about their existence and state of mind and less time concentrating on their studies.

This bill has consequences far beyond any ideological stance against ‘unionism’. Don’t let the safety net of services provided through the GSF be severed - it is in nobody’s best interests.


I would really appreciate it if you could all go to http://theage.com.au/polls/national/form.html and vote. Obviously I would like everyone to vote NO, but I only ask you to think about what Uni life would be like if all it were was Lectures? No welfare support, no clubs to meet people, no Employment Officer to help get work so you can continue in your course....

Thanks

Hels
No Problem. Bloody Johnny Howard!
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Old Apr 29th 2005, 7:26 am
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Default Re: VSU....(a lil long winded...sorry)

http://www.brendannelson.com.au/

Another option is to lay your complaint direct to the minister and your local MP.
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Old Apr 29th 2005, 8:07 am
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Default Re: VSU....(a lil long winded...sorry)

Originally Posted by bondipom
http://www.brendannelson.com.au/

Another option is to lay your complaint direct to the minister and your local MP.
LOl, you don't know what you're saying.
A similar proposition was to be imposed on Universities in WA in 1977. As a member of the Students' Union of Murdoch Uni, we organised a march through the city and a (peaceful!) demonstration outside Parliament House, with a petition to be presented to the Premier. All went well.
But two years later, when I was living in Darwin and the CHOGM conference was to be held in Melbourne, my home and my employers were visited by ASIO.....apparently my involvement in the process had given me the title of 'radical student activist', so I had to be investigated!
Needless to say, Hevs, I've voted no.........how many times can I vote?
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Old Apr 29th 2005, 10:05 am
  #5  
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Default Re: VSU....(a lil long winded...sorry)

This was a tricky one to work out.

If I felt positive I couldn't vote positive.
If I felt negative I couldn't vote negative.
If I was feeling negative I could have voted positive.
However, I was feeling positive, so voted negative.

Gar....is this what they call bonestorming ?

Phew. Time for a rest.
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Old Apr 29th 2005, 10:45 am
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Default Re: VSU....(a lil long winded...sorry)

done, what is it about University that makes politicians think it is an easy target to bleed money from?

Bliar wants 50% of brits to go to University but expects us to be able to afford to come out 30k in debt. Fantastic!
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Old Apr 29th 2005, 2:23 pm
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Default Re: VSU....(a lil long winded...sorry)

Bump!
The more, the merrier........
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Old Apr 29th 2005, 3:23 pm
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Default Re: VSU....(a lil long winded...sorry)

I went and voted (no) too . I'm not in Australia yet but will be in September, so... I'm thinking for the future!
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