VCA students and staff reject up-front fees

By Sue Boland

MELBOURNE -- At separate meetings on July 23, Victorian College of the Arts students and staff unanimously rejected the college council's attempt to introduce up-front fees for undergraduate students.

Motions passed at the student meeting called for: up-front fees for undergraduates to be withdrawn from the review consultancy team by July 27; the VCA director, Andrea Hull, to draft a long-term policy which states firmly and publicly VCA opposition to up-front fees by July 27; and committed students to take “severe action” should the director not agree to these requests.

“This is a further indication that the VCA community is furious”, said Kylie Wilkinson, the student union education officer. “Up-front fees for undergraduates would be a breach of the college's own mission statement of providing an accessible place for students of talent to train ... The director must listen to the students and staff, who remain opposed to fees in principle.”

The director's response to the students' demands will be read to a public meeting at the college on July 27. The VCA council will consider a recommendation to introduce up-front fees for undergraduates on July 30.

To support the campaign, contact the VCA student union on 9682 1123 or 0417 535 551.

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