By Kylie Moon
BANKSTOWN — On October 27, the students association at the University of Western Sydney (UWS) Macarthur Bankstown campus organised a rally as part of a campaign around a student log of claims.
A rally of 300 students on October 20 presented deputy vice-chancellor David Barr with their demands.
Barr was requested to attend the rally a week later to present a response. When Barr did not show up, 100 students occupied the Student Services Office. Students have refused to leave the building until all their demands have been met.
Issues
The university is claiming that it cannot fund the demands because of government funding cuts. However, students are calling for the university to cut perks and non-academic spending, including a $750,000 new senior executive office suite; a new $50,000 four wheel drive for the financial services director; and the university's advertising and PR budgets.
There is a plan to shed around 40 staff from the Campbelltown and Bankstown campuses, despite the latest faculty budgets revealing a better financial situation than originally projected.
Courses are also being cut. The first on the chopping block are the less "profitable" community-based courses, like social welfare, youth work and adult education.
The occupation is demanding increased consultation with staff and students over a new restructuring proposal to merge all UWS campuses. Students have vowed to oppose any restructuring which involves further course or staff cuts. Students are organising a cross-campus activist network, Westie Net, to step up this campaign.
Support
Protesters have been building support for the occupation through further lunchtime rallies, leafleting and speaking to lectures at Bankstown and at Campbelltown campus and the nearby high school. The occupation has continued to attract more students.
On the first day, students separated into working collectives to organise media liaison, building support on campus and in the community, entertainment, bedding and food. At least two meetings a day are held to organise and plan the next steps.
Support for the occupation has been coming in from student unions, trade unions and the community. Greens MLC Lee Rhiannon has raised the issue in NSW parliament. The Reclaim the Night rally in Parramatta gave full support to the occupation's demands for increased security and safety on campus.
The National Tertiary Education Industry Union has directed its members not to penalise students for participating in the occupation. Many staff have given active support.
The occupation has been very successful, given that most students are preparing for final year exams and assessments. Important factors have been the strength of the Education Action Collective at Bankstown, the broadness of the demands and the focus on getting large numbers of new people involved.
Student demands included:
Quality education: no tutorial sizes larger than 15; no staff cuts; no internet teaching as a replacement for face-to-face learning; the university administration should fight funding cuts and support student actions.
Ancillary fees: no car park fee; no fee for documents from the student learning centre; a guarantee of no late fines for library borrowing; timetables and other necessities should be posted without cost to students; and no fee for course/subject outlines.
Consultation: no decisions to be made without student and staff consultation; and 50% of university councils and committees to be students.
Safety: more female security guards and more security guards in general; more safety points; and more lighting.
Computer labs: a guarantee of free draft printing; and 24-hour access to be re-established.
Other: condom vending machines in both male and female toilets; tampon and pad vending machines in female toilets; and safe needle disposal facilities.