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1ST DEC 2008
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Students studying at collegesand universities nationwide are all talking about Top Up Fees but Oxford students have taken it a step further.
The leaders of the NUS are to sit down and discuss what to do next with their campaign against top up fees.
 The message these guys are trying to get across is that by implementing this would result in a two-tier system in higher education. Hours spent telling anyone who would listen.
Traffic was blocked around Parliament Square by Chris Weaver, the vice president of the union, he was wearing a fluorescent traffic warden's jacket with a 'Stop fees now' sign in his hand.
Oxford Students have taken it that step further by patrolling various colleges and blocking access points with "Top-up Fees access denied" signs.
The Student Union President of Oxford University has said: "These proposals will quite literally deny access to those who cannot afford to pay. Oxford University has a duty to remain meritocratic, and should therefore oppose top-up fees."
A statement has been released saying: "The shortfall in university funding will not be met by the introduction of "top-up" fees at the levels envisaged by the white paper. Relying on tuition fees to address the funding shortfall implies a long-term expectation to allow significantly higher fees. Rector of Imperial College, has already expressed his desire to charge £10,000 - £15,000 a year."
 The NUS could be facing an uphill struggle as they�??re aren�??t only opposed to the top-up fees but all fees.
The 128 rebel backbencher MPs who have signed today's early day motion are opposing top-up fees, not other fees and, in a softly-worded statement ask to see "other funding options" rather than a return of the maintenance grant. Other rebels in the Commons are suggesting a flat-rate increase of between £2,000 and £2,500 rather than the "elitist" differential costs.
Next Wednesday students from all over the country will meet together in Westminster to try to voice their opinions and try to convince their MPs of these opinions. A morning of "stunts" will be followed by some serious hard talking.
The spokesperson for The NUS has said that the talking was what matters. "It's about the MPs' votes. The key is to target every one of them. Unions have spent quite a lot of their campaign budgets on buses taking them to London. Now winning that bill is all that matters."
Provided by The Student Zone (United Kingdom) |
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