Dundee University students support anti-cuts campaign
Dundee University students have committed themselves to supporting campaigns against higher education funding cuts.
Dundee students protest againt cuts in 2010.
- By Grant Smith, education reporter
- Published in the Courier : 24.03.11
- Published online : 24.03.11 @ 05.08pm
An extraordinary general meeting of Dundee University Students' Association (DUSA) backed a motion calling for action to protect students. This has been endorsed by the student representative council.
The motion instructs DUSA to "support all organisations in defence against cuts that may affect present and future students of the university."
It also calls on the association "to campaign for viable alternatives to cuts through means including, but not limited to, information campaigns and media."
With campaigning for Holyrood elections under way, higher education funding is a major issue for the political parties.
DUSA acting president Chris Browne said, "We welcome the education secretary's promise that the funding gap between Scotland and England will be filled without resorting to tuition fees or a graduate contribution.
"We have consistently been clear that we must find a system that works for Scotland and that we cannot solely base the answer for our universities on what has happened south of the border.
"The motion passed by the student representative council not only ensures that DUSA will continue to oppose any unfair and dangerous cuts to higher education funding but also that we will consider how other areas of society concerning students might be affected.
"DUSA exists to represent and promote the general interests of students of the university. That is not solely limited to higher education issues and we must consider factors surrounding support services, employability prospects and the economy of the city and Scotland in our campaigns."
In the past year DUSA has opposed the introduction of a graduate contribution or upfront tuition fees as a solution to the gap in higher education funding in Scotland, compared to English universities which can charge students up to £9000 a year for tuition.
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