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FORGE PRESS Friday September 17 2010

NEWS UNIVERSITY

Draft Browne review sees fees rise

Matt Burgess A draft Government report into the funding of higher education has suggested that the tuition fee cap should be removed. The Browne Review, an independent review into Higher Education funding, is due to be published in October. It is said to favour higher tuition fees instead of a graduate tax paid after finishing university, according to reports. A source close to the review has claimed that the proposals would establish a competitive market for universities and cause fees to rise to between 6,000 and 7,000. The proposals defy Business Secretary Vince Cables suggestion of a graduate tax. If introduced by the government, they could mean that students will leave university with debts of 25,000. Union Finance Officer Tom Hastings said: Our current funding system for higher education is deeply unfair in many ways. A rise in tuition fees is a worst case scenario and a worrying concept. It would impede many students from coming to University in the future. It would possibly trap students into making decisions based primarily on price, rather than the course that they actually want to study. If the choice were between a free market in higher education, with drastically increased tuition fees or a graduate tax, the latter would be a more welcome option. We will have to wait for the details of any proposed option to know the precise effect on students. We are sincerely hoping that the government will adopt a model which puts the interests of students and their education first. This issue is one of the key priorities for all of the student officers this year. The review, led by former BP Chief Executive Lord Browne of Madingley, has taken responses from all organisations involved with higher education in a bid to find the fairest option. Earlier this year the review met with students at the University. The government plans to have a bill in place for changes to University fee structures in Autumn 2011.

5million Union opens its doors after rebuild

The old Union was transformed between November 2009 and September 2010. News Editors Students can enjoy the newly renovated Union after building work was officially completed on September 1. The project cost 5million and began in November 2009. A new main entrance was added to the front of the building The Students Union Shop has benefitted from an expansion and a new range of Fairtrade products. The Glossop Road entrance to Bar One has been altered to allow disabled students access. Students Union President Josh Forstenzer said: Im very impressed by the transformation produced by the building works. With a superb new front entrance, our Union now clearly stands as a landmark building in Sheffield. I am very excited at the prospect of helping students put their mark on the renovated part of the building and truly showing

Photos: Helen Munro (top), Sam Bennett (bottom) to their city, and gain important skills for their CV. Volunteering is also for personal development, and to feel part of something bigger, and is really exciting and rewarding. The Union website and logo also have a new look for the start of this academic year. Finance Officer Tom Hastings said: Its our students that make the building what it is and so we are really excited to be welcoming our students back again, both old and new.

that this building is a space for students to express their creativity to the fullest. Activities Officer Rachel Colley said she was delighted with the changes to the Unions volunteering space, the Source. SheffieldVolunteerings office is now a key component to the new space. I hope it will encourage many more student to seek it out and view the 200 fantastic options to help out in the wider Sheffield community, give something back

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EdiTOR

Helen Lawson

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