By Marcel Cameron

MELBOURNE -- Activists are celebrating an encouraging turnout of students and staff for the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) referendum on up-front fees.

More than 10,000 students and staff voted on whether they agreed with the decision to introduce full fees for some undergraduates in 1998. The State Electoral Commission, which conducted the referendum, had to double staff numbers to cope.

Throughout the week the offices of the Student Union were a hive of activity. Students printed thousands of leaflets and stickers. Special t-shirts, balloons, badges and banners helped create a highly visible campaign. A broadsheet outlining the history of attacks on free education was widely distributed. Students addressed classes to encourage others to vote.

“It was an overwhelming response. The massive support for the campaign is reflected in the large voter turnout”, said Mandi Scott, RMIT Student Union welfare and education officer. Many of the people who campaigned hard had first become active during last month's 19-day occupation of Kay House. The vice-chancellor conceded to the referendum during negotiations to end the occupation.

The referendum was postponed for two weeks to allow the RMIT Student Union and the university administration to reach final agreement on the format of the referendum. VC David Beanland proposed a postal ballot. The Student Union argued that this was unacceptable because it restricted the ability of students to run an effective campaign against fees. A compromise was reached to allow voters to deposit their ballot at a polling booth, or send in a postal vote.

Meanwhile, activists are organising a rally of students and staff at 4pm on October 20 outside the university council meeting which will re-visit the decision to introduce up-front fees. While the VC must table the results of the referendum, the referendum is not binding on the university council. A large rally will reinforce student and staff opposition to fees.

The rally will be held outside Building 1, RMIT City Campus. The Student Union's welfare and education collective meets every Thursday at 1.30pm, in the Student Union Lounge, Building 8 Level 2. All students are welcome.

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