Proposed Federal Government changes to the university sector could lead to fewer rural students attending university, according to Charles Sturt University’s vice-chancellor.
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While welcoming the Federal Government’s focus on reform of the higher education sector, CSU vice-chancellor Professor Andrew Vann said any reforms “should acknowledge and address the specific challenges faced by rurally-based regional universities”.
Professor Vann (pictured) says rural universities have higher costs in delivering learning and research services to a widely dispersed population while playing an important role in providing the targeted skilled workforce to meet industry and rural needs.
In the submission recently presented by CSU to the Senate committee looking into higher education reforms, the vice-chancellor recognised the need of the Federal Government in the current economic circumstances to address funding challenges in the sector, including through increases to student contributions.
However, he said he was concerned at the potential impact of fee deregulation on rural, regional and indigenous students from low socio-economic status (SES).
“Significant increases could act as a significant disincentive for these students, whose participation rate is already below average, to undertake higher education,” Professor Vann said.
“This potential impact is one that needs to be considered. An alternative may be to examine other models for varying the level of student contributions, while avoiding the possible negative impact of total deregulation on participation rates among regional, rural, indigenous, mature aged, part-time and low SES students.
“CSU supports calls for the Federal Government to develop a set of policy responses to help rurally-based regional universities invest in their communities. This would help to address long-term structural market imperfections in rural areas.”
Professor Vann opposes the proposed 20 per cent reduction in Commonwealth funding for undergraduate university courses, as well as changes to indexation and proposed changes to existing cluster arrangements for course funding.
“These changes will result in universities having to make up funding shortfalls with higher costs to students and will significantly impact a number of CSU’s primary teaching areas, which address regional needs and skills shortages,” he said.
“We also specifically oppose the proposed scholarship scheme as it will distort the higher education market, resulting in an uneven playing field for rurally-based regional universities.”
CSU joins Universities Australia, which has noted that the current proposed change to the Higher Education Loan Program will lead to higher debt levels and longer payback periods for students.