SCRAPPING the student services fee for external students could divide the student fraternity, according to UNE student association president David Mailler.
“(The fee) was helping the rebuild of a student fraternity on which the UNE brand is based,” Mr Mailler said.
“A two-tier student experience, external and internal, is a blow to the collegiality that the
student association has been working to rebuild.
“Now, without the contribution of external students, UNE’s amenities, available to all students, will only be supported by the smaller, internal student cohort.
“There may now be much fewer resources to fund those amenities.”
Mr Mailler said the move by UNE Council had shocked the student association.
“The total lack of consultation with the elected student representatives on such a far-reaching decision was breathtaking,” he said.
“The student association has endeavoured to partner with the university in resolving several issues regarding compliance with the Higher Education Service Act.
“Discussions had been leading to a plan for how students in all modes could be better supported.”
Mr Mailler said he thought it would be hard for UNE to retain its five-star student satisfaction rating with reduced student amenity.
