This is a report submitted to the VCA Faculty Board by the Student Representative Chloe Greaves on Thursday the 1st of May 2008. Please feel free to comment on this HERE!

Undergraduate Student Report
By Chloe Greaves
Faculty Board Meeting May 1st 2008

In response to issues raised at the last faculty board on I held a multi disciplinary meeting of undergraduate students on Thursday the 24th April to discuss the following general topics:
- VCA funding 2011 and beyond
- Melbourne model
- Student representation
- Student deferrals
-And student resources

In this document I have split the conversations held in the meeting into 4 main areas:
1. Information Distribution to Students
2. Student Representation
3. Defferal / Drop Out Rate
4. Student Amenities and Facilities

1. Information Distribution to Students
One major concern that came out of the meeting was that the students at the VCA are not happy with the information being presented to them, whether that be positive or negative. The general consensus was that there is a break down in communication between higher levels of staff and the students.

For example there is a lot of confusion about the merger with Melbourne University and the introduction of the Melbourne Model at the VCA. There is some resentment amongst students relating to the source of information about changes at the VCA. The most recent example being printed in The Age newspaper before any student consultation had occurred.

A suggested solution was to set up a web page independent of the student union and the faculty or university, in which the board could elect one or multiple members of staff to post factual information about issues and changes within the faculty.
It would be a place for the student board / committee representatives to report back to the wider student body. It would also allow for input from the Student Union. The combination of contributors should therefore allow students access to an unbiased, representative information source. The site would be in blog format and allow for comments on each post. It would also contain a forum element for wider discussion of present issues. It would allow access to all persons involved via a user login system. These users would be allowed to publish information and submit it to unbiased fairly weighted discussion. Users would only be allowed to edit their own submitted material.

We feel this would be an effective way to bridge the current gaps in the information flow. Since the meeting of students, one contributor, a 3rd year student has nominated themselves to create the site, which is currently live, and operational; it can be viewed at www.vcastudents.com.au

2. Student Representation
We feel that the faculty would benefit from having student representation on the Integration Committee and the ELC, to assist in problem solving and also to allow the efficient flow of information. Students at the meeting expressed interest as to why there are no students currently sitting on these committees. The students expressed interest as to the feelings of the Faculty Board on this topic

3. Deferral / Drop Out Rate
In relation the deferral / drop out rate at VCA, the students at the meeting outlined a few main issues that may be directly linked. These are as follows:
- Cost of living
- Health issues
- Over enrolment / not enough facilities or opportunities for students
- High work load, and high intensity of course work
- Lake of life experience / a will to travel
For more specific analysis, the students present requested a break down of the deferral rate into percentage of students from each discipline and year. Students expressed an interest in doing some “market research” to get more solid information. If this is given the go ahead, I would like to present the findings to the board at the next meeting on Thursday the 24th July. I would also like to request some resources for this market research style reporting to occur, such as stationary.

4. Student Amenities and Facilities
Notice Board
Students expressed an interest in setting up an events board, where we could advertise student performances, shows, exhibitions and events. Possible site for this noticeboard would be the café or on the outer wall of the wardrobe workroom portable. These sites are suggested due to their high traffic flow and the accessibility of all students regardless of discipline.

Library and Cafe
There is also a feeling that the facilities on the VCA campus do not sympathise with our intensive study and contact hours. We would like a review of the computer lab and library opening hours. Due to class attendance, many students can only use these facilities during their 1-hour lunch break, which of course is when these facilities are in highest demand. We understand cost is an issue to keeping these facilities open however we would like to suggest a late night shopping approach in which one or two nights a week these facilities stay open to a later hour such as 8:00pm or 8:30pm.

Computers and Internet Access
Lack of Internet access and the limited number of computer-based resources was raised as a major issue for the students at the VCA. There are two main areas that this was broken down into, wireless Internet and computer numbers. The VCA Student Union’s Wireless Internet has been a very big hit with students, with well over 100 subscribers in its peak. Students expressed an interest in any plans to introduce wireless Internet College wide. Access to computer-based resources was outlined as an issue due to the low number of computers accessible to the general student population. This relates to not only internet access, but access to computer suites such as Microsoft Office, Final Cut Pro and Adobe Creative Suite.

General Space
Lack of space was outlined as an issue that affected student’s everyday interaction with the college. Students expressed interest in the relocation of the VCA Secondary School and the possible opening of new space due to this. Students also outlined the Police Stables as a possible opening of space to the VCA, and also expressed interest in the suggested move of the Police Mounted Squad. Students outlined that space in every school was gradually on the decline, and expressed an interest in a consultative process with staff and students to address the more effective use of space.

In Closing
I would like to thank the members of the VCA Faculty Board in taking the time to listen to my suggestions. I will be facilitating more of the student focus groups and promoting the website www.vcastudents.com.au in an increasing bid to lead an increase in communication between students and the management of the VCA. I look forward to working with you all in this exciting time of a changing face of the VCA.

Regards,

Chloe Greaves
3rd Year Production

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