The National Union of Students is shocked that despite record Government investment into university infrastructure in tonight’s budget, no money will be available to save vital student services, despite Government assurances that the crisis facing student organisations would be resolved this year.
‘We’re relieved that the Government has finally responded to the NUS campaign of five years to abolish undergraduate full-fee degrees. Similarly, expanding the endowment fund and providing renewal funding will address many of the infrastructure problems plaguing our universities’ said Mr Angus McFarland, the National President of the National Union of Students.
‘But the government is too concerned with building nice new buildings and not concerned enough with what goes on in them. They should be concerned with what students are getting out of their education – and right now it’s not a lot.’ Mr McFarland continued.
‘Students are still graduating with the highest levels of personal debt in the world, and many will have their studies adversely affected by a lack of income support. Finally, the Government has failed to address the crisis facing student services and life on campus. Despite over $7 billion in funding announced for universities, not a cent of that will be available to restore lost student services,’ Mr McFarland continued.
‘The Government assured students that they would deliver on their promise to restore essential student services and representation. Without action this year, services will continue to close month by month. Yet they seem to have decided to leave student organisations to slowly die,’ Mr McFarland said.
‘Frankly it seems unbelievable that out of $7 billion, a Government allegedly committed to an education revolution could not allocate a cent to save essential student services,’ Mr McFarland concluded.
For more information or comment contact Angus McFarland via the NUS website
