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The USI are calling for action against the implementation of third level fees, but surely this anti-fees brigade needs to change the record in this day and age.
It’s great to see the USI can afford to pay for a full page ad in today’s Irish Times, yet their website is currently down.
If a fees system is to be implemented (despite the high “registration” fees presently in place, think of it as a VRT for college education annually), surely the USI will have greater impact and influence ensuring the fees system is in the best interests of students, rather than potential leaders (as could be suggested of other financial dealings currently at hand).
Nobody expects students to be able to pay up front for their college education (unless you get an education, that whilst recognised by HETAC, is a provided by private college that charges thousands annually) – surely a fee based system if put in place needs to ensure that students are able to repay the (small) debt on their terms.
I also think the drop-out rate will fall dramatically if students reflect on having to pay fees in the future. A student may be more responsible in selecting the course they apply for before sitting their leaving, and should they accept a college offer, I do think they’d be more likely to take their education more seriously rather than considering college as an extension of school, but with beer.
The USI need to cop on and frame the debate, not follow it. If fees are to be brought in – and it was an issue in 2002, well before the celtic tiger was assassinated – the USI have the opportunity to feed into the debate and make suggestions that ensure the ability to repay is the most important issue, not a catch-all oppose-all. Social partnership is falling apart, the USI never came to that table, they’ve the opportunity to build the next one – and sit at the top seat.
David Cochrane has worked in the digital, media and poltical arenas for over seven years, he runs the political discussion site Politics.ie, and is a part-time student and fulltime jobseeker.
This blog is about his interests, be it politics and current affairs, the media, looking for work, or anything else which comes to his mind.
Ronan Emmett
August 18th, 2009 at 1:10 am
USI should also spell check their text! Tuition is spelt wrong twice in the advert.. They spell it tution!! Doesn’t say much for a third level education when you can’t spell properly!!!
Steve Conlon
August 21st, 2009 at 5:25 pm
If USI wanted to really wanted to turn the screws on the government, and if they could actually guarantee that students would actually do this, they could hit the government hard in two ways:
1 – Insist that nobody pays the registration fee, oh wait they can’t ask for that as that is where the Students’ Unions get their budgets, and it was USI who lobbied for its introduction in the first place.
or
2 – Get students to threaten to withdraw from their course in Novemeber before the student census day – that way each college would not be paid for those students, – and then they can all go back and apply for the CAO next year – mind you that would require students to care what USI thinks, or to act in true union fashion and be in it for the greater good.
Ah well they are screwed so. I’m already hearing disaffilitaion talk in a number of colleges over USI not having a plan B and insisting on no fees. They have done no work to deal with increased welfare support etc when they do come in.
Ronan Emmett
October 8th, 2009 at 1:38 am
Steve Conlon talks utter rubbish – “Insist that nobody pays the registration fee, oh wait they can’t ask for that as that is where the Students’ Unions get their budgets, and it was USI who lobbied for its introduction in the first place”. If Steve thinks that USI lobbied for the re introduction of the registration fee his lack of understanding and knowledge of USI just beggars belief!! Probably one of those people in a private college with no points and nothing better to do! Get an education Steve and inform yourself before you make idiotic statements such as the one above!