University of Sydney management recently called a Town Hall style meeting to discuss the University community’s views on fee deregulation. The resounding opinion of the meeting was in stark opposition to fee deregulation, with only one speaker of twenty-six being openly in favour.

Subsequent to this meeting, it has become clear that this ‘consultation process’ has been a farce. Vice Chancellor Michael Spence has chosen to reject the overwhelming views expressed by staff, students and alumni. The following day he began lobbying Christopher Pyne to push through with his plans for fee deregulation in the face of mass public opposition. Spence also sent an all student email, claiming there was a “breadth of different views” expressed at the meeting; anyone who was present can confirm this is not the case.

·  We condemn Michael Spence for disregarding the opinions of the majority of speakers at the Town Hall meeting.

·  We condemn Michael Spence for advocating and lobbying for the deregulation of University fees, which will further entrench inequality in the Australian education sector.

· The majority of students remain firmly opposed to fee deregulation, and instead call on the University Senate to lobby for increased government funding to Higher Education.

http://honisoit.com/2014/09/an-open-letter-from-the-town-hall-speakers/