UTS: Newsroom

We asked staff and students for their opinions on how Rudd's tertiary reform and abolishment of domestic full-fee paying places will affect universities and students at UTS. Here's what they said:
4 Aug 2008

Steve Marsh, Faculty Manager, Executive Support

“The previous government had a ‘user-pays’ philosophy. Universities were required to work under reduced public funding and students received less financial and ideological support, plus faced increased debt and stress over education cost. The new government and its philosophies will change the way tertiary education is viewed and the importance placed on future funding. Rudd’s abolition of domestic full-fee paying places, so long as it’s replaced with adequate alternative funding, is a welcome change. Any help for students in reducing the costs of tertiary education and reducing long term debt is positive. The $11 billion higher education endowment fund will be used for capital spending in universities as well as in research facilities. For UTS, this could help exciting future campus developments and assist in a push towards greater research capacity. For students, improved learning environments can only be a plus.”
4 Aug 2008

Alex McNee, Student, Bachelor of Business

“By abolishing domestic fee places, students who relied on these slightly lower UAI places may miss out on the opportunity to go to their preferred university. Many students that I encounter are dismayed that this option will no longer be available to them. From a current student’s perspective, the loss in revenue for the university will surely mean cuts to crucial services currently provided, as it seems unlikely that the current Labour government will make up this loss in revenue through funding and support schemes. So who wins from this change? Currently, I'm not sure.”
4 Aug 2008

Tony Reed, Director, Student Administration Unit

“It’s definitely a step in the right direction and will go some way to overcoming the endemic shortfall of funding to the university sector. There are still some unknowns, especially since the scope has increased to include funding for TAFE, but overall it is a very positive outcome for higher education and provides a vehicle for significant infrastructure investment in the future."
4 Aug 2008

Eimear Elkington, Student, Bachelor of Arts in Communication

“I think Rudd's reform will help reverse some of the privatisation of universities and promote the practice of admitting students based on their academic achievement rather than their financial wealth. It will affect how universities admit students, and in my opinion this is good because tertiary education admittance should be meritocratic; based on academic accomplishment rather than financial wealth. Letting students into courses who don't have the grades, but do have the money, devalues the merit and prestige of universities and just further reinforces in education the class hierarchies we already see in wider society.”
4 Aug 2008

Boris Skopelja, Student, Bachelor of Engineering

“I don’t have a problem with domestic full-fee paying students so long as they’re not taking places away from high achievers. If people are getting a UAI in the top end, like in the 90s and above, and they’re still missing out on a place at uni, then it’s not fair. I didn’t get a particularly high UAI, so I am very lucky that I could come to a university like UTS. Hopefully the education fund will also help students where they need it most and cut back on the amount we pay for education.”
4 Aug 2008

Susan Long, Student, Bachelor of Design

“I guess if students don’t have the option of buying their way through university it will provide more places for those who really deserve it and who have worked hard to get a place. Then again, there is so much pressure put on high school students already that it will make their life very stressful. It also means that those students who aren't great at exams but are still intelligent enough won’t have any back-up options, which isn't that great.”
4 Aug 2008

Lisa Andersen, Community Engagement Coordinator, Shopfront

“After the 2020 Summit wrap-up, Shopfront was asked to comment on Rudd’s idea of community corps, where people could reduce their HECS-HELP debt through community volunteering. My concerns are that any program developed should be careful about poaching entry level, community sector jobs from recent graduates (especially UTS graduates!) or reducing opportunities for existing employees and volunteers. And, not everyone motivated to reduce a HECS-HELP debt would bring the attitude and commitment to what is, after all, pretty important work.”
4 Aug 2008

James Bui, Student, Bachelor of Science

“The previous government’s domestic full-fee paying places are unfair. It’s good that Rudd has abolished them. Recognition should be given to people who work hard and achieve the goals they set themselves. And let’s face it, what mark you got for your HSC doesn’t really carry any weight once you’re in and studying at university, it’s all about proving yourself and taking the opportunities that present themselves – and now there may be more opportunities given the new importance placed on investing in tertiary education.”
4 Aug 2008

Emma Lancaster, President UTS Students’ Association

“UTS Students’ Association was relieved the government finally responded to our campaign to abolish undergraduate full-fee degrees. Students getting into university based on the size of their bank balance is plainly unfair and does not equate to an accessible education system. Entry should be based on merit. Similarly, expanding the endowment fund and providing renewal funding addresses the infrastructure problems plaguing our universities. But the government is too concerned with building nice, new buildings and not concerned enough with what goes on in them. Stop building and start teaching!”
4 Aug 2008

Emma Lovell, student, Bachelor of Business

“I play sport and take part in UTS club activities and the extra funding will encourage more students to get involved in university life. More money should mean more opportunities. University has become so expensive for young people. Even with loans there are still the books, eating, and generally being part of uni life. It all hits our pockets hard. It’s scary to face a $20 000-plus debt at the end. It will be interesting to see if the funds go to the areas in which they are needed.”
4 Aug 2008