Leigh Hughes, Adelaide
Thirty years after the month-long occupation of Flinders University in 1974, students have used the tactic to force their administration to consult better over fee increases.
Vice Chancellor Anne Edwards is planning to increase HECS fees on students by 25% for 2005, but has now agreed to delay the decision.
The occupation followed a protest of 200 students, who marched to the Registry building and pushed their way through campus security to occupy the university's council and senate chambers.
As the occupation entered its 22nd hour, the students succeeded in forcing Edwards to agree to their demands of greater student consultation and a delay of any decision on fee increases from the Easter holidays, to term time when students would be able to attend.
Edwards had initially refused to negotiate, but changed her mind when it became clear the students had considerable public support.
The students also got the VC to agree to; provide detailed information about the university's situation in 2005, and the 2-3 years beyond that, in relation to funding that supports our educational courses; explain to student representatives the apparent unspent $14m from the 2003 end of financial year accounts; discuss a process for further consultation with the Students Association.
"The vice chancellor refused to consult with students about the fee increases and gave us no choice but to stall debate until students know the facts", National Union of Students South Australian education officer Robert Simms said.
A statement released by the occupiers said, "As we were not consulted democratically about this decision we felt direct action was our only option".
"I think it shows that direct action works", said Kegan Daly, the Students' Association's education officer, "and that an activist campaign with realistic demands can hit a nerve".
Messages of support from other campuses flowed in to the occupation. Students at the University of Wollongong walked out of class, pledging to occupy their own administration if fee increases were attempted.
"This sends a signal to other campuses", said Simms, "that we can do it. That if vice chancellors won't listen, we can make them ... They won't be able to increase fees without a fight"
When Edwards conceded to the occupations' demands, the students marched out to join supporters gathered outside. A rally against the fees and celebrating the victory was held at 1pm, an hour later.
Commenting on the campaign, Daly said, "If you put in the hard yards, day in, day out, you get results. With a bigger campaign, with 2000 students instead of 200, you can just imagine what we can achieve. Now activists have to be educating people and giving them opportunities to exercise their own power as human beings."
Simms agrees: "We've won the battle, but we haven't yet won the war."
From Â鶹´«Ã½ Weekly, March 24, 2004.
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