The bigger issue is really the Student Services levy increase from $251 to $510. That is a huge increase. And what kind of services do we get for that kind of money? Here's a little breakdown:
Accomodation services-
We pay a couple of full time staff to man this office. I actually went there once to see if they had any flats available. Not particularly helpful really, although they did have a few ads on a notice board. I know how we could save a few $! Replace the office with a notice board!
Career Development and Employment
Perhaps this one would be worth keeping; I can't say I've been yet, but I know of some people who have got good jobs out of it.Councilling Services
2 Questions:
1. How many students need councilling at Vic and end up getting it? (I hear they're understaffed and will only talk to you if you're suicidal)
2. Why should I have to pay for it? I am a starving student after all.
Creche
Again, a very helpful service- But why should I have to pay for it? I don't plan on having kiddies for a very long time, I really shouldn't be subsidizing someone else's.
Disability Services
This is a pretty good department, which isn't costing us too much cos it's run by volunteers, so I'll leave it alone.
Financial Support and Advice – and the Hardship Fund
Yup, students need financial help and budgeting adviceKaiwawao Maori / Maori Student Services Adviser
Again, I understand that Maori students statistically need a bit more help to get on top of Uni work, but at the risk of sounding un-PC why do I need to pay for it?Manaaki Pihipihinga Programme
Same as above, but this one's for pacific island students. Should I be paying for this service? I think not.Student Learning Support
Perhaps only justifiable on the grounds that our secondary schools are sending kids to Uni without having taught them to write a proper essay. Should I have to pay for this service? Again, no.Overall I see a huge waste of my money going on. They also use it to print out waaaay too many pamphlets and stuff that handed out and thrown out. What a waste.
Judging by that last post you have been reading too many right-wing blogs Kirstin.
ReplyDeleteRegarding your 'Councilling Services' comment, it is important to point out that the years at university can be a very hard time in a young person's life. Councilling may be necessary to prevent suiside. Why are you so willing to pay for disability services and not councilling services when the need is real for both. If the facility is understaffed it probably means that MORE funding is required. Think about it; If you were responsible for a funding cut to this service and someone commited suiside as a result, it would be YOUR fault.
It is the resposibility of a community to look after its weakest members. A councilling service is one way to do this.
My differentiation between DSS and the counseling service is based on the fact that one is run by volunteers and one is not. Therefore one is costing me money and one is not. As to your suggestion that I would be responsible for a suicide in the absence of a Vic specific counseling service, it's a stretch. The fact that I have less money and my loan is larger stresses me too...
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