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Salient. Victoria University Student Newspaper. Volume 39, Number 17, July 19, 1976.

The Money — Case Study of a Poor Student (Kathy Rose)

page 4

The Money

Case Study of a Poor Student (Kathy Rose)

Are you on a bursary?

No.

Why don't you qualify?

I don't have U.E.

Did you get Special Admission to come to University?

Yes.

What year are you?

This is my first year.

How many units did you enrol in?

I enrolled in 3 but had to drop one. I couldn't keep up with the course because I had to work.

Did you have any money when you started varsity?

No. I had to borrow the $10 Special Admission fee.

At the beginning of the year how many hours a week did you work?

15 hours a week, 6-9 every morning.

Did any course in particular cause you workload problems.

It wasn't so much the workload but for Psych I had to learn the basics before I could understand what we were doing.

What did this mean?

I was really worried about it at the time. It was a dreadful decision. I knew that I had to pass at least 2 units to qualify for a bursary next year so I couldn't afford to spend too much time trying to keep up my Psych 1.

Photo of Kathy Rose

Did it occur to you?

No because I knew what the problem was and what I had to do about it.

Did you try and get some sort of financial assistance from the University?

No. I couldn't qualify because I haven't U.E. I could have applied for a grant from the Maori Education foundation but I didn't like to because I felt there were more needy cases than me.

Did you see an academic advisor?

No.

When did you drop Psych?

At the beginning of June.

Are you still working 15 hours a week?

No, I'm working 30 hours a week now that exams are over because I've got bills to pay down at the book shop. I got laid off at the morning job and now I have to work 4 nights a week for 7 hours a night.

Why did you get laid off?

I became redundant.

Have you got any other debts?

Yes, personal debts to friends.

When do you think you'll have paid them off?

Should be able to pay them soon now that I'm working 30 hours a week. Then I can start bying myself some of the many things I need - like a raincoat.

My room is cold and I can't afford any curtains. I've got no carpet and a borrowed heater.

Do you feel you can live a full varsity life?

No, I can't go out at night because I work. I can't afford to buy clothes or even all the books I need for my varsity courses. Because I work 30 hours a week I get more than I would if I was on a full bursary - so I can't see how even those students manage.

What changes would you like to see in the bursary system?

I think that Special Admission Students should qualify for the STB. In fact I think all students should get a large enough bursary so they can devote the necessary time to their varsity work.

Will you be marching on Friday?

Yes, because its the only way us students can show the Government how we feel on the issue.