Student fees protest-Don't Agree...

Killer_Cheese

I've had a look through everyone's posts here.

The vibe I'm getting is that those that feel students need to take a hit as well as everyone else in the country right now are saying, look to loans or grad taxes.... both of which the Government have already ruled out! (silly in my opinion, they seem to be looking for a magical quick fix to their financial plans)

Those that are expressing that any increase in fees will result in them struggling even more and in cases having to drop out.

Its incredibly clear that there are students for which an increase in fees will not hinder, students for which an increase in fees will make staying in college more difficult and student from whom the increase in fees will result in them not being able to continue their studies.

I know that without the grant that I received I won't have been able to go to college....... actually I should rephrase that.... Even with two part time jobs, without the grant I would have been an unsupportable burden on my family.

I do believe that reform is needed in how our government manages the funding for our third level institutions and the grant scheme. However it seems that positive change never comes over night and the government will be continuing to attempt their quick fix policy and just take another lump sum of cash from every student and their families.

I put it too you.... what alternative would you suggest?

Thunder_Seagull

SU Statement from August:

Dublin, Ireland, Monday 22nd of August 2011:

Dublin City University Students’ Union is calling on the Minister for Education and Skills, Ruairi Quinn, to present his ideas in relation to fees for third level education now that the CAO offers have been released. So far, contrasting stories have been released from different media outlets, none of which seem solid or definite.

The Minister is on record, from before the general election; saying “If elected, I will oppose and campaign against any new form of third level fees; including student loans, graduate taxes and any further increase in the student contribution.”

This country pumps roughly €2 billion per annum into higher education. Third level institutions also receive extensive civic and public support that provides for their philanthropic and business activity.

Ireland at the moment is basically in receivership. Taking this into account, cuts across all sectors including education are imminent. Dublin City University Students’ Union is encouraging the Minister to explore and exhaust every possible option before looking at bringing back third level fees payable by the Student.

Dublin City University Students’ Union President, Ed Leamy, said: “If we take a worldly view on fees, regardless of a nation’s wealth or politics, all expenses of Higher Education are provided by an amalgamation of four sources of funding - Taxpayers, Students, Parents and Institutions/Philanthropists. What Ireland needs to do is to devise a sustainable strategy of cost-sharing, where a fundamental component in such a strategy has to be an efficient scheme for monetary support, in order to provide access for able, but disadvantaged students into Higher Education.”

DCUSU would like to offer the Minister our assistance in helping devise a realistic strategy that will continue to make third level education reachable for the majority of school leavers. The scheme must be affordable to the Students and the State alike, and not jeopardise the quantity of students in our education system or the quality of graduate.

DCUSU feels that there needs to be a process of discourse and interaction; not just between Government and leaders in higher Education, but also the Students.

As we, the students, are the ones that will be affected the most by any change in fees, we ask the Minister to write not just to USI, but to every Students’ Union in the country asking them to forward their ideas to him. There are hundreds of thousands of students in Ireland today. Engagement will be critical to devising a fair and affordable strategy for all.

-Ends-

fox65

Thunder_Seagull wrote: »

SU Statement from August:

Dublin, Ireland, Monday 22nd of August 2011:


This country pumps roughly €2 billion per annum into higher education.

Ireland at the moment is basically in receivership. Taking this into account, cuts across all sectors including education are imminent. Dublin City University Students’ Union is encouraging the Minister to explore and exhaust every possible option before looking at bringing back third level fees payable by the Student.

Dublin City University Students’ Union President, Ed Leamy, said: “If we take a worldly view on fees, regardless of a nation’s wealth or politics, all expenses of Higher Education are provided by an amalgamation of four sources of funding - Taxpayers, Students, Parents and Institutions/Philanthropists. What Ireland needs to do is to devise a sustainable strategy of cost-sharing, where a fundamental component in such a strategy has to be an efficient scheme for monetary support, in order to provide access for able, but disadvantaged students into Higher Education.”

-Ends-

Seems like he is proposing or wants to propose some sort of shared cost. Between parents, students and the government. I am not sure if he is referring to fees or the grant system in the last quoted paragraph.

Killer_Cheese wrote:

I do believe that reform is needed in how our government manages the funding for our third level institutions and the grant scheme. However it seems that positive change never comes over night and the government will be continuing to attempt their quick fix policy and just take another lump sum of cash from every student and their families.

I put it too you.... what alternative would you suggest?

You've pointed out the government has ruled out grad tax. But we should re raise the issue and propose it or something similar as a student body. Get backing of academics, and public figures.

A grad tax would help people. The registration fee would be included so it would make college more immediatly affordable. You only start paying your tax when you can afford. (levels can be adjusted for single income familes and the like.

The sentiment is that the SU is being unrealistic or not being specific enough. "The SU would like to offer our assistance". It is unlikely the government will come calling.

If the SU said these are our ideas, this is the break down, we have the support from this world respected economics guy, from this political expert. The media would take an interest.

My view is protesting is pointless unless we have an alternative to suggest.

Einstein?

Jagle wrote: »

GO TO COLLEGE OR YOULL FAIL IN LIFE

DONT KNOW WHAT TO DO IN COLLEGE? BUSINESS DERP

premdelap11

Might I say that the most 'honourable' student union president architect of the dcu student protest was away in the states :cool:

XPS

premdelap11 wrote: »

Might I say that the most 'honourable' student union president architect of the dcu student protest was away in the states :cool:

He wasn't the only students' union president / sabbatical officer in the country at it - it's an annual event. But if you have an issue about it how about you get it raised at class council.