ARTICLE 1, A CONCERNED STUDENT

As a concerned student I’m asking all students to not view the VSU issue as a singular 
Issue. To not view it as a "me first issue". We live in a society where support both socially 
And economically is organized by society as a whole. To think that VSU is a positive step 
Because it will save you $182 a year is to miss the point completely. 

The implementation of a users pays system for our student representation is a back    
Handed approach to play with students apathetic and selfish views. The university you are 
Part of, UWS is a micro society. The disassociation of yourself from this micro society 
Leads to the macro environment around you (the larger society in general, your current 
Political party in power, who has a majority in senate) to install negative reforms within our
University society much more easily. 

-fees for our courses will go up, and we will not be able to stop it due to a lack of a 
Strong, and influential student voice, our student unions. 

-courses will be cut and we will not be able to stop it due to a lack of a strong, and 
Influential student voice, our student unions.

-less prestigious universities such as UWS will be turned into third rate TAFE  type 
vocational/trade schools and we will not be able to stop it due to a lack of a strong, and 
Influential student voice, our student unions.

-Teachers will receive lowered funding, cuts and changes and we will not be able to stop it 
Due to a lack of a strong and influential student voice, our student unions.

-private organisations will be installed in our universities and our campus will be nothing 
More than another "receptive/captive audience" for marketers and advertising agencies 
To target with consumerist messages and we will not be able to stop it due to a lack of a 
Strong, and influential student voice, our student unions.

-your course may even be canceled! And we will not be able to stop it due to a lack of a 
Strong, and influential student voice, our student unions.

-YOUR EDUCATION WILL BE IN JEPOARDY! And if it isn’t your education it will be your 
Son, or daughters, or family member’s future.

REMEMBER THIS!: VSU is not a singular issue. It is the destruction of the student’s front 
Line of defense. Once our voice, our protection from changes that affect us in larger ways is
destroyed, once our front line of defence is destroyed (student unions) it will be easier for any
political party to install drastic, NEGATIVE, changes to our universities and our courses.
Here is a metaphor for you to think about: your student union is your elder brother that 
You call on for support when you are being picked by a bully. He isn't following you all 
The time, but when you need his help he is there to back you up....

Now it's our turn to show support to our metaphorical elder brother, our student union. 
AS STUDENTS WE HAVE TO PROTEST ON THE 28TH OF APRIL 2005 SYDNEY UNI FRONT 
LAWN 12PM!!! SHOW YOUR SUPPORT FOR YOUR UNI!!! Show support for your current    
System. SAY NO TO THE "GAFFA TAPING" OF YOUR STUDENT VOICE!!!
 

No Student unions Left To Speak Up For Me

First they came to install V.S.U, and I didn’t speak up, because I didn’t care about my Student Union.
Then they came to increase canteen prices, and I didn’t speak up, because I didn’t eat uni food. 
Then they came and cut teacher’s funding, and I didn’t speak up, because I thought it didn’t
concern me…     

Then they came to cancel my course….
by that time there was no student unions left to speak up for me.

go back to V.S.U article page