Media Release - Vice Chancellor

http://www.vu.edu.au/About_VU/Media_Releases/VU_will_provide_whats_best_for_west/indexdl_94087.aspx
VU will provide what's best for west
28 October 2008

Victoria University's (VU) Vice Chancellor Professor Elizabeth Harman today reaffirmed Victoria University's commitment to provide high quality post secondary education for all people living in the western region of Melbourne.

Professor Harman said: "The decision made by Victoria University's Council last night will see the University staying on track by offering the courses that students want, at the campuses they prefer in the western region of Melbourne, with the right staff and support services."

"Our aim is to make VU the first choice for vocational and higher education students in western Melbourne."

"We are currently teaching courses at eleven sites across the west and in the city. The arrangements are not optimal for students or for the University. Council has been planning for a better campus future for more than a year and deliberations will continue into 2009."
During 2008, VU commissioned major external reports about the educational needs of the western region and separate reports on each campus.

Council has now resolved to advance plans to meet the growth in student numbers in the western growth areas through development of VU at Footscray, St Albans, Sunshine and Werribee ensuring those campuses are viable and vibrant.

Council agreed that VU should stop enrolment of new students at two of its small outer suburban campuses at Melton and Sunbury from 2010, although it recognised that in courses deemed to be too small across the whole university enrolments may cease from 2009.
These decisions are subject to approvals from relevant Governments.

Professor Harman said: "Students who are currently enrolled at Melton and Sunbury campuses - 850 at Melton and 1550 at Sunbury - will be supported through their studies so that they can successfully complete their courses."

"Our analysis shows that even if we were to change our course mix and attempt to relocate other courses to Melton and Sunbury there is little possibility that either campus would reach a viable size by 2031."

The University will continue discussions with authorities at local, State and Commonwealth level with a view to VU assisting in partnerships for educational services that better meet the needs of local residents. This might be because other providers make use of VU land and facilities at Melton and Sunbury. Alternatively, students from Melton and Sunbury will continue to travel to other VU campuses in the western region, as the majority now do.

Professor Harman said: "Planning for our campuses, must be based on the real trends and forecasts of actual student demand for tertiary education over the next few decades in the western region."

"The University aims to develop an investment strategy that recognises that while the first call on funds goes to student needs, learning, teaching and research, the University nonetheless must find the means to provide first class facilities in the west for this education and research by improvements or extensions to our existing infrastructure."