Education

Student politics at a national level seem to suffer from the same bugbear that hits Exec members on campus (ie as soon as their members feel removed from the centre of information and activity then the National officers like Exec members lose all credibility and move along the same 'circular path to nowhere').

This is the central problem with which each Commission had to contend. And perhaps it would be fair to say that a confrontation to this problem was made in the Education Commission.

At long last it would appear that something is actually beginning to happen on the assessment front. A number of proposals were endorsed which are designed not only to encourage closet cooperation and coordination between NZUSA central office and its constituents (a major criticism in the past) but also between the various campuses.

These measures include the establishment of a National Education Action Committee, consisting of all constituent education officers. Its functions would be to coordinate campus activities: ensure continuous development of initiatives made by Councils in policy they set down; and generally to facilitate the sharing of information personally and informally.

Another important measure was that of the establishment of a resource centre with education resources the priority for organisation. This would mean that knowledge and resources could be gained easily and speedily.

Proposals were also made in regard to a National assessment week with tentative dates being from the 26th July to 30th. Activities centred round this week would include forums, guest speakers and general educative articles and posters.

Further policy developments were made in the areas of Maori and Polynesian education. Whether any action will occur on these policies in the immeidate future is highly de bateable, especially when considering the traditional record of neglect in these areas.

These measures included the urging of New Zealand Universities to establish minimum quotas for the admission of Polynesian students to all courses with restricted entry. Support was also given to the extension of Maori/Polynesian preference schemes and the encouragement of widespread advertising of existing schemes.

One of the key motions to come up was that of a recommendation for each campus to research the University cuts in finance. It was felt that this could he used as an excuse to severely restrict courses and enrolments. This is evidenced in a recent VUW arts faculty meeting where it was stressed that departments should be taking a critical look at superfluous courses and cutting back.

Bursaries were of course one of (Inmost importent priorities. It was felt that the present anomalies and inconsistencies in the Standard Teriary Bursary called for an immediate representation to Government and an immediate campaign.

We wil be asking for an immediate increase in the unabated rate of a STB for cost increases from the December quarter of 1975; for the payment of fees for PhD candidates and granting of a STB for all doctoral students not on a UGC Scholarship and the removal of the abatement.

This campaign would include massive publicity, intensive lobbying of Government back-benchers, mass meetings on campuses with national officers and a national demonstration being organised with the tentative date of 16th July.

The discrepancies between the policy formulation of NZUSA and the actioning of that policy are in some way to being resolved. However, without the support of every student these proposals will remain worthless scraps of paper.

Bearing this in mind there is an assessment meeting on Tuesday. 25 in the Boardroom, 12-2pm.

Lindy Cassidy.