STUDENTS at Murdoch University’s Rockingham campus have voiced their anger after it was announce undergraduate courses would not be held there from next year.
Undergraduate programs in the School of Education will be consolidated to the South Street campus from semester one, 2015.
Murdoch University Vice Chancellor professor Richard Higgott said there had been an extensive review and the campus would be refocused to concentrate on research and university pathway programs.
The move prompted backlash from students and petition against the changes has already gained more than 220 signatures.
A Facebook page titled Murdoch Students to Stay at Rockingham was also created and now has more than 300 ‘likes’.
In comments on the petition, several students wrote how travelling to South Street to continue their education would be “near impossible” due to work or family commitments.
Mandurah mother of four Natalie King said she was devastated to learn about the changes as it meant she wasn’t sure if she would be able to continue her degree.
“I’m half way through my first semester and now I’m thinking about whether I can afford to continue,” she said.
“Before the semester started I thought about whether I could go to South Street but I have young children and I need to be able to get to them quickly in an emergency.
“If class finishes at 5pm and I need to get them from day care by 6pm it will be really hard.
“I chose Rockingham because I didn’t want to do my degree externally – I feel I grasp concepts better in a classroom environment.”
Ms King said she was also concerned about other students she knew who already had long travel routes to Rockingham from Dawesville and Pinjarra.
Professor Higgott said the university’s first priority was to ensure current and future students continued to receive an excellent learning experience.
“The fact is, the majority of our students from the Rockingham area are actually studying at our South Street campus where there is a full range of courses on offer and a much more vibrant campus life.”
“We believe that delivering all Education Programs at the South Street Campus will benefit students by providing them with access to a vibrant campus life, a more holistic student experience and better access to health, medical, sporting and recreational facilities, pastoral care, career and other student support services.”
A university spokesperson said low enrolment numbers at the campus were one factor considered in the change and financial support of $500 per student per year of the remainder of their full time degree will be available for students affected by the move.
Mandurah MLA said he had been contacted by students frustrated over the decision as it would make it hard to finish their degrees.
“Many people from Mandurah opted to study at Rockingham for its proximity to their home and work commitments.” Mr Templeman said.
“These students are telling me that changes to their daily commute times and increase in the cost of accessing South Street Campus may result in some of them having to withdraw from university studies.
“I am very concerned that this change comes at a time when Mandurah has a very high youth unemployment rate and the Abbott Government is introducing massive changes to Centrelink benefits for people aged 18 and 30.
“It could have a very detrimental effect on many of this region’s young people.