VSU Impact Risks Lasting Legacy

The Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations (CAPA) welcomes the VSU Impact Study released by Australian University Sport (AUS) and the Australasian Campus Union Managers’ Association (ACUMA).

Findings in the AUS/ACUMA VSU Impact Study support those in The Impact of VSU on Postgraduate Students published by CAPA earlier this year. “The report outlines the impact of VSU on sporting, recreational social and cultural activities, and yet again demonstrates that postgraduate students have been casualties of VSU, as in many cases targeted services have been significantly reduced or have vanished completely” CAPA President Nigel Palmer said.

“The report also confirms the outcomes of the VSU transition fund as being uneven, and its administration open to claims of porkbarrelling and having ignored the genuine need identified in countless submissions and reviews. The report also highlights the difficulties many organisations now have in sustaining adequate levels of service, and in recruiting and retaining key staff. Most organisations are struggling to cope with “VSU fatigue”, and the situation doesn’t look to be getting any better any time soon.”

“The report again reflects that fact that some universities have responded much more effectively to VSU than others. Those that have adopted an enlightened approach, particularly in regard to independent services and support for postgraduates, will continue to reap the rewards. Those that have not will see a continued decline across a whole range of indicators - a trend they will find very difficult to reverse.”

The report again demonstrates that after 11 years under the current government the higher education sector is at tipping point. “It’s not like the impact of VSU has simply been an “adjustment”, it has been a catastrophe. It may take many years to reverse the decline that has been set up by years of under-funding and reckless, ideological intervention on the part of successive Education Ministers under the current Government. CAPA calls on all parties in this election to commit to a long term view of reversing this decline, and fixing VSU is the best place to start.”