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Friday 16.03.12 Volume 59
Issue
Students crushed by hidden course costs
What’s Inside? Film
12
John Carter review
Music
Sabbatical officers Steph Johnson and Alex Slater talking to students about hidden course costs. Photo by Kate Delaney. Kate Delaney
The University of Reading took part in the National Day of Action on Wednesday 14 March. The day was organised by the National Union of Students (NUS) to call on the Government to ‘come clean’ on its reforms for higher education. The events of the day were also an attempt to encourage the University of Reading to be more open about the hidden course costs in studying.
She had spent £400 in two years, on books Throughout the morning, VP Welfare and Representation, Steph Johnson, and VP Academic Affairs, Alex Slater, were stopping students en route through campus and asking them to fill in receipts about extra costs on their course that they did not expect. The receipts were compiled on a ‘wall of debt’. Sophie Elliott, a second year Ancient History student, was shocked to realise that she
had spent around £400 in the two years she has been here, just on text books. These receipts were later presented to the University Senate.
Large cardboard letters spelt out the word ‘debt’ In the afternoon, the sabbatical officers held a rally outside the Senate. Emily Hatcher, a third year Fine Art student was particularly affected by hidden costs, she has had to pay for all the materials needed for her work. Miss Hatcher based her final project on student debt. Her work was presented at the rally for all those attending to see as they entered the building. The path was covered with large cardboard letters spelling out ‘debt’, and the team crushed RUSU President, Karl Hobley, with the word ‘debt’ made with concrete letters. Karl Hobley, President of Reading University Students’ Union, said “I am delighted that the
University Senate has taken a huge step in agreeing that a public statement should be made calling for the HE reforms to be properly scrutinised. It was also agreed that students and universities deserve the right to discuss these reforms in open debate”. A letter is to be sent to local MP Rob Wilson, signed by the stu-
dents, calling on him to highlight the need for a public debate in Parliament on the HE reforms and for universities to be upfront about additional costs. It is hoped that Rob Wilson will meet with student representatives from the University to discuss this pressing issue further on April 18 2012.
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Lana: icon or con? Food
27
Spark*’s top Easter eggs
Sci/Tech
32
President Karl Hobley ‘crushed by debt’. Photo by Kate Delaney.
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