Victoria Students Back Staff In Petition

From - Alice Revell

Claims that Victoria University students do not support university staff are unsubstantiated, shows a petition signed by over 1600 students.

The petition declares student support of Victoria University staff and their industrial action, and that students have 'no confidence' in the Vice Chancellor and the university senior management.

"The Vice Chancellor's continued attempts to play staff off against students have clearly failed. This petition shows that students are concerned at the university management's continued refusal to listen to staff and their very reasonable requests," said Alice Revell, Welfare Vice-President of the Victoria University of Wellington Students' Association (VUWSA).

At the University Council meeting yesterday, students dropped a banner saying "Happy Staff = Happy Students" and student representatives attempted to present the petition supporting the staff. However the Chancellor, Douglas White, ruled that this was unacceptable. Staff and students were soon asked to leave the meeting.

Students joined staff on the picket lines and by walking out of lectures during the staff strikes from midday to midnight yesterday and last Thursday.

"We will be continuing to support the staff in whatever way we can," said Ms Revell.

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