Anti Student Organisation Legislation (ASOL)

national day of action 10 august 2005
Leaving Hawthorn campus at 12:30pm Under the sails
Or meet 1:45pm State Library (Opposite Melbourne Central station)

You would be hard pressed to find a student who has not enjoyed one of the fun activities that the Swinburne Student Union runs throughout the semester. Anything from funky bands, roaming performers, comedians, belly dancers and karaoke (just to name a few) have all been enjoyed by each and every one of us during our time here at Swinburne. Most students would also have grabbed a free feed provided by the SSU or accessed the many services we provide such as the student diary, student loans, legal advice, advocacy or the night bus service.
Unfortunately all of this is currently under threat as the Federal Government moves to cut funding from student organizations like the SSU.

What is ASOL All About?
Anti student organisation legislation (or VSU) has been introduced into the House of Representatives by none other than the man who brought you the HECS fee increases Doctor Brendan Nelson. The legislation as it stands will effectively cut funding from student organistions from the 1st of January 2006. This will have serious repercussions on students and not just because the free fun stuff will go but also because student organisations defend your rights and collectively organize to ensure that the University and the State and Federal Government do not shaft students when formulating policy, setting fees or directives in the teaching and learning environment.

There have been several attempts by the Liberal Government to introduce anti student legislation and whilst they were unsuccessful, they were quite clever in ‘selling’ the idea to the public. They termed the legislation ‘Voluntary Student Unionism’ in order to focus the discussion on the area of freedom of association. The SSU supports the basic human right of freedom of association however this rhetoric of freedom of choice that the Liberals cleverly employ is a farce, as a University like Swinburne does not have equitable access, equitable policy or governance structures or sufficient resources and these factors effectively decreases students choice not increase it. Our position is that by permitting universal membership of student organisations one is not reducing individual choice. and the reason is two fold.

Why is Universal Membership Good for Students?
Firstly student organisations are more like local councils. Each member of the community pays rates to their local council and by doing so is able to access a range of services and facilities. Whilst we do not use all the services all of the time we benefit by way of being able to access essential services when we need them at a much reduced cost when compared to a user pays by service model (VSU is a user pays service model).

Student organisations work in much the same manner. We all pay a relatively small fee (relatively small when compared to the services student organisations provide) and each and every one of us has access to these services when we require it. Anything from legal advice and support, access to interest free and no credit check student loans, student media like Tabula Rasa and the radio station 3SSR and free fun stuff can be accessed via your student organisation. For example as a student you may have had a couple really bad semesters because of family problems and failed at least 50% of your subjects. In this case the University will ask that you attend a hearing where a panel will decide if you are able to remain in your course. In this situation the Swinburne Student Union provides a professionally trained advocate to represent you at the panel hearing (with your consent). The advocate has experience in how to put your case forward to the panel and they also ensure that your rights are maintained and that the University adheres to its own policy on such matters. Whilst you may only require this service once in your time here at Swinburne it is reassuring to know that it is available on each of our campuses because you have universal membership in the Swinburne Student Union.

This is why Universal membership is a better model than the user pays system where if you have the money to pay you can access the service (e.g. fun stuff, night bus, advocacy, clubs and societies) and if you do not then you simply go without.

Why Is Student Representation Essential?
Each year students elect their representatives in a range of portfolio positions. Representation is extremely important because it gives a voice to students on a range of board and committees within the University.

A working example of the type of outstanding work student representatives do is clearly highlighted when considering the re-marking of assignment or other pieces of assessment. Say you received a lower mark for a piece of assessment than you believe your work deserved and wanted to have someone else take a look at your work and provide an assessment of it. Under current policy (that student representatives on the APPC fought hard for and won) you can ask that an independent assessor re-mark your work. If the independent assessor marks your work higher the higher mark stands. If it is lower than the initial mark than your initial mark stands. Extremely student friendly policy with all areas covered in the students favour. This is just one example of many of the value of student representation. We must protect our rights and ensure that the University continues to adequately fund the Swinburne Student Union (this year we have had a $300,000+ funding cut). The services and representation that the Swinburne Student Union provides are absolutely essential. The fun stuff run throughout the semester allows campus culture to be built and makes for a memorable university experience as such is also important. We as students must speak out against what the Government is doing as it is not in our interests to lose our student organisations.

ASOL Resources

Library

Anti Student Organisation Legislation (ASOL)