Vice-Chancellor urges government to heed past lessons

Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor James McWha
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Monday, 3 November 2008

The University of Adelaide has welcomed the Federal Government's announcement to allow universities to levy a $250 fee from July 2009, but warns that too much government interference could jeopardise potential gains.

Vice-Chancellor and President Professor James McWha said the introduction of Voluntary Student Unionism (VSU) in 2006 had impacted on amenities and services that students had previously enjoyed.

"Over the past three years the University has subsidised essential services so that students have not been disadvantaged to any great extent, but this has meant redirecting revenue from other areas, Professor McWha said.

"This announcement will take the pressure off already stretched university budgets and will also give students the option to defer the fee instead of paying it up front.

"However, the Federal Government should not dictate what services are to be supplied, or use any threat of financial penalties if these are not adhered to.

"We should heed the lessons of the previous government that unsuccessfully tried to micro-manage the higher education sector," he said.

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