VSU
April 24th 2006 14:11
For anybody who doesn’t know VSU stands for Voluntary Student Unionism and it’s a new policy that has been subject to much debate recently. I figured it was important to write a bit about VSU and why its caused such controversy recently.
Reasons why VSU is a good thing.
1.None of us wants to spend $400 or more every year on student/uni fees.
2.People who support VSU claim that it’s a matter of choice and freedom. People should be able to choose where their money goes and on what they want to spend it.
3.The union claims that VSU will take away food subsidies ie discounts, but that’s not really a fair claim since our fees have paid for those discounts anyway.
4.Many claim they don’t want to support ‘radical’ student bodies that don’t represent their views.
Reasons why VSU is a bad thing:
1.The SRC and Union provide many services for disadvantaged students. This includes free legal advice, help with centerlink, counselling and the opportunity for political expression-these services would be under threat under VSU.
2.Student bodies are dominated by the left at the moment, yes-but that makes sense-the right currently controls the country and thus people with that way of thinking are being represented every day. Freedom of speech includes giving the people who disagree with you the right to speak. If politics dosen’t represent/interest you in anyway-it still has the potential to impact you in a very serious way in the future. The SRC gives you the opportunity to speak should this happen.
3.Sure, people should have the right to choose where their money goes. That is a perfectly honourable sentiment but it’s not practical. I may not agree with the Howard government and I may not believe that they represent me in any way. But does that mean I don’t have to pay my taxes? No matter how much I disagree with the government tax money still goes to building roads, maintaining hospitals etc. Things we all need or will potentially use. If we made taxes voluntary nothing would get done, and many of our services wouldn’t exist anymore. The people who would loose the most would be those who don’t have the means to find alternatives.
Guys I’m not trying to advocate a particular view in this context just to provide an overview of the different sides of debate. Tell me what you all think.
Reasons why VSU is a good thing.
1.None of us wants to spend $400 or more every year on student/uni fees.
2.People who support VSU claim that it’s a matter of choice and freedom. People should be able to choose where their money goes and on what they want to spend it.
3.The union claims that VSU will take away food subsidies ie discounts, but that’s not really a fair claim since our fees have paid for those discounts anyway.
4.Many claim they don’t want to support ‘radical’ student bodies that don’t represent their views.
Reasons why VSU is a bad thing:
1.The SRC and Union provide many services for disadvantaged students. This includes free legal advice, help with centerlink, counselling and the opportunity for political expression-these services would be under threat under VSU.
2.Student bodies are dominated by the left at the moment, yes-but that makes sense-the right currently controls the country and thus people with that way of thinking are being represented every day. Freedom of speech includes giving the people who disagree with you the right to speak. If politics dosen’t represent/interest you in anyway-it still has the potential to impact you in a very serious way in the future. The SRC gives you the opportunity to speak should this happen.
3.Sure, people should have the right to choose where their money goes. That is a perfectly honourable sentiment but it’s not practical. I may not agree with the Howard government and I may not believe that they represent me in any way. But does that mean I don’t have to pay my taxes? No matter how much I disagree with the government tax money still goes to building roads, maintaining hospitals etc. Things we all need or will potentially use. If we made taxes voluntary nothing would get done, and many of our services wouldn’t exist anymore. The people who would loose the most would be those who don’t have the means to find alternatives.
Guys I’m not trying to advocate a particular view in this context just to provide an overview of the different sides of debate. Tell me what you all think.
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David Jobling
Comment by Trina
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Comment by Stanley
VSU is just another one of those things as mentioned by Sara which provides for essential services for not only disadvantaged uni students, but ALL uni students, like health and legal services. Sure, a lot of money does get pissed away by student bodies but we’re being rorted throughout society anyway but no one is demanding that the culture of government be fundamentally changed. AWB, anyone?
Also, I don’t buy into the student politics is dominated by the left thing, because I feel that most students who are part of the student government are centre-left at best, and if they considered themselves Labor students they’d be from the right wing of the party.
Anyway, someone will probably attempt to punch holes into my argument but this is a democratic space so anyone is welcome to air their thoughts and opinions. That’s my 5 cents.
Comment by Sara
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Comment by Glen
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I've probably used a union service 3 times at most, but if I have to give an upfront fee I'd rather give it to someone representing the students.
Make It Reggae
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Comment by amy
But you shouldn't be afraid to state your own views, after you've edumacated us on the options. Nobody can pretend they're objective.
It's your site - get amongst it! =)
Comment by Sara
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