Victorian College of the Arts Student Union

The Victorian College of the Arts Student Union (VCASU) is the student union of the Victorian College of the Arts (VCA), in Melbourne, Australia. It is a separately incorporated organisation which represents the VCA student body. It has a strong history of creative student activism and successful political campaigns. [ [http://www.sa.org.au/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=862&Itemid=106 "VCA students' victory shows direct action works"] Socialist Alternative, Edition 70, September 2003. Accessed April 21, 2008] VCASU's student newspaper is called Spark (magazine).

The Melbourne Model

"See main article Melbourne Model"

VCA became a faculty of the University of Melbourne (UM) in 2007, which is in the stages of implementing the controversial Melbourne Model [ [http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/jobs-under-threat-at-melbourne-uni/2008/03/29/1206207499091.html "Jobs under threat at Melbourne Uni"] The Age, March 30, 2008. Accessed April 22, 2008] at UM and VCA. VCASU argues the new changes are aimed at cutting university courses, staff and services which UM Vice-Chancellor Glyn Davis denies. [ [http://www.vcasu.org.au/2008/03/26/bigger-fees/ "Bigger fees, overworked staff and cuts to courses: welcome to higher education in 2008"] VCASU Website. Accessed May 21, 2008] Davis, the architect of the Melbourne Model has come under much criticism from staff [ [http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/academics-face-axe-at-top-faculty/2007/07/10/1183833519268.html "Academics face axe at top faculty"] The Age, July 11, 2007. Accessed April 22, 2008 ] and students alike. [ [http://www.greenleft.org.au/2007/719/37339 "Students demand sacking of VC"] Green Left Weekly, Edition 719, July 27, 2007. Accessed April 22, 2008 ]

UoM Provost Peter McPhee (academic) announced on the 22nd of April, 2008, that VCA's six separate schools of fine art, music, drama, dance, production and film and television will become three by 2009, effectively cutting the VCA in half. ["Arts college to follow US model" Bridie Smith, The Age. April 23, 2008, p.4.] This contradicts one of the basic principal philosophies of the VCA originally outlined in a policy document presented to the Victoria Institute of Colleges in September 1974. ["Creating the Victorian College of the Arts" Joseph Pascoe, Macmillan Publishers, Melbourne, 2000, p.22.]

VCASU also argue that UM are attempting to silence VCASU for its criticisms over the Melbourne Model in the wake of Voluntary student unionism introduced under the former John Howard Government, by refusing to fund the organisation any further, which could well force its closure. [ [http://www.vcasu.org.au/2007/08/20/rally-to-stop-course-cuts-staff-cuts-save-student-unions/ "Five reasons why YOU should join the campaign to stop Melbourne Uni from cutting staff and cutting your courses as part of its Melbourne Model"] VCASU Website. Accessed May 21, 2008] Despite this, VCASU achieved a 25% voluntary membership in 2007 (possibly the highest in the country), with more than 50% of VCA students agreeing to join VCASU when enrolling online in both 2007 and 2008. [ [http://www.dest.gov.au/sectors/higher_education/policy_issues_reviews/key_issues/VSU/vsu_consultations.htm "The Impact of Voluntary Student Unionism on Services, Amenities and Representation for Australian University Students"] VCASU Submission to the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations Review. Accessed May 22, 2008]

Proud

Proud is VCASU's annual acquisitive prize exhibition held for all VCASU members to participate. It has traditionally been held in the Margaret Lawrence Gallery at VCA. Beginning in 1996, Proud has provided a launch pad for many of VCA's successful emerging artists, including Anastasia Klose [ [http://www.artinfo.com.au/artists/about/anastasia--klose "Anastasia Klose"] Art Info. Accessed April 23, 2008 ] and Gabrielle de Vietri. Previous Proud exhibitions have included high profile arts industry judges such as Marcus Westbury and Patricia Piccinini. [ [http://www.vcasu.org.au/proud/ "Proud"] VCASU Website. Accessed April 23, 2008]

Recent Former Presidents of Victorian College of the Arts Student Union

* 1998: Thomas Baricevic
* 1999: Sarah Elliot
* 2000: Beau McCafferty
* 2001: Kirsten Neilson
* 2002: Kirsten Neilson
* 2003: Jacqueline Grenfell
* 2004: Jacqueline Grenfell
* 2005: Alison Hogg
* 2006: Michael Chew
* 2007: Nadia Bobaly
* 2007: Graham Smith
* 2008: Graham Smith

References

External links

* [http://www.vcasu.org.au/ Victorian College of the Arts Student Union]
* [http://www.vca.unimelb.edu.au Victorian College of the Arts]
* [http://www.unimelb.edu.au/ University of Melbourne]