Future of funding
In no more than 50 words, explain what you believe is the best way to fund university education.
Why should the working man on the street pay for my education? My education means I'm going to earn a lot more money than him, but yet that privilege is
being paid for by the taxes he pays everyday. 'Poor' people won't pay, 'rich' people will. That's social justice.
What made you decide to run a campaign on this issue?
This isn't a sophisticated campaign. I put my point across here, much as I would over a pint. Basically I'm fed up of students from well-off backgrounds whining about being poor when they're not - I think it's selfish.
What are the faults of the present system of student loans and tuition fees?
There are complications with fees: they test richness of parents not their willingness to pay. However, it's the best option on the table.
Research has shown that current government proposals will still leave funding gaps in universities. How far would your proposals go in bridging this gap?
Obviously a great deal further than any of the other proposals!
What do you think about the government's higher education proposal of an increase in tuition fees, to be paid after graduation?
Good start; but we need more fees not less.
What do you think about the government's targets for the expansion of higher education?
I don't buy the argument that we need less higher education - even if you change the emphasis from media-studies to plumbing that education still needs money. It also leaves the fundamentally unjust situation where students from well-off backgrounds get a subsidised world-class education.
How important should the issue of access be in considering university funding?
It's clearly important. As poor students don't pay fees a fall in applications isn't problem with the system, but one of communication. Fees are socially just, and they're fair.
In no more than 50 words, explain what you believe is the best way to fund university education.
Increase progressive taxation: the greater one's income the greater proportion of income is taxed. The Institute of Fiscal Studies demonstrated that an additional tax band, affecting ONLY 1 per cent of taxpayers, of 50 per cent on those earning over £100,000, would bridge the funding gap and give every student a £5000 bursary.
What made you decide to run a campaign on this issue?
We have all been heavily involved in the campaign for free education and we all believe in the importance of OUSU as a campaigning organisation.
The referendum provides a unique chance to make sure ALL students are aware of this issue and our solution - not the usual OUSU council structure.
What are the faults of the present system of student loans and tuition fees?
They are paid up front which has a powerful deterrent effect, as demonstrated by the fact that the proportion of working class students has dropped from 20 per cent to 17 per cent since their introduction.
Research has shown that current government proposals will still leave funding gaps in universities. How far would your proposals go in bridging this gap?
Not only do our proposals raise £4billion more than the government - they raise the EXACT amount needed to fund free education and a £5000 grant for everyone.
What do you think about the government's higher education proposal of an increase in tuition fees, to be paid after graduation?
It would have a severe deterrent effect, especially given the amount of debt a graduating student could expect to be in (probably about £20k at least).
How important should the issue of access be in considering university funding?
It should be absolutely paramount. We can only realistically claim to have a system of equality in this country if people are given the same chances.
We must ensure that those from non-traditional backgrounds have every opportunity that those from better off backgrounds already enjoy.
In no more than 50 words, explain what you believe is the best way to fund university education.
University education should be paid for through combination of government grants and money earned privately by well-established research orientated Universities. Academic courses must be rigorous enough to ensure that society benefits from paying for its best minds to be educated to degree level.
What made you decide to run a campaign on this issue?
University education should not have to be the ultimate aim of every student. In short; the problem of university funding should be resolved by reducing student numbers.
What are the faults of the present system of student loans and tuition fees?
They leave students with £10,000 worth of debt, and hence can serve as a deterrent from applying to university for intelligent pupils who are borderline cases on the financial assistance threshold.
Research has shown that current government proposals will still leave funding gaps in universities. How far would your proposals go in bridging this gap?
By reducing the number of students we could divert funding into proper institutions which offer reputable degrees.
What do you think about the government's higher education proposal of an increase in tuition fees, to be paid after graduation?
I believe education should be free to students.
What do you think about the government's targets for the expansion of higher education?
The only way to get 50 per cent or more of young people into higher education is to lower the benchmark to the lowest common denominator. Students who could have vocational training leave institutions with huge debts and degrees worth very little.
How important should the issue of access be in considering university funding?
We believe the best minds should have the right to attend a reputable university and earn a degree based on their own merits.
3rd Apr 2004