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Uni praises students' peaceful rally

Wednesday, 31 March 2004

The ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥ of Adelaide today praised its students for conducting a responsible and peaceful demonstration on its North Terrace Campus.

The students were part of a National Day of Action to protest against possible HECS fee changes, proposed voluntary student unionism and a lack of funding for universities.

About 100 students from the universities of Adelaide, Flinders and South ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥ initially gathered outside the Barr Smith Library at 1.00pm before marching through the city. The march ended at the Mitchell Building, where they requested to meet with the Vice- Chancellor Professor James McWha.

As Professor McWha is currently overseas on ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥ business, the students were met by Acting Vice-Chancellor Professor Penny Boumelha, who was presented with a submission relating to possible fee increases.

Professor Boumelha undertook to convey their submission to the Vice- Chancellor in the context of the current process of consultations with students and the Students' Association.

"What I can tell you is that no decision as to how the ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥ will respond in the matter of HECS loadings has yet been made," Professor Boumelha told the students.

The students then left the Mitchell Building.

"This ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥ recognises students' rights to express their opinions and we respect a diversity of views," Professor Boumelha said. "The students voiced their views and concerns in a responsible manner; and we commend our Students' Association for the way in which they organised their demonstration."

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