Students Association Fees

I am a part time student and have just paid out almost 40 dollars in fees for the third year. In the past, in common with most par timers, that expenditure is wasted as I do not have the time to enjoy the student facilities or indeed participate in the activities. I am sure that a survey would reveal that there are few part timers who get value for money. It seems to me as a point of principle that there should be a rate set for the part time student that recognises the different circumstances to those of the full time student.

In these days of student poverty it is surely time that the fee, and what all students get for it, was looked at. I would like to suggest a few areas in which savings could be made. Firstly, make Salient a self supporting newspaper. If students paid for the paper we may then see more articles of real concern to the students such as employment, passing examinations, etc., rather than the political rubbish that fills the paper at the moment. Secondly, cease supporting the parasites at the NZUSA. This bunch of people, who seem to the left of Stalin, are far more concerned for students in other countries (always the non-communist countries) than they seem to be for their own countrymen. What is required is a representation that can put a balanced view to the Government and the country which would benefit the Victoria students as a whole. Why not follow the lead of the students down south and withdraw from NZUSA. I am sure that there are many ways in which savings could be made if the will was there.

Come on you executive members, how about looking at fees as a whole and, the part timers fees in particular, before someone challenges the legality of the University collecting the fees as the Melbourne students did so successfully last year.