A top vice-chancellor warns on housing costs. By Jewel Topsfield.
STUDENT housing costs are an insurmountable financial burden for many poor and indigenous students, according to Australian National University vice-chancellor Ian Chubb.
His warning came as the body representing the country's 38 universities, Universities Australia, called on the Federal Government to consider dropping the age of independence for Youth Allowance and Austudy from 25 to 18.
A study found children from wealthy families are three times more likely to attend university than those from low socio-economic backgrounds.
Professor Chubb said last week the policy of restricting Austudy to those aged 25 or older would be a "silly outcome" in the future.
"The level of student income has not kept pace with the cost of living, especially with the spiralling accommodation costs," Professor Chubb told a conference of college and university housing officers.
"The tight rental market in many cities is causing severe problems for large numbers of students who need to move to study at the institution that offers the course of their choice."
Professor Chubb said the accommodation problems worsened an already grim situation where:
· 71% of undergraduates averaged 14.8 hours of paid work a week;
· one student in eight regularly goes without food because they are so broke;
· the proportion of students able to receive Youth Allowance or Austudy has fallen by one sixth since 2000;
· 40% of full-time undergraduates say paid work harms their studies and one in four are taking out loans to meet living costs.
Professor Chubb said the student income support system had not been properly reviewed by the Government since 1992 and there was an urgent need for reform.
"It is hard to disagree with a Senate inquiry that found in 2005 that income support for students had suffered from policy neglect and bureaucratic inertia."
Not being willing or able to borrow enough money should never be the major barrier to higher education in a civilised society, he said.
Universities Australia also called on the Federal Government to set equity targets, with financial incentives for universities to recruit and retain poor students.
The National Union of Students said the Government needed to improve income support to address the perception that going to university means living in poverty.
"Again and again we hear stories about students missing classes in order to work excessive hours to pay rent and cover basic living expenses," said president Angus McFarland.
Federal Education Minister Julia Gillard said students must not be excluded from higher education on the basis of their socio-economic background, gender, disability or geography.
"I will consider the recommendations with interest," Ms Gillard said.
"Many of the issues raised, including a review of income support arrangements, government support for equity programs at university, and social inclusion strategies for higher education, will be examined in the Review of Higher Education."
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