Government announcement provides no long term solution to UWS’s funding problems
22 September 2004
The announcement by Prime Minister Howard of additional funding to the University of Western Sydney (UWS) is a piece of election pork barrelling that will provide no real long-term solution to the financial problems facing the institution, the Union representing over 1000 UWS staff said on Tuesday.
“The Government’s funding package will provide some help for classroom and laboratory infrastructure and for this the National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU) welcomes the additional expenditure” said Dr Carolyn Allport, NTEU President.
“However, it will do little to solve the serious ongoing financial challenges facing the University.”
“These challenges are due in large part to the Government’s higher education reforms.”
“Firstly, it does very badly out of the new university funding system introduced as part of the Government’s radical higher education changes, because of the particular mix of subjects that are taught at the University.”
“Secondly, there are not enough university places for the institution in an area experiencing a major growth in demand for higher education. Approximately 2500 capable students missed out on a place at UWS in 2004.
“UWS has already had to axe a number of its programmes including new intakes for Aviation and Indonesian Studies programmes from 2005, as well as large reduction in clinical and field placements.”
UWS staff also expressed concern over the short-term nature of the Government’s announcement.
“UWS staff are already working longer and longer hours and teaching larger and larger classes. The institution has one of the highest ratios of students to staff in the country.
Instead of providing short-term expenditure fixes the Government needs immediately to deal with the real problems facing UWS staff,” said Dr Allport.
As part of its ongoing campaign in the lead up to October 9, NTEU members will be holding their first street stall on Thursday 23 September commencing at 7:00am in Church Street mall, opposite Parramatta Town Hall. The stall is one of many activities being undertaken by the Union aimed at publicising the higher education issues facing the people of Parramatta.
Dr Allport will be in the Parramatta electorate and available for media comment on Wednesday 22 and Thursday 23 September, and will be joining UWS staff on the stall on Thursday morning.
For Interview and Comment Contact:
Dr Carolyn Allport, NTEU National President: 0419 349 064
Andrew Nette, NTEU Policy and Research Coordinator: 0438 026277