Hello all, Below is the media release issued by NUS on behalf of the Monash University Gippsland Student Union (MUGSU). They would have liked to have sent it themselves, however because Monash Uni has stolen all of their equipment, this was simply not possible. It is critical that people get behind this cause, as this is a fine example of a right wing university doing the work of a right wing government. For more info, contact Jenny Farrar, Monash Gippsland President, on 019 432 445. Please fax messages of support to the Student Union via: (03) 9905 4178 Please fax messages of condemnation to: Prof John Anderson, Gippsland Campus Director on:(03) 9902 6203 or better still, phone him at work on (03) 5122 6211 or at home on (03) 5122 3443 In support of Student Control of Student Affairs, Trent McCarthy MONASH MOVE TO SMASH STUDENT UNION Attention: Media Director - 26 March 1999 - For immediate release At 2:30 pm yesterday Monash University ceased funding the Monash University Gippsland Student Union Incorporated (MUGSU Inc). This is despite the fact that MUGSU had signed off on a funding agreement from the university. This money was earmarked for the provision of essential services and activities as directed by the student body. Monash University claims that these services will now be adequately provided by a newly formed Monash University department, Student Amenities and Services Unit. This department has no elected student representation and will provide "pocket money" to MUGSU for student representation until 30 September. This move has ripped the heart out of the autonomy of student representation and the continuation of essential services. President of Monash University Gippsland Student Union, Ms Jenny Farrar said, "Monash University Gippsland Student Union Inc has existed in one form or another for the past thirty years and is an essential component of campus culture providing the necessary link between the University and the local community. It has always been run by the students for the students and the community. By this action Monash University has unilaterally removed the right of students to have a say in the operations of these services and activities." Monash University has imposed limited access to the premises and hampered access to important files and MUGSU owned assets. "It is not hard to see that Federal Voluntary Student Unionism and the actions of Monash University are linked both in the timing and in the spirit of smashing student unionism. Without a Gippsland Student Union with the ability to control student affairs for students, quality of education and life for students at Monash Gippsland shall suffer," said Ms Farrar. Mr Stephen Donnelly ,President of the National Union of Students (Victoria) said, "This act by Monash University is appalling. Students around the country will oppose this move by the University to restrict a Student Union from providing necessary services and benefits. This clearly highlights the effect Victorian style VSU is having on Victorian campus student organisations, it basically holds the Student movement at gunpoint and we have do as we are told. Clearly whether Federal or State based VSU is bad for Students." Ms Fiona Darwin, Convenor of Monash University Federated Student Organisation (MUFSO) said, "This is typical of Monash University and its relations with staff and students. They are doing a back-flip on their own council resolution about the importance of Student Unions." Contact Numbers: Jenny Farrar Stephen Donnelly Fiona Darwin President MUGSU President NUS Vic Convenor MUFSO 019 432 445 0411 469 573 0414 494 485 === Trent McCarthy Welfare/Small &/or Regional Officer NUS Victoria ph: (03) 9663 0500 fax: (03) 9663 0084 mob: 0414 885 380 [EMAIL PROTECTED] _________________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Get your free @yahoo.com address at http://mail.yahoo.com Leftlink - Australia's Broad Left Mailing List mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.alexia.net.au/~www/mhutton/index.html Sponsored by Melbourne's New International Bookshop Subscribe: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?Body=subscribe%20leftlink Unsubscribe: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?Body=unsubscribe%20leftlink
