Student fury over triple whammy of cost rises
THE president of the University of Plymouth Students' Union has said her "blood is boiling" after news that students could face a triple blow of higher fees, bigger loan repayments and fewer grants under plans outlined by business leaders yesterday.
Aleshia Sampson told The Herald that she was upset by the news as it meant the future would be "very worrying" for students.
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Ms Sampson spoke as a report on higher education compiled by business lobbying organisation CBI said that cuts to "generous" levels of student support are necessary to preserve the quality of teaching and research at universities.
The CBI Higher Education Task Force's year-long study, which examined how business and universities can work together in the future in the face of a global recession, warned that "tough choices" must be made to ensure that the UK's higher education system remains world class.
The report said that the expansion of higher education, coupled with the current state of public finances, is putting an increasing strain on resources, with the Government already asking English universities to make £180million in savings between 2009 and 2011.
The task force advocated making savings by reforming student funding, with the money used to support teaching and research in the face of public spending cuts.
But Aleshia Sampson said the recommendations were "insulting to students".
She said: "This report is very worrying for students and future students across the country, and could have damaging effects on universities.
"If fees increase and loans and support decrease, more and more students who can afford to go to university may choose to study abroad.
"Political parties have recognised that dramatic action may need to be taken to pull us out of the recession, but we currently have one of the best – and most supportive – education systems in the world, which is something to be proud of, and worth fighting for.
"These recommendations are incredibly off-putting for future students, and may have serious repercussions on a generation – and may also enforce a social divide between those who can afford university, and those who simply can't afford the debt."
The National Union of Students said yesterday that it was "astonished" at the CBI report, and branded its recommendations offensive.
The report recommended that:
The Government should provide tuition fee loans at its own cost of borrowing, and remove the interest rate subsidy on all loans. It claims this could be phased in over three years to avoid impacting on current students – and would provide yearly savings of £1.4 billion.
Maintenance grants should be reviewed so that only those who need it the most receive them.
An increase in tuition fees appears "inevitable".
Aleshia Sampson said: "I believe these recommendations are insulting to students.
"NUS are already fronting a national campaign on higher education funding and this is something that the University of Plymouth Students' Union are endorsing and supporting.
"UPSU will continue to campaign for a fairer funding system, so higher education is not a privilege for the few, but a right available to all, to ensure our city and our country is the best it can be."
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by I pay more tax than you, London
Tuesday, September 22 2009, 1:28PM
“Jeez, get off your high horse why don't you?! Take a chill pill, if you don't like the sort of comments that people are putting on here, then don't read them. It's great living in a free country is n't it? Apart from idiots like you living within it that is. Go back under the stone you came out from.”
by Actual Taxpayer, Plymouth
Tuesday, September 22 2009, 3:08AM
“I can't believe people are winging about a 10% discount in some shops - get over yourselves.
And for the those of you banging on about students on Mutley and North Hill etc drinking "your" money away, here are some facts for you:
If you include students at Plymouth's Colleges (they are after all students too) Plymouth has aboyut 35000 students. If you are HONESTLY trying to tell me that there are 35000 students staggering through the streets of Plymouth every night then you need to get out of this crazy dream world you're living in and open your eyes.
And I find it immensely hypocritical that we're slamming students for "getting trashed" the whole time - anyone going to the pub this week?
No one on here has come up with a decent argument about what should be done about tuition fees, in fact, no on except for the National Union of Students has made a decent argument nationally.
This year the first batch of graduates to have paid £3k tuition fees have graduated in the most fragile economy for generations, with no jobs for them to go to.
This is the problem that needs to be addressed, not whining about how student can get 10% off in TopShop and you can't.”
by The Bosun, Saltash
Monday, September 21 2009, 10:53PM
“Bill. If you bother to read the report above you will find that these are recommendations from the CBI who have completed a year-long study. The Government have had no say in the matter.
Appears to be rather a lot of misleading stuff flying about on this subject.”
by Chris, Plymouth
Monday, September 21 2009, 10:41PM
“I am a member of the armed forces and I don't ge the same discounts as students do! Before joining up though, I worked in a shop in the city centre and I am telling you, that loads of students used to come into our shop, spend loads of money on 'toys' that they did not need at all! There is no argument with that, that is a fact. So, my point to you, is that how the hell can you defend students that spend all their money on stuff they don't need and then claim that they don't have enough money?? And a great point was made of students getting drunk and sticking pics of their night out on FaceBook, and then they claim not to have enough money or can't afford to pay it back or whatever?? You have to be joking yeah??!”
by Bill, Plymouth
Monday, September 21 2009, 10:24PM
“Another classic example of a government U-turn.
First they are telling people to go to university to increase their job prospects and boost the economy. Education, education, education they said...
Now they're saying don't bother, sign-on at the Job Centre instead, live off benefits for decades and drag the country further into debt.”
by Graduate, Cornwall
Monday, September 21 2009, 10:03PM
“I couldn't agree more with the points made by Danielle.
At the end of the day, student's are entitled to spend their loans however they so wish; as they will have to pay them back with added interest.
Moreover, those who judge others for taking these 'mickey mouse' courses might want to have a look at this: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/devon/8259015.stm
I would imagine those mickey mouse graduates have gone on to achieve a lot more than those who are judging them on this comment page.”
by Danielle_Student, Plymouth
Monday, September 21 2009, 9:41PM
“Thank you for your courtesy Daniel.
It's just very disheartening when so many people put students down consistently. Yes there are many things that students can do wrong.. .the same as others in communities. But students are also the next generation of not just doctors, nurses and engineers, but also the next generation in media, the arts, politics, journalism. And it can sometimes be these kinds of courses that can be referred to as 'mickey mouse courses'.
Any education is only held at the discretion of the individual. If, like your friend on the primary education degree, they do not wish to excel in a particular subject or do not ever go on to find a career in that field that is also up to the individual. Other people off the same course as her may have gone on to have very successful careers. What people put into a university education is exactly the same as what people put in to their high school education or their jobs. If you do not put anything in to it you will not receive anything in return.
As a police officer you may understand this when i say some of my relatives went through Hendon... Some did well and their friends did not. It all boils down to the individuals.
Students get enough 'dissing' from people who have never even bothered to find out more about the educational institution or indeed what students do for their local economy.
As a police officer of our community surely it is in your interest to make ties with the educational establishments in plymouth and not resent the people that chose to attend them?”
by Fred, Plymouth
Monday, September 21 2009, 9:23PM
“While I try not to generalise and tar all students with the same brush I live in Greenbank and honestly see very little evidence of the majority ot students showing concern for the local community and for paying their way. Student lets are not looked after and property is run down, beer bottles and cans litter the streets and they certainly don't go out of their way to purchase permits to park in the zones in which they live. They do appear to be able to afford to drink, eat junk food and run cars and yet do not have to pay for permits, council tax and now are even going to be entiltle to free tickets for Plymouth Argyle! I agree with the previous comments regarding micky mouse degrees for which students currently receive grants. If those people who live in the University catchment area were to see more visible signs that students treat the area, property and parking with respect there may be more sympathy for the proposals regarding the future of funding for full time education.”
by Graduate, Still in Plymouth
Monday, September 21 2009, 9:15PM
“It's hilarious to see locals coming on here having a go at students when all Plymouth has going for it is the University and other Public Sector organisations (the hospital, council, navy, police to name a few) and the vast number of organisations that support them either directly or indirectly.
My only gripe is that residential properties occupied solely by students do not have to pay Council Tax. I think this is unfair but it is a national issue.”
by Daniel, Plymouth
Monday, September 21 2009, 9:07PM
“Danielle.
I agree with some of your points, and like ive said before ppl who study certain subject should get 0% Loans .. Subject Including Medical, Teaching Business and IT (theres more but u get my drift)
Those micky mouse degrees should be stopped.
Just speaking with the other half about this and she mentioned a freind who has a childcare degree.... and now she is a supervisor in Boots.... and the point of the degree was...
Please do not try to compare yourself to our armed forces when it comes to discounts.
I as a Police Officer do not get any discounts in our local shops unless I can do a bit of haggling.
I would quite happily sit down with you and debate about this but i dont think we would agree as both of us have very good points.
I wish you well in your studies and your future career.”