Education Academic

STATEMENTS

Daniel Clarke & Varaidzo Chipunza 0not pictured) (Stand Up!)

Hi, we’re Varaidzo (she/her) and Daniel (he/ him) and we hope to be your next Education Academic Officers. We study Politics and English (Varaidzo), as well as Computing and Software Systems (Daniel). Through witnessing first hand the difficulties people are facing during COVID-19, we believe that now more than ever student representation at university is paramount to having a fair and transparent higher education experience. We wish to continue the work Stand Up! has been able to achieve, such as the WAM Amnesty that has assisted so many in these pressing times and the ongoing support and advocacy that the current Stand Up! Office bearers have provided students with. If elected, we will collaborate with students and academics across all faculties in order to ensure that students are provided with a fairer experience. We will endeavour to ensure that there is transparency in subjects, subject coordination, the expected workload and the various key dates associated with assessments. The pandemic has proven how necessary it is for every student to have access to services and support in order to be able to complete their studies. We will advocate on behalf of all students to ensure that they receive the best possible education throughout this crisis going forward. This includes making sure that Special Consideration is accessible for all students who need it and that it is a fair process. Given the current situation with COVID we are aware that University life is going to continue to be vastly different heading into next year. So vote [1] Stand Up! for a ticket that has a proven track record of delivering real outcomes for students to help them get through these difficult times. And we look forward to hearing any concerns going into 2021 so we can get through this together!

Jennisha Arnanta and Planning Jay Vynn Saw Education (Academic) OB

Hi! We’re Planning, third year Bachelor of Biomedicine, and Jennisha, third year Bachelor of Commerce. We will fight for greater accountability and transparency in the academic and policy processes of the University. We will ensure transparency between UMSU and the student population in their communication with the university. The pandemic has shown us that there has been a lack of inclusivity of students’ voices to contribute to the decisions made by the University. The student population are not aware of the processes and proposals that underlie the decisions such as Fee Reduction, WAM Change or GPA Change, leaving students to question the rationale of these outcomes. We will reignite the fight towards Fee Reduction for all students. This should not be an issue that “this too shall pass”, and it is unreasonable for the university to assume that the same quality of education is delivered when lecture contents are recycled and in-person tutorials and practical. We will ensure that the university allows for greater input from students in the co-design of subjects. Instead of only offering subject experience surveys, student representatives should be involved in discussions with the subject coordinator after a subject has ended, so that improvements can be made to the subject based on the feedback of the students. We will ensure that Stop 1 is run competently. Students often face anxiety and stress as they wait for long periods of time before receiving a reply from Stop 1. There has to be more staff in Stop 1 especially during peak periods and the pandemic has once again shown the inadequacy of our student support services. Students from all over the world travel to Melbourne expecting a world-class education and therefore, we will fight for all their voices, both domestic and international, to be heard loud and clear.

Phoebe Legget and Benjamin Cronshaw - Ed AC - Independents for Student Democracy

Phoebe Leggett is a second-year Arts student studying linguistics and ancient history. I am involved with various clubs, including serving as Secretary and President of the Classics and Archaeology Students Society. I firmly believe that all students should be able to access and have a say over their education. As the Greek philosopher, Plato said: ὁ δὲ ἀνεξέταστος βίος οὐ βιωτὸς ἀνθρώπῳ “the unexamined life is not worth living”. Benjamin Cronshaw is a fourth-year Ancient World Studies Honours student. I am planning on studying a Master’s in Public Policy and Administration. I believe university is a great place for learning and the exchange and contest of ideas. All students should expect a quality education and should be supported in their learning experience. Independents for Student Democracy is a group of students passionate about democracy and promoting student wellbeing and community/clubs experience on campus.

Timothy Lilley - VVholesome

Education (Academic Affairs) Officer “I’m going to bed before either of you come up with another clever idea to get us killed. Or worse, expelled.” – J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone

Michael Josefsson No statement recieved