UQ helps bridge VSU void

The University of Queensland is moving to safeguard a range of important student services that are threatened by the Commonwealth’s ‘voluntary student unionism’.

Support for legal advice, confidential counselling, campus safety and sports and recreational facilities are part of the package to be funded, Vice-Chancellor, Professor John Hay, AC, said today.

“UQ will provide approximately $2 million per year to the UQ Union (UQU) and UQ Sport, to maintain services that would otherwise face extinction because of so-called ‘voluntary student unionism’,” Professor Hay said.

“Rather than stand by as VSU diminishes the student experience, UQ established a working party which consulted with the student union (UQU) and UQ Sport, and will offer as much support as is feasible within the University’s budgetary capacity.

“Certain cultural, sporting, support and social services will be retained for all Australian and international students, because these services are intrinsic to the UQ experience,” Professor Hay said.

Services to be covered through UQ’s support include:

➢ Confidential advice, advocacy and support to students on issues such as grievances, misconduct, appeals, exam arrangements and conditions, harassment and discrimination;
➢ Legal advice on intellectual property, minor criminal and civil disputes, discipline appeals, residential tenancy agreements, and simple wills and powers of attorney;
➢ The Safety Bus, which helps maintain personal safety;
➢ Buses between the three main campuses (St Lucia, Ipswich and Gatton);
➢ Crisis and personal support, and assistance relating to scholarships and Commonwealth benefits and payments;
➢ A basic capacity to support student recreational and cultural activities through clubs and societies;
➢ The Sports Scholarship Programme and the Club Sport Program;
➢ Maintenance and operation of ovals and major sports venues;
➢ Maintenance of UQ Sport’s organisational support for the Gatton and Ipswich campuses; and
➢ International student services.

UQ Secretary and Registrar, Mr Douglas Porter, said grants from UQ will enable UQU and UQ Sport to provide services to all students this year, in spite of the legislation taking effect on July 1, 2006.

The first grants totalling approximately $2 million would be paid in 2007, and would then be indexed in line with CPI, Mr Porter said.

“As well, UQU will be supported in its strategy of improving the profitability of business and trading operations, and UQ Sport in marketing its facilities and services,” Mr Porter said.

UQU President, Ms Lucy Weber, welcomed the package.

“Although the Union will be running on less than a quarter of its former capacity, this funding will ensure that we are able to keep our basic support services open to all students irrespective of whether they have the capacity or foresight to pay a fee,” Ms Weber said.

Media contact: Fiona Kennedy (07) 3365 1088 / 0413 380 012