The Bankstown Student Campus Council and the National Union of Students strongly condemn the actions taken by the Western Sydney University Board of Trustees and the Department of Western Growth that have led to the decision to close the Bankstown (Milperra) Campus by 2020-21. Despite multiple attempts by the student body to open a dialogue regarding the decision and future plans for the Liverpool and Bankstown CBD Campuses, the University has continued to engage in a non-transparent or consultative manner on the project.

Students have raised a number of serious concerns that will impact students as early as 2018; with the opening of the Liverpool CBD Campus. Concerns included mobility access, campus security, availability of student services, and most importantly the lack of communication from both the University and the Department of Western Growth that have left many students uncertain or unaware of the future changes to their courses.

“Students were not consulted before a decision was reached by the Board of Trustees, nor were they aware such a decision was even on the table. They were then advised by the Vice-Chancellor that the campus would be closed within five years, and several courses would be moved to Liverpool as early as next year.” said Bankstown Student Campus Council Chair, Oliver Pocock.

The Bankstown Student Campus Council has made numerous attempts to work with the University to address the serious concerns raised by students. Despite hosting numerous student forums, many of the invited staff did not accept the invitation to attend these sessions which would have been an opportunity to respond to the students’ concerns. The Department of Western Growth then arranged a forum for the week of the mid-semester study break, being fully aware that students would not be on campus to attend.

A letter of complaint was then sent to the office of Vice-Chancellor Barney Glover, outlining the exact concerns of students and the problems experienced list of actions the Bankstown Student Campus Council with the Department of Western Growth.

“This letter received no response, and a similar letter sent by a representative of the Disability Collective was simply redirected to Western Growth, who provided a response that did not address any of the grievances outlined. Therefore, members of the Bankstown Student Campus Council have made the decision to escalate the situation.”

The Bankstown Student Campus Council will be holding a student protest regarding both the ongoing lack of consultation and the on Wednesday, October 18 at the Bankstown Campus from 12PM. This action has received the support of both the Western Sydney University branch of the National Tertiary Education Union and the National Union of Students.

“Students pay thousands of dollars to study at WSU and for the University to act in a manner completely contrary to the interest of students is a breach of its’ responsibility to provide a high quality education experience. The National Union of Students will fight alongside the students at WSU until the University responds to very serious concerns raised by the Bankstown Campus Council.” said NUS President, Sophie Johnston.
Sophie Johnston National President | National Union of Students