I am writing to seek your support for what may possibly result in an occupation at VUT St Albans on Monday 29th April. Such action will be a result of the student union offices being demolished and relocated without adequate or ongoing consultation with all students. Queers, muslims, and disabled students are among those who were most excluded from the 'consultation' process.
As discussed last Saturday (13Apr02), please find attached the Staff Plan for Bldg 4 at StAlbans; the Student Precinct Plan and the document the Uni is using as 'approval' for it's progress on this matter. You will note that the agreement was mainly regarding a Cafe in Bldg9 rather than that now in Bldg 4. At no time until March this year were any of the elected student representatives made aware of or were privy to the specifics of the Staff Plan in its entirety, attached. This plan was approved by the Tender Board and contracted out within the past month. Works are due to commence within the next fortnight! After attendance at the March VUSU Exec Mtg, the VTSAN President, fired off the following email which resulted in the VUSU President being carpeted by the VU delegated authority, Michael HAMERSTON. The staff plan has made no provision for the replacement of the general student lounge or queer space. Nor does it provide for the International Student Association or the muslim prayer room. Date: Wed, 03 Apr 2002 03:18:42 +1000 Subject: Student's democratic rights trampled at VUT St Albans! From: VTSANPre <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, . . . . . Victoria University of Technology Deputy Vice Chancellor of TAFE Michael Halmerstone CC: Equal Opportunity Commission Minister for Education Lynne Kosky Australian Education Union National Tertiary Education Union National Union of Students Queer Officers Media representatives Dear Michael, I am writing with great concern at the proposed redevelopment of Building 4 on St Albans campus. I understand the student union offices are being converted into a restaurant, with the student union offices to be relocated to the student lounge. I understand the new plan has no queer space and is being implemented without any consultation with students, and against the wishes of the elected representatives of the student union. I think it only fair to let you know I am raising this matter with relevant trade unions, government departments and the equal opportunity commission because queer students have a right to a space to meet and organise, as do all students. To take this away from them is blatantly discriminatory and to redesign the student lounge without consulting students is to blatantly ignore their rights and needs. Furthermore, I understand students have presented an alternative plan to create a central hub of activity on the campus, creating some culture on what is often referred to as a 'dead' campus by St Albans students. I look forward to messages from the student union to say that you have put the new plans on hold and are sitting down with the students to discuss a solution that will uphold their rights and cater for their needs. Yours sincerely, Caspar Cumming Victorian Tafe Students and Apprentices Network President Ph: {W} {03} 96397699 {H} Fax: {03} 96396448 Mobile: 0438570115 At the last Victoria University Student Union executive meeting held on Thursday 18th April the executive passed a motion to reject the Institute's planned redesign of student space and continue campaigning for students to be consulted and have their plan implemented. The motion stated VUSU would seek outside support from VTSAN, NUS and other relevant organisations. The University is planning to start building work on Tuesday the 30th of April and students are planning to gather at St Albans on Monday to stop this building work going ahead. Your support is requested. A meeting to plan the action will take place at 12 midday on Friday 26th April in the St Albans student lounge in Building 4 {the biggest of the six student spaces under threat}. Contact: Caspar Cumming TAFE students Network President: 0438570115 [EMAIL PROTECTED] -- -- Leftlink - Australia's Broad Left Mailing List mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Archived at http://www.cat.org.au/lists/leftlink/ Sponsored by Melbourne's New International Bookshop Subscribe: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?Body=subscribe%20leftlink Unsubscribe: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?Body=unsubscribe%20leftlink