University of Sydney responds to transparency criticism

University of Sydney responds to transparency criticism

By Elliott Brennan

The University of Sydney is set to hold a forum on Monday (August 25) with invitations extended to all current and former students as well as full-time academic staff.

The meeting follows ongoing criticism levelled at the University for lack of consultation regarding Federal Budget deregulation proposals.

In this year’s federal budget, Treasurer Joe Hockey announced significant cuts to Commonwealth funding for higher education and proposed increased deregulation of Australian universities.

The Treasurer himself protested an increase in university fees during his time as the President of the Sydney University Student Representative Council.

Practically, Mr Hockey’s budget changes mean university degrees will become less affordable, with mathematicians at the Australian National University estimating the cost of a degree in the social sciences will be raised from $18,000 to $70,000.

This will mean students will take up to ten years longer to repay their HECS loans.

President of the University of Sydney Branch of the National Tertiary Education Union, Michael Thomson, said it is inappropriate for the University to withhold consultation with staff and students.

“The Vice-Chancellor has been praising the Governments’ proposed changes to fee de-regulation and he has to explain himself to the community he is representing while doing this,” Mr Thomson said.

Vice-Chancellor Dr Michael Spence made a submission on behalf of the University to the Federal Government in December 2013 in which he supported the uncapping of more prestigious courses like Economics and Law.

Sydney University student education officer Ridah Hassan condemned Dr Spence’s lack of consultation with the community.

In early July at least four of the 22 University of Sydney Senate Fellows opposed deregulation in the federal budget.

A motion put forth by the Fellows directly opposed fee deregulation:

“We further ask that the University of Sydney refrain from supporting fee deregulation, which will prevent or discourage potential students from seeking admission to the University because of an inability to meet or repay tuition costs.”

Initially, the idea of a meeting on the issue was taken to a vote in the Alumni Council but was voted down.

Mr Hassan put the problem down to a conflict of interest.

“I don’t think there’s much transparency at all in the University. There is a real contradiction between the interests of the staff and students,” he said.

The University revealed its plans to increase transparency last Thursday (14th of August) when Dr Michael Spence and the Chancellor Belinda Hutchinson sent out a joint invitation to all students to a meeting on higher education.

“The Senate of the University has decided that a meeting ought to be held for staff and students about the appropriate size and shape of the University, and about the principles that ought to underpin our response to any changes in the regulatory environment.”

“It’s a half step in the right direction. It’s a result of pressure from below, so it’s good to see at least they are acting on that,” Mr Thomson said.

Ms Hassan said he does not think the meeting will be useful.

“This meeting will have no decision making power whatsoever,” he said.

 

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