SCU students' victory over up-front fee
By Bernie Wunsch
LISMORE — On May 9, Southern Cross University (SCU) Council gave in to student pressure and dropped the newly introduced $18 up-front fee. The Education Action Group (EAG) had organised a boycott of the fee for the last four months. Hundreds of students boycotted the fee despite threats of academic sanctions and cancellation of their enrollment.
The fee was the first undergraduate fee at SCU and was billed to students as an "administration/late" fee on enrollment.
The EAG produced "refusal to pay" slips and distributed information throughout the university, in the student newspaper and in the local media. The administration then sent letters to every student who had not paid, warning them of the potential consequences.
In the first week of semester, a rally was organised at which more than 1500 signatures were presented to the vice-chancellor demanding that the fee be scrapped. In the last month, the student campaign increased the pressure on the vice-chancellor.
SCU education officer Brad Cleary said that the university management "did not expect such opposition". "It was evident from the start that this fee was unjustified and set a dangerous precedent. While the fee charged was small, we opposed it on principle because we believe in free education. This victory is an important example of how students can fight for their rights."
"I am so proud of my fellow EAG comrades and the students who stood up for themselves and for education", Cleary added. "Despite the dirty tactics and the threats used against us, we never gave up and our persistence and creativity has been rewarded."