Opinion
Australian universities have come to rely not only on international students, but high levels of casual staff. Many claim they are systemically underpaid, with some institutions under audit for wage theft more akin to the hospitality industry. Damien Cahill argues that ending exploitation and putting staff back on the books should be part of the sector’s recovery.
Opinion
Universities across Australia are increasingly setting up in CBDs, with federal government funding tied to a wider policy of revitalising cities. But sacrificing space and amenity for vertical expansion often isn’t a great deal for students, research or the university’s bottom line, argues Geoff Hanmer.
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The SA cross-bench senator whose support will deliver the Morrison Government’s controversial university funding Bill says he will vote for it despite conceding it is “far from ideal” and will leave humanities, law and commerce students with debts of up to $50,000.
University arts students have been told to “mix and match” subjects as the federal education minister tries to double their fees.
The federal government has a right to be concerned about the financial cost of university student course failures but has over-reached in its response, argues Andrew Norton.
University students who flunk half of their first-year courses could lose financial support, under a federal government proposal to curb soaring Higher Education Loan Program debts.
A Federal Government move to prioritise “job ready” university courses by cutting some course fees but dramatically increasing the cost of arts degrees will penalise students, narrow choice and impose an economy-first mindset on the spirit of higher education, argues Andrea Michaels.
