I hope you had a great break over the winter.
Education issues are looming large this year. In first semester
students and staff were standing up for better education. The proposed
Rudd ‘Education Revolution’ has not started unfortunately, but unions
are starting a process for change.
The NTEU staff union joined other unis across Melbourne for a very
successful strike and rally in the city on 21 May. Many student
activists got involved in the picket lines.
Now, the Vice Chancellor has announced more than 200 more staff cuts,
which will only mean intolerable workloads for the staff on whom
students rely every day.
Students need staff to win better conditions and be treated well – not
overworked because of staff shortages and not underpaid because of
budget cuts. GSA has been looking into the problems of...
Name: Judy McVeyPosition: Coursework Education Officer
Contact: coursework (at) gsa.unimelb.edu.au
Hi
I am doing a Masters (CW) in International Politics. This is my second year part-time and it seems like a very interesting time to be studying international political economy as the world moves into the worst crisis since the Great Depression of the 1930s.
Hopefully my studies will help me in my activity representing graduate students. Hey, I should have a better analysis of the political context - I'll let you know at the end of the year. Meanwhile I am hoping to not only assist GSA members with any issues that come up for you, like excessively large class sizes, but also look for ways to improve our lot.
Professor Bradley's recently released Review of higher education for the government has highlighted some key needs of students and staff. Her analysis confirms that the poor study conditions we feel are real and there needs to be more resources in Australian campuses to facilitate our education, like smaller class sizes and improved student/staff ratios, as well as higher student incomes.
While it’s good to see this review arguing for improved conditions for students, I don’t agree with some of her proposals such as voucher system which would only entrench the market further in higher education. We need to find a way to return to publicly-funded education.
If you want to help with any campaigns around these issues, please contact me on the email address above.
Judy McVey
Coursework Education Officer 2009
GSA Coursework Officer – welcome to second semester
Posted in:
Coursework Education Officer
Melbourne universities strike for better education
Posted in:
Coursework Education Officer,
News
Rally on the steps of the SLV
|
It was part of a 24-hour statewide strike over wages and conditions that disrupted five universities - Deakin, Melbourne, Monash, RMIT and Swinburne universities. Latrobe were set to take action on 28 May.
As well, Hawthorn Learning joined the action and the University of Tasmania walked out in what was said to be the first strike there in 20 years.
About 250 marched down from the University of Melbourne.
Download attachment(s): [ Verity Burgmann speech at NTEU Rally ]
Class sizes: they’re just too big!
The message coming back from Masters coursework students at this University is that class sizes of more than 50 students are just too big for a seminar. Do you agree? Come and discuss strategies for reducing our class sizes and increasing the quality of education at this GSA public consultation forum around the topic, ‘Class sizes: they’re just too big!’
Date: Monday 27 April
Time: 5:30 for a 6 pm start
Venue: Gryphon Gallery, Graduate Centre (1888 Building)