Confusion Rife Among Students

But students may be too confused to worry. Vic.

(and other universities) put out a guide to the Standard Tertiary Bursary. This was prepared before the election and consequently had outdated information on A' and B' bursaries, which may well have confused many students.

Even worse than this was to come, again through no fault of the University. The Education Department changed its position on fees bursaries half way through enrolment They then produced 'Notes for Bursary Applicants'. This arrived at Victoria on 3 March, after everyone had finished enrolling, and there's still no indication that it is correct in every detail.

The same goes for the Government. Les Gandar, has made various mumblings which are various respects contradictory. He told the Vice Chancellors' Committee on 8 January that the new bursary would be substantially the same but a review was going on. On 21 January - a press statement, in which there was no mention of this review. If the same regulations are being used why are they taking so long to come out? Present rumours suggest anything between 3 and 6 months before something legal happens.

The most ominous cloud on the horizon is the prize Muldoon is offering to the Minister who can cut down his Department's expenditure the most. With a barrage of 'sharing the burden' and 'tightening everyone's belt' in May there's a possibility the Standard Tertiary Bursary, or significant parts of it (eg the 'A' and 'B' bursaries) could be abolished, despite repeated promises to the contrary.

The university is caught in the middle. To pay out bursaries the university needs money and legal authority. At the moment is has neither.