Should YUSU fight for ‘value for money’ for students paying 9k?

YES

Following the recent Higher Education White Paper and the decision of the University of York to increase tuition fees to £9,000 a question is posed on whether the Student’s Union should push for more concessions for students affected by this change. I will show that it is the responsibility of the Union to push for this with reference to its constitution, the view that the policy of the union is founded on the will of the student body as a whole, and the need to minimize potential damage from the new fees structure.

A key argument in this debate can be found set out explicitly in the Constitution of the University of York Student’s Union:

Background Section, clause B (iii) “The union will seek at all times to pursue equal opportunities by taking positive action within the law to facilitate participation of groups discriminated against by society.”

While this clause has traditionally been interpreted more in the direction of equal opportunities for students already on campus who belong to groups discriminated against by society, this clause can be interpreted to facilitate campaigns for concessions to allow less advantaged people access to higher education at all. If the argument against increased fees is based on the exclusion of less advantaged members of society from university, it is hardly a question whether the union should push for concessions.

While I, as an officer of the union argue this view, one of the positive aspects of the union itself is that it is a union by students and for students. As all students across the board will be affected by the fees rise, it is also up to them to make a decision whether they believe there should be a greater provision of bursaries, scholarships and fee waivers to those who need them. The decision lies in the hands of every member of the union.

Ultimately, I believe higher education should be free in the interest of society. Many of the advances whose effects we enjoy today are a direct result of academic development and a desire for knowledge. Students should be encouraged to pick up the mantle of previous generations of academics, and push the boundaries further without hindrance. The only way to ensure this and minimize the adverse effects of the rising fees is by campaigning as a united student body for concessions.

It is embedded in our very constitution to counteract the worst effects of the rise in fees. The responsibility lies in our hands, as students and as a union.

Andreas Gabrielsen is YUSU Campaigns Officer.

 

NO

“This is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning.” At the risk of sounding hyperbolically indulgent, this war time mantra of fortitude seems a most apt message to communicate to YUSU given their plans to negotiate our terms of ideological surrender; before we have even lost the ‘anti-education-cuts-war.’ The implementation of increased fees was a defeat that signaled the ‘end of the beginning’, but not the absolute end of what promises to be a long term struggle. Requesting the allocation of ‘freebies’ for next years ‘9K students’, opens up a dialogue of compromise, which signals our acceptance of the universities decision to raise fees. Though a promising idea on paper the reality of this situation is that it marks the sacrifice of our long term ideals and principles.

The introduction of 9k tuition fees is set within the context of an estimated 80% cut to UK Universities’ across the next half decade and the prospect of further cuts is becoming a growing reality. In light of this it seems that asking for and accepting temporary handouts would simply be a sacrificing of long term goals for blindingly small, short term gains.
The ‘incentives’ decided upon and offered to next years students may well turn out to be reminiscent of the marketing tactics employed by our favorite banks: ‘Open an account with us today and we’ll give you a free shower radio !’ – In the end, the money and freebies that YUSU manage to requisition would probably be more wisely spent on improving the longterm aspects of the university; rather than being awkwardly parceled between freshers.

The very principles of unity and solidarity upon which YUSU was foundered will be instantly betrayed, if they open negotiations with the university, in spite of the NUS’ suggestion that they refrain from such action. The union should focus their efforts on reorganizing anti-cuts campaigns, conversing with politicians and talking with budgeters to work towards the achievement of our long term goals, such as graduate taxes in favor of up front charges.

Though a refutation of such half-hearted attempts of appeasement may result in a materialistically Pyrrhic situation for next years students, the overall message conveyed by the unions refusal to negotiate would signal a significant moral victory. Reading as an inspirational tale of not ‘selling out’ in the face of false or temporary promises. The truth of the situation is, that whilst this university may be in a position to offer handouts next year, others are not. The availability of future funding for the UK’s educational establishments is in doubt. We need to take a firm uncompromising stance today, to ensure that the government (and university) take seriously, the need to secure a less austere tomorrow. YUSU can not be criticized for not ‘doing their best’ to help next years students, but to borrow once again from Churchill, ”It’s not enough that we do our best; sometimes we have to do what’s required” and in this situation what is required is an ardency of belief and a firm, principled stance.