By Marcel Cameron
MELBOURNE — Students enrolled in the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology's Bachelor of Social Science (Psych-Environmental Assessment and Policy) (SEAP) are fighting to save their course from extinction, as university management attempts to dissolve the Department of Landscape, Environment and Planning.
The department has already had its budget cut by $430,000 and lost eight full-time staff. Now the faculty's dean has announced another review to implement further cuts. This prompted the resignation last week of department head Leonie Sandercock.
Two hundred students met with the dean to demand an end to the restructuring and that the courses be maintained. Planning students are also concerned that their qualifications may no longer be recognised by professional associations.
For SEAP students who enrolled in 1996 and 1997, the course bears little resemblance to its description in the course guide. Third year SEAP student Kylie Trubridge told Green Left Weekly that core subjects such as Radical Ecological Thought and Sustainable Environments had been abolished.
The restructuring of university departments to cut budgets and staffing levels has had a severe impact on the few remaining courses which seek to develop a critical understanding of society and the environment crisis. Such courses are not likely to attract corporate funding.
Hundreds of leaflets have been distributed informing other students and staff, while former SEAP students and parents have pledged their support for the campaign. SEAP students are organising a contingent in the April 1 rally and march against fees, cuts and the privatisation of education.
The dean has already made some concessions to student demands. However, a draft agreement between the dean and student representatives notes: "The Faculty does not anticipate being subjected to further staff and budget cuts in the 1998-1999-2000 triennium, but cannot guarantee against factors external to the faculty."