University male-dominated

Criticism has been levelled at the Students Association for not providing a feasible free creche. The criticism is valid in that students who are parents cannot make full use of the student union facilities that their association fees entitle them to, due to lack of creche facilities. However the mistake should not be made that it is the responsibility of the students to finance a creche within this university. The responsibility must come back to the university as a whole.

One suspects that the lack of sympathy for the need for child care centres stems in part from the male of the species who traditionally has never had to accept responsibility for the raising of children, and doesn't see why he should suddenly have to accept it now. It is unfortunate that most of the positions of responsibility in the university are held by men. However, the more creches and child-care centres are available, the more women will be able to acquire higher qualifications which will in turn enable them to pursue higher positions of responsibility in society.

At present there are two vacant houses on Kelburn Parade (numbers 26 and 28) which are to be demolished eventually to make way way for the huge Von Zedlitz building. With the roll dropping, at this university it is obvious that the Von Zedlitz will be a wasteful and extravagant monstrosity if built. In the meanwhile 26 and 28 Kelburn Parade remain vacant in premature anticipation of the Von Zedlitz building. At least one of these vacant houses could be used as an extension of or alternative to the Memorial Theatre Foyer creche. The Assistant Principal of the university has been approached by two members of the executive as to the possible use of these houses for a creche but we have been fobbed off with the excuse that there are other 'more pressing' academic priorities, in the allocation of space.

The matter will be raised at a university council meeting on May 27. The students must consider whether or not they want a university that serves only the interests of academy which serves ultimately the profit motive in society at large, or whether it wants a university in tune to the pressing human needs of its students.

In pressing for a feasible free creche in the university and for free creches in the community at large, students can combat the omnipresent profit motive of our economy that coerces human beings into oppressive roles and has no regard for their real needs.

If 26 and 28 Kelburn Parade were made available as alternative premises for the creche that is now operating in the theatre foyer, extra finance will be necessary to cover increased running costs if the hours are extended. The university must be confronted. So far this year the university has made it known that more association money should be used to finance the university welfare services. This is an evasion of the university's responsibilities. The creche issue will enable this conflict to be exposed.

An all embracing Creche Forum will take place at 1pm this coming Monday (May 27) in the Union Hall to promote and determine student action. As many people (and children) as possible must come. An exciting mass adjournment to the University Council Conference will follow. Students must take a positive and concerned stand on such a symbolic and comprehensive matter.