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President

Last week 5 students approached me to obtain urgent loans to tide them over until they could get part-time employment. One of these students had reached the stage where she was going to leave university at the end of the week if part-time work was unavailable. Three of the students were not recieving any bursary assistance, while the other two were flatting and recieving the generous sum of $15.00 per week.

When handing out bursary leaflets I have occasionally come across the comment that any person who wants to can attend University if s/he works and saves hard enough. Two years ago! would have agreed with this comment. But, as the economic situation continues to deteriorate it is no longer possible to supplement in inadequate bursaries allowance. Though the real value of the bursary has been eroded by inflation the Government has not correspondingly increased the level of allowances. Many of the glaring anomalies have not been removed and a large proportion of students do not recive any bursary assistance.

Most students manage to financially struggle through University but a proportion give up and drop out. This proportion is growing significantly as unemployment increases and the real value of the bursary decreases. As most of you are aware, this year is the annual party bun-fight, that is, general elections. It is up to us to put a convincing case for student allowances before the public and to pressurize the parties into election promises that they cannot back out of.

However, we can only do this if students put a lot of time and energy behind the bursaries activities arranged by the Students Association.

If you think University education should be available to those that want it, not just to those that can afford it, then join in the bursary activities coming up this week.

Lindy Cassidy