From:	Natalie Joughin [NatalieJ@lhmu.org.au]
Sent:	Friday, 30 March 2001 11:24 AM
To:	eet.sen@aph.gov.au
Subject:	Re: Health and Quality Of Public Universities
I would like to take this opportunity to express my experiences while I was studying at Newcastle University.

From 1992-96 I studied Communications. It was extremely difficult once I graduated to find a job in the field I studied. I majored in video production and the equipment we were using was extremely out-dated and people in the industry would think it was a joke. When we asked if we could get new equipment we were told no! This was not only because the department didn't have enough money but also our budget was being cut AGAIN. I left university with a $10 000 HECS debt. I find it unacceptable that students have to pay so much money. What do they get in return? At Newcastle University we found out that all our money went into the Medicine Dept and the construction of a new administration building, and might I add there was a statue (very ugly) out the front which cost the uni thousands of dollars. By the way we did have a visual arts dept!

It was also extremely hard to live on Austudy so I gained p/time employment. Due to work, my studies started to suffer. One of my lecturers actually had a go at me for working and being a student. How else could I afford my expensive photography equipment that I had to have in order to complete my degree?

During my years at uni there were regular night time attacks on women (numerous rapes) which the uni responded to by saying we shouldn't walk around at night. A lecturer was accused of sexual harrassment (several times), and yet he still continued to work. 

In summary I was extremely disappointed at my experiences at university. I still don't believe it was money well spent. I believe it is the Governments responsibility to provide decent education and a learning environment which is safe and free from harrassment. Numerous times we aired our concerns to the uni but we were never listened to. These students are our future!

Thank you
Natalie Joughin
Lvl 7, 187 Thomas St
Haymarket NSW
Ph: 8204 7204