Angry students storm uni over fee hike
By Louise Perry and Ebru Yaman
March 26, 2004
VIOLENT student protests against fee hikes flared again yesterday when up to 1000 students marched through Melbourne's Monash University and clashed with police for the second time this week.
While Monash battened down the hatches, the Australian Catholic University yesterday bucked the HECS hike trend, announcing there would be no fee increases for 2005.
Monash students occupied the Clayton Campus university marketing department, claiming the vote to increase HECS fees by 25 per cent at Monday night's council meeting was "pushed through" and should be voted on again.
A glass door and window were smashed, one student was taken to hospital and two security guards were injured.
Monash on Monday defied protesting students and voted to raise HECS fees by the full 25 per cent and increase full-fee paying domestic student places to 35 per cent. The Australian understands that the council vote was fraught and rushed and that 10 councillors voted for a rise, six opposed and four abstained.
One councillor - well-known Melbourne identity Rhonda Galbally - has since resigned and others have complained that the vote was pushed through by vice-chancellor Richard Larkins without proper debate, using security concerns as an excuse. "It was rammed through with no discussion that could have led to important additions, considerations and more creative ways of addressing the issue," Ms Galbally wrote in her resignation letter.
Professor Larkins denies the accusation, saying he was advised by police twice to finish the meeting in order to stop the protests from exploding.
He said that while he was happy to continue discussing the decision, there would not be another vote.
Yesterday, students at the Victorian College of Arts also protested and eventually set up camp for the night outside the administration building. The University of Queensland was also expected to make a decision on fees last night.
The Australian Catholic University joins the Australian National University, Charles Sturt, Central Queensland University and James Cook in keeping fees at current levels next year.
Taken from 'The Australian', 26th March 2004
Students holed up over fees
Jeremy Calvert, education reporter
26mar04
UP to 60 students remained barricaded in a Monash University building last night, protesting against 25 per cent HECS fee increases.
They stormed the former vice-chancellor's residence on the Clayton campus earlier after triggering fire alarms, causing university buildings to be evacuated.
One student was sent to hospital with cuts while four others, two security guards and two police officers were injured on broken glass during the students' rush to occupy the building, used by marketing staff.
But a police spokeswoman said there were no reported assaults on officers and no charges laid.
"There was no out-of-control protest behaviour or serious clashes," the spokeswoman said.
There were some broken windows and that caused a few cuts and that sort of thing."
Monash University Council voted on Monday evening to increase fees by the maximum allowable 25 per cent, the fourth university in the state to do so.
Angry students caused about $10,000 damage to university property at the time.
Since then, police have kept a close watch on the campus and stationed several mounted officers outside the administration building yesterday.
Monash Student Association president Giles Bray said that the police presence had inflamed tensions.
"However, we did not plan the occupation. That was a group of students who have done that of their own accord," Mr Bray said.
"I have been in contact with them, though, and they say they will stay until the university council reverses its decision.
"They could be there for the long run."
Vice-chancellor Richard Larkins entered the occupied building at 5.30 yesterday evening to negotiate with the students, spokeswoman Penny Fannin.
A Melbourne Fire Brigade spokesman said no action would be taken over the false alarm.
"It is frustrating, though," he said. "Someone in an emergency may not get immediate assistance because our crews are at the university."
Taken from 'Herald Sun', 26th March 2004
Students, police injured in Monash University fees protest
By Bridie Smith
March 26, 2004
Students and police were injured after Monash University students stormed and occupied a building on campus yesterday.
At the same time about 20 Victorian College of the Arts students began an all-night vigil to oppose rising HECS fees.
The Monash students, also protesting against rising HECS fees, stormed and occupied the former vice-chancellor's house, now the university's marketing department.
Five people were injured when students crashed through a plate-glass window. One student was taken to Monash Medical Centre about 2pm with cuts to one of his legs. He was in a stable condition last night. Two police officers and two security staff sustained minor injuries.
The Monash occupation, which ended about 7.30pm, followed an afternoon rally of about 1000 students chanting "No fees for degrees". Fire alarms were set off in the Menzies building.
After the occupation, which ended when the university threatened to expel the students involved, Shen Narayanasany, a past president of the Monash Students' Association, said: "We intend to disrupt the university fully from now on."
A student demand to meet vice-chancellor Richard Larkins was met, with Professor Larkins and deputy vice-chancellor Stephen Parker entering the building for talks at 5.30pm.
Student spokesman James Massoula said the main demands were that the university reject the package of changes of federal Education Minister Brendan Nelson. The university acted on those changes on Monday by increasing HECS charges by the allowed maximum rise, 25 per cent, and allowing up to 35 per cent of places for local students to be subject to full fees.
After half an hour of talks, Professor Larkins emerged and said it was unrealistic for the university to go back on its plans to adopt the 25 per cent HECS fee increase.
"It would be wonderful if there were more money for higher education," Professor Larkins said.
He said that the protest had become violent and posed a threat to university staff and resources.
The building's glass front door was shattered in the occupation. Blood and broken glass splattered the green carpets at the entrance to the building. A car was damaged when students stood on its roof.
The Age was the only news organisation to make it into the house, where the students voted on their action demanding the university council declare Monday night's meeting null and void.
While 60 to 90 students occupied the house, another 50 to 60 were outside, chanting. Second-year commerce student Denise Lee, of Singapore, was in the house on her first protest. "In my country we don't do this . . . I saw it on Monday and thought it would be good to take part. I am already paying quite a bit, so I don't want to pay any more."
VCA Student Union education officer Graham Smith said that if the college cared about students it "should unconditionally oppose any HECS increase and fight publicly for more public funding".
- with David Rood, Kenneth Nguyen
Taken from 'The Age', 26th March 2004
