MUSSE

The University of Melbourne has welcomed the Federal Government’s decision to again allow universities to collect an amenities and services fee to provide much-needed funding for essential services of benefit to all students.

By Christina Buckridge

From I July 2009, universities can choose to set an amenities and services fee capped at $250 per student a year. Students can defer the payment, as the government is providing an income-contingent loan to help students.

Since the introduction of the voluntary student union (VSU) legislation in 2006, the University of Melbourne has had to find around $5 million a year to support affected amenities and services.  The VSU legislation prevented Australian universities collecting non-academic fees from their students.

Melbourne Vice-Chancellor Professor Glyn Davis said that the University of Melbourne will move to introduce the amenities and services fee for Semester 2, 2009.  The level of the fee will be set by the University Council after consultation with students.

Professor Davis also welcomed the extension of the mandate on providing information on student services to all students – not just international students, as now required under the Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) Act – and protocols to ensure basic services and representation on campus for students are secured.

“If Australia’s universities are to be world-class universities they must have world-class student facilities to match the quality of their teaching and research.  This is particularly important if we are to continue to attract excellent international students to our universities.

“The university experience is broader than just that received in the classroom. Today’s universities provide services around housing, part-time and permanent employment, counselling, health, financial aid, child care, and academic support.  But they also provide sporting facilities and access to a wide range of clubs and societies to allow students to gain a range of additional skills and competencies.”

At Melbourne, the new student amenities and services fee will also allow the Melbourne University Student Union Limited, the University of Melbourne Postgraduate Association, and Melbourne University Sport (MUSport) to provide quality facilities for the student community.

“The new amenities and services fee means we will be able to rebuild these essential non-academic student services provided by the University, its auxiliary operations, controlled entities, and affiliated student organisations,” Professor Davis said.