Take a look at the photos of the protest here.http://bit.ly/1qPG56s
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COLLEGE students will protest this morning in response to what they say has been a “lack of transparency and communication” regarding the future of two colleges.
Events over the past week sparked by the process of heritage listing Robb College have left students angry and confused.
Management at the University of New England originally decided to close the Drummond and Smith College and move the Robb residents into the building, leaving the Drummond residents with a choice to live in the interim Robb College or move to Duval.
Following student backlash from both colleges, UNE’s executive director of operations Rob Irving said the decision was then made to co-locate the colleges in the Drummond and Smith building. The university further clarified in a blog post: “Before the ultimate decision to co-locate Robb College within Drummond and Smith College was made, the possibility of renaming Drummond and Smith College as the interim Robb College was considered and communicated to students. After consultation with students, however, this proposal was deemed unsatisfactory.
“UNE sincerely apologises for any confusion that has arisen due to this change of direction.”
An open letter from concerned students from the university’s colleges and its community said this decision had been “reached without any consultation with the students.
Although recent events have sparked these actions, they fall into a broader context of ongoing discontent, and concerns about future trajectories,” it read.
“It speaks to a history of autocratic governance within the university.
“Our protest is around the apparent disregard shown to our interests, and the lack of respect signalled by our being excluded from the decision-making process.”
A meeting was held on Wednesday between the vice-chancellor Annabelle Duncan and the students, which addressed the university’s decision.
A spokeswoman for the university said yesterday: “While the university respects concerns raised by students, the vice-chancellor explained that ultimately managerial decisions, such as the decision to temporarily co-locate Robb College in the interests of student safety, need to be made by UNE senior management”.
The response did not address the issues raised in the letter.
Students will undertake the peaceful protest march from Elm Avenue up to Booloolminbah at 9.30am.