BY JEREMY SMITH

BALLARAT — On May 7, the University of Ballarat council passed a motion to phase out the Bachelor of Arts (Theatre Production), threatening the employment of three production lecturers.

Only four such courses exist in higher education in Australia, and only two are in Victoria. The rationale cited by the council for the course closure is low student enrolments.

Students and staff have begun a campaign to pressure the university council to rescind the decision. The National Tertiary Education Industry Union immediately called a meeting of its members and notified the university administration of a dispute over the lack of consultation over the closure.

Students in the course, along with other arts students at Ballarat University, organised a silent, but attention grabbing protest at the May 13 graduation ceremony.

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From Green Left Weekly, May 21, 2003.
Visit the Green Left Weekly home page.

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