VSU

In March 2005 the Government introduced into Federal Parliament the Higher Education Support (Abolition of Compulsory Up-front Student Union Fees) Bill 2005. The legislation prevents universities from charging any fees that are not directly related to a student study.

This means that student unionism is now a voluntary institution. Students are no longer obliged to pay a union fee if they do not feel they will benefit from union services. This is a worrying development for Universities. Student clubs and services create a rounded and memorable experience for students.

The UTS Council had passed a resolution in its most recent meeting declaring that the "University Council reaffirms its opposition to Voluntary Student Unionism on the grounds of its inconsistency with the educational and community ethos of the University, and its negative impact on the services, amenities and activities that are important to the University community".

Fortunately, UTS LSS has not felt directly affected by VSU as of yet. This is because the majority of our funding comes from major law firms. However it will potentially affect the events we run on campus, as the UTS UNION will have less money to fund clubs and societies.

Melbourne Model

From 2008, Melbourne University will be replacing its current undergraduate LLB program with a graduate-entry degree of Juris Doctor as part of its "Growing Esteem" Plan. The Melbourne Juris Doctor will be the only option for students pursuing their first degree in law at the University of Melbourne.

Since the announcement of this change by Melbourne University in November 2005, there have been many discussions and debates amongst the higher education community on the implementation and influence of the ‘Melbourne Model' on the Australian tertiary sector.

The model is supposedly a hybrid of the US gradate-school system and the Bologna model which is currently being phased in through Europe and consists of three year undergraduate degrees followed by two-year professional masters. Applicants for the law degree will be accepted into the degree on criteria including their results on a Law School Admission Test, their grade point average from previous tertiary study and a personal statement by the applicant.

There are key differences in teaching law as an undergraduate and postgraduate degree. So far, most universities are waiting to see the affects of Melbourne's strategy before they implement any changes of their own. However, Australian Law Student's Report on the model noted that 'there can be no doubt that the implementation of the Model will significantly change the landscape of Australia's higher education sector, not least because "it loosens the ground for further deregulation"...As a superpower in the Australian higher education landscape, Melbourne's actions always have consequences.'