While I realise that this may not be the most appropriate forum for the
discussion of the proposed charges for AARNet, I feel it important enough
to mention.
You would know that the Australian Vice Chancellors' Committee will
implement a "user-pays" system of charging for the use of AARNet as from
next year. What concerns me is how the University will come up with the
money.
Today, at Academic Board, the Deputy Vice Chancellor said that he knew of
no plans to charge students for their internet access. He did not,
however, rule it out as an option. For student who must necessarily use
the Internet, this would be another charge we'd have to cough up for.
He also mentioned that the University most likely crack down on
"non-academic" use of the Internet. To be exact, students found using
Internet for non-coursework related things (such as reading this letter,
for example) will be CHARGED WITH ACADEMIC MISCONDUCT (*really* heavy shit).
A Working Party has been set up to deal with the issue of charging for
Internet access. There are NO students at all on this working party. This
is a Really Bad Thing. This is bad because no-one is there to represent
your interests (ie - no charges to students for Internet, and allowing
non-course-related things to happen).
For my part, I've found Internet to be the most useful information
resource available at UTS. When doing "non-academic" things, I am still
learning. It may not be strictly what the subjects want, but it is still
knowledge. It will most likely help me in the workforce (if/when I make
it there). I feel it is very beneficial to my study.
If you agree with any of these issues, please send mail to the following
people:
The Vice Chancellor (Gus Guthrie): vc@nospam.uts.edu.au
Send copies to:
The Executive Director, Uni Admin (Robyn Kemmis): R.Kemmis@nospam.uts.edu.au
ITD Manager (Greg Porter): G.Porter@nospam.itd.uts.edu.au
Pro-Vice Chancellor Academic Support (Brian Low): B.Low@nospam.uts.edu.au
Me (Alister Air): acair@nospam.wattle.itd.uts.edu.au
OR baitoven@nospam.ftoomsh.socs.uts.edu.au
I feel it is very important that people who do not want to be forced to
pay for internet access mail these people. Use the fact that by the
Deputy Vice Chancellor's admission, there are no students on this committee.
If anyone has a problem with me using ProgSoc's mailing list for the
purpose I have put it to, can you please mail me rather than posting to
ProgSoc (I think most people would rather not read your flames, but I
would like to know if anyone doesn't like me doing this - I do NOT plan
to do it often :)
Thanks for paying attention,
Alister Air
"Be careful of that nasty drop down to the Right..."
"So if you see a strange door to your Left,
Just drop your things and run for it!"
- Things of Stone and Wood - "Wildflowers"