Sunburys vu is closing

[Little Birdie]

Hey all.
Ok no I’m new at this but I have something I think is really important- The Sunbury VU being shut down. I totally understand that to some of u this may mean nothing at all because u don’t go to uni, u don’t do to that uni or u simply have no interest in the matter so let me explain why its so important…Who goes to the uni – people (no surprises there sorry to those of u who thought other wise), the majority of those students live in Sunbury, meaning they do there shopping in Sunbury meaning out community is partly thriving because of there money being spent at our shops, supermarkets, pubs, cafes ect. Take away the students, and there money and there is every possibility that business wont dry up completely, but a significant amount of shopkeeper takings will removed. Secondly the campus was gifted (means given to) VU for free to be used as a learning facility, and now it can only be used for that purpose by them or anyone else. If they give it back to the government, The Gov cant do anything with it either because its heritage listed site and that means no touchy touchy! So its more or less there is ever chance it will come a dilapidated pile of bricks sitting on a hill.- not so pretty. I could rabbit on for hours about it but the proof is in the pudding. Anyways, if your are interested in helping out or what ever let me kno. There are heaps of things trying to be done to save the site and the more people on bored the better. Thanks for letting me rant and I look fwd from hearing from all of you sooon.
Peace.

[JD]

I dont go to uni but Shutting Down The Sunbury VU is a really bad idea in my opinion, you should create a Poll in The SUNBURY WEB POLLS section of the forum, in which We can all vote For or Against the closing of the Sunbury VU.
it would be interesting to find out what other people think.

 

[Intheknow]

Lil Birdy and JD,

VU Sunbury and Melton campuses have not been shut down yet and there are a number of concerned community members and local Sunbury VU students that have been working to retain the outer campus's open.  If you are interested and passion about ensuring Sunbury and Melton have the best available TAFE and HE education available and keeping the Sunbury and Melton campuses open go to  - Keep Sunbury & Melton VU campus's Open on Facebook.

[Lilly]

What?? This is incredible! Nobody can be serious about this?? Surely the givernment would ensure that our town and those surrounding it at least have a source of education? Why cut off another possible avennue to those who live in and around Sunbury that can enable them to have a real & fulfilling future that can usually be helped along by resources provided up at the Campus?

This is just ridiculous. Is there anything other than the Facebook site happening? When is this proposed for?

[Intheknow]

Hi Lilly,

Yes there is more than just the facebook page happening, a petition being run by students and friends of Sunbury and Melton campuses is in circulation, the facebook page was initiated not only to get support but to keep the petition running, to help ensure that the "Government" is aware that this region need and want the education facilities to remain, demanding a full consultative process in relation to courses and the campuses.   If you want to sign the petition and you are a member of the page contact the administrators to find out where the petitions are or email saveourunis@live.com to obtain a copy for signing and collection.

If you have seen the media release it is fairly obvious that VU are acting on its own accord by announcing that it is ceasing enrolments for 2010 effectively shutting both Sunbury and Melton campus once the last student completes their last remaining student and cutting some courses next year, which ones will not be confirmed by VU until late November after most closing dates for renrolment at other universities.   

The way they have conducted themselves and the timing of the decision/announcement is appalling.  VU should be made to reverse the decision to stop enrolments as it is obvious without Government approval. Join the group or sign the petition or even send a letter the Chancellor or our local MPs.

[Doc]

There is a petition at Juiceworks in Evans St and more if other retailers will allow them

[SkyWalker]

Sunbury VU will be closing in 2010 due to small interest/intake in it's courses which makes the cost unviable. What VU does not appear to have considered is making a change to the courses offered here at Sunbury (perhaps more Nursing & Teaching courses..). Perhaps surveying the local & nearby population to see where people's interest in higher education is. There are plenty of local parents who have an interest in studying higher education closeby to their children's schools, who don't do so because there are no suitable courses on offer here, or courses that were ideal have already been wound up by VU.

It also strikes me that

**At the time VU is set to close our new hospital & associated facilities are due to open here in Sunbury. Perhaps both VU & Sunbury Hospital could benefit from a working/training partnership!!

To me it seems that the year 2010 is when the Uni will become even more a crucial needed local facility.

Finally it would be a great loss to local business and community to see VU's doors close at Jackson's Hill.

Sunbury has developed and expanded a great deal in the last five years since I completed my nursing certificate at Sunbury VU. I believe there is much more on offer in Sunbury now in terms of attracting quality educators and students from outside, and I believe this will improve over the next 2 years. Perhaps there is a need for more people in our community to contribute to the uni to show that it is needed and viable.

It will be a great loss to Sunbury if VU closes.

[Lilly]

That is just plain ridiculous. I tried to do a real estate course there a few years ago, but couldn't as i was told that footscray was the closest uni holding these courses. Is this all about getting people to move or commute closer to the city???

Doesn't our uni service Macedon ranges and further?

P.s. i signed the petition at Juiceworks AND the facebook group!!!

[Steve]

If there is not enough interest in courses then why should they they open? At a potential financial loss?

[Doc]

There is enough interest but as VU's charter and premise for their justification for closure is that there are not enough students from the locale at the school, VU's charter is to service the students of the West, if there are others attending from elsewhere...it is not servicing the students of the West ( in their tiny minds).  But with the continued forcing of Sunbury and Melton students to attend subjects at other campuses...this encourages students to amend their enrolment campus, thereby affecting student numbers per campus v locale.

Sunbury VU campus was gifted to VU and CANNOT BE USED FOR ANYTHING OTHER THAN EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES.

So it will not fall into the hands of any greedy developers who are wont to destroy Sunbury with their pop up architectural monstrosities.

With the withdrawal of music degrees and the slow but systematic eradication of courses and subjects, VU is modeling Melbourne's wind down of subjects to enforce what they term the "Melbourne Model".
Any loss is not the fault of the courses but in Harman's over commitment to capital works at other campuses which have been adversely affected by the global economic downturn. Formore info go to http://studentssupportingthevustaff.blogspot.com/2008/12/nteu-stop-work-meeting-and-half-day.html

[JD]

anyone know the current status on this matter?
I havent herd much more and noone ive spoken to seems to either.

can someone shed anymore light on the subject.?
 

[Intheknow]

Ballarat University is coming into the Melton Campus - not much news on the front of Sunbury as yet. 

Suggest you contact local member or write to Deputy PM Julia Gillard if you want to voice against the closure.

Also check of the Friends of VU site out to keep abreast of the situation.

As for the comments on viability and number of students the management have ensured that it was becoming unviable by not promoting the campus and shifting courses from Sunbury and students being enrolled at Melton or FP yet attending Sunbury.   

[JD]

thanks for the info,