PROFESSOR Andrew Vann’s animated response to proposed federal government funding cuts to the university sector is a measure of the concern they have created.
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The Charles Sturt University vice-chancellor is usually a serious, unflappable type not prone to making rash statements.
So when he delves into the grey area of class warfare to make a point, you can be sure it has been a considered reaction.
Professor Vann is fighting hard to have the government overturn its plans to cut almost $3 billion from the nation’s higher education sector over four years, a plan that would cost CSU around $9 million a year.
He said such a cut would cost the university about 90 jobs and leave students facing higher fees – and higher debts – for their degrees.
But Professor Vann is not just upset by the proposal, he is also “cranky” that the federal government [in his view] tried to divert attention away from the higher education cuts by rolling them out just a day before unveiling its major Gonski 2.0 funding for schools.
“It’s not fair that regional kids will be worse off,” he said.
“Money is being taken from regional students and being paid to private schools in Sydney.
“I have nothing against private schools, but it’s not right that the The King’s School in Parramatta stands to receive an extra $2800 per student while we will only get support from the government of $959 for a student studying a business degree in 2021, so the student will pay 92 per cent of the cost of their education.”
From Andrew Vann, they’re real fighting words, but CSU clearly feels it is being pushed into a corner by the government.
And with plenty to lose, it is good to see the vice-chancellor willing to come out swinging – both for his university and for the the city he now calls home.
In Orange, the issue of university cuts do not just affect students and their families.
Education is this region’s biggest employer and the university is an economic driver for the whole community.
If CSU starts to feel the pinch then so will the rest of Orange.
We cannot afford job losses and we cannot afford empty beds at the Orange campus.
Professor Vann is leading the way on this campaign but the whole of Orange should be standing behind him.
