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Students to rally in run-up to VSM Bill
Students to rally in run-up to VSM Bill
Students around the
country will be rallying on Monday against education cuts
and threats to their independent voice in the lead up to the
Third Reading of ACT’s Bill to end universal membership of
students’ associations on Wednesday September 28.
“Students are growing increasingly frustrated and appalled that the Government is ignoring their voices on these issues. National is supporting ACT’s extreme Bill which will undermine independent representation on campus and put important student services at risk, and the Government’s new draft directions on Student Services Levies could shut down many aspects of student life – creating a double whammy for students next year,” says NZUSA Co-President David Do.
Tomorrow’s actions
are as follows:
• Auckland University
rally in the Quad, Student Union Complex, 1pm
•
Otago University rally, Union Lawn, 12pm
•
Waikato University silent protest, Village Green,
11-1pm
These events continue many activities by students
at Auckland, Wellington, Lincoln, and Dunedin campuses over
the past few months regarding ACT’s Bill.
“Voluntary student membership is one of the biggest threats to a strong independent student voice for many years. It will splinter and undermine the collective voice and contribution of students to the tertiary community. National still has an opportunity to drop its support for this extreme and inflexible Bill and instead work with students on fairer alternatives for improving student services and representation, rather than gutting them,” says NZUSA Co-President Max Hardy.
“Continued underfunding to the tertiary sector has got worse, putting more pressure on institutions to raise their tuition fees when New Zealand already has the 7th highest fees in the OECD. Student debt continues to rise and will hit a whopping $12 billion this year – this affects graduates, families and the professions, with workforce shortages experienced in sectors with high student debt,” says Hardy.
“NZUSA supports students getting involved, having their say, and standing up for their education. These events will help ensure students are aware of the key issues in the run up to the general election campaign – the quality of their education and the institution they are in, and the ability to have an independent voice on campus,” says Do.
“With the general election coming up soon, students will be looking for leadership on the issues that affect them and New Zealand. We need bold policies to invest in education, tackle student debt, ensure access for all, and value students’ voices,” concludes Do.
NZUSA is the national representative body for tertiary students and has been advocating on student issues since 1929.
ENDS
There are also Facebook event pages:
Auckland
https://www.facebookcom/event.php?eid=117669278338831
Waikato
https://www.facebookcom/event.php?eid=279633638731388
Otago
https://www.facebookcom/event.php?eid=254445791260175
NZUSA - New Zealand Union of Students' Associations
We stand for opportunity, for all.
NZUSA is the New Zealand Union of Students' Associations, the national body that represents New Zealand's students' associations and the interests of New Zealand's 400,000 students at universities, polytechnics and in trades training.
We conduct original research, advocate to Government and through the media, and support New Zealand's students' associations to be more effective on behalf of their members. We advocate alongside Te Mana Akonga – The National Māori Students' Association, and Tertiary Women New Zealand – The NZUSA Women's Caucus.
Since 1929, we've believed in a society rich in opportunity, where anyone from anywhere can become any thing. We support accessible, affordable quality public tertiary education.
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