Found in OSIS inbox...
I found this email in my inbox, and I must say I usually disregard Student Services emails due to them rarely being relevent to my studies, but I was glad to have bothered reading this one.
So, for anyone who may not have read it, this is about that Union Fee Invoice we all got sent last week!
It has been brought to the attention of the University that students may
have received an invoice from the UC Students' Association. The invoice
bears the Association logo and is for the amount of $50. Students have
contacted the University confused about the status of the invoice and
whether they are required to pay the amount. Please be advised that the
University did not sanction the production of the invoice. The invoice was
issued without any formal advice from the Student Association to the
University.
In late 2005 the Australian Senate approved the Higher Education Support
Amendment (Abolition of Compulsory Up-front Student Union Fees) Bill 2005.
The Bill prohibits Higher Education Providers from requiring a student to
become a member of a student organisation as a condition of enrolment or
from charging a student an amenities fee for services that are not of an
academic nature, unless the student has chosen to utilise that service. The
University of Canberra was able to charge an Amenities and Services Fee
(ASF) in Semester 1, 2006 under the terms of the legislation but will not
charge the ASF for Semester 2, 2006 or any subsequent semester. This was
explained in Student Bulletin 01/06.
The Student Association is within its rights to seek your membership and
seek payment of membership fees. However, students are not under any
obligation to become a member of the Student Association or pay the
membership fee of $50. Of course, the Student Association offers a range of
services to students and there are many reasons why you might choose to
become a member. If you do wish to make use of Student Association services
and to join the Association then you can do so by making payment on the
Student Association invoice.
If you wish to contact the Student Association then you can do so by phoning
(02) 6201 2000.
So, for anyone who may not have read it, this is about that Union Fee Invoice we all got sent last week!
It has been brought to the attention of the University that students may
have received an invoice from the UC Students' Association. The invoice
bears the Association logo and is for the amount of $50. Students have
contacted the University confused about the status of the invoice and
whether they are required to pay the amount. Please be advised that the
University did not sanction the production of the invoice. The invoice was
issued without any formal advice from the Student Association to the
University.
In late 2005 the Australian Senate approved the Higher Education Support
Amendment (Abolition of Compulsory Up-front Student Union Fees) Bill 2005.
The Bill prohibits Higher Education Providers from requiring a student to
become a member of a student organisation as a condition of enrolment or
from charging a student an amenities fee for services that are not of an
academic nature, unless the student has chosen to utilise that service. The
University of Canberra was able to charge an Amenities and Services Fee
(ASF) in Semester 1, 2006 under the terms of the legislation but will not
charge the ASF for Semester 2, 2006 or any subsequent semester. This was
explained in Student Bulletin 01/06.
The Student Association is within its rights to seek your membership and
seek payment of membership fees. However, students are not under any
obligation to become a member of the Student Association or pay the
membership fee of $50. Of course, the Student Association offers a range of
services to students and there are many reasons why you might choose to
become a member. If you do wish to make use of Student Association services
and to join the Association then you can do so by making payment on the
Student Association invoice.
If you wish to contact the Student Association then you can do so by phoning
(02) 6201 2000.