SCU students reject attacks on education
By Ben Crowther
LISMORE — Students at Southern Cross University held a rally on May 20 to fight federal government attacks on the education system. The rally was part of a national week of action organised by the National Union of Students.
A mock burial symbolised the death of publicly funded, accessible education. Many participants wore black. Street theatre highlighted student poverty by showing people being forced into burglary, prostitution and drug dealing.
The event was organised by the SCU Education Action Group, affiliated to the Student Representative Council. The EAG has organised a boycott of an $18 up-front fee introduced by the administration. The administration has threatened boycotting students with disenrolment. So far the boycott has forced SCU to reduce the fee to $9, but the EAG is continuing the campaign until the fee is abolished.
Speakers at the rally raised the effect of the common youth allowance and voluntary student unionism. These issues particularly affect regional campuses such as SCU, which has the highest proportion of students on welfare in Australia.
Brad Cleary, SRC education officer, said cuts have created "huge problems with child-care, parking facilities, library services and overcrowded classes. Now the administration are punishing students who are boycotting the administration fee. The SRC will do whatever it takes to ensure our rights are observed."
The rally coincided with the day of action by students in Indonesia. Yos Suprapto, an Indonesian activist at SCU, described the situation in Indonesia. "Suharto should not only stand down but should be put on trial", he declared to applause.
The rally observed a minute's silence to remember the student activists killed by the military in recent demonstrations.