JCNN’s Sophie Dillon caught up with local residents on Castle Hill to find out what they want updated and changed on the hill.

By Domanii Cameron

The Queensland State Government has failed to give James Cook University any reason as to why an Indigenous Representative was not appointed to the University’s Council.

It is the first time in almost 20 years that there has been an absence of indigenous representation on the Council.

JCU Council Secretary Michael Kern says it is a very disappointing matter.

“We were given no reason as to why someone wasn’t appointed,” Kern says.

“On this occasion, the government actually didn’t support our nominations, which is quite unusual.

“The two previous governments did support the recommendations.

“We have a pretty gold star process on how we choose [a candidate].

“It is very annoying.”

Mr Kern says, however,  JCU has no statutory obligations to have an indigenous representative in Council.

“The Council can still do its job.

“However it is just really important for us and the university to have an Indigenous person participating in decision making at the highest level.”

The Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Reference Group are working on developing a process that could help ensure that an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander representative will be appointed in the future.

“So really now, the only avenue left for the university would be through its additional member and because of all the uncertainty that was going on in the lead up to the transitional hand over period, the Chancellor asked the Council to extend the appointment of the current additional member, Mr Ernie Landy through to the end of 2014,” Kern says.

“So potentially at the end of this process, and we now know who’s on the council.

“If there was no Indigenous representative and the Council thought that it was very important, they could well move to seek to appoint a new representative but it would require quite a deal of lobbying and support.

“I think we’re the second highest university with Indigenous enrolments.

“I think it’s a valid question to ask; why don’t we have a representative.”

Eddie Koiko Mabo Library at JCU. PHOTO CREDIT: Google Images

JCU is the only university in the Western Hemisphere who has a main library named after an indigenous member of the community.

Former advisor to the Vice Chancellor on Indigenous matters and current Adjunct Professor at JCU Gracelyn Smallwood says she is disappointed that not many people are investigating into the matter more.

“I think it’s very sad that there’s not too many people kicking up about it actually,” Smallwood says.

“I am extremely disappointed especially where there is such a major disparity between educational outcomes, between Indigenous and Non-Indigenous Australians which is why there’s such a big promotion in government and non-government institutions about closing the gap.”

Smallwood says she is displeased regarding the current political climate.

“I would strongly advise the Council to ask why there isn’t an Indigenous representative.”

JCU Chancellor John Grey says he wasn’t impressed by the decision either.

“I think its very disappointing that we don’t have an Indigenous representative at the moment and that was the decision by the government,” Grey says.

“I’m not impressed by that especially considering our dedication towards reconciliation.”

The newly elected board members of JCU’s Council are planning to focus on new student developments during their four-year term.

By Domanii Cameron

James Cook University officially welcomed the new JCU Council board members at the 16^th Annual Council Induction last Wednesday.

The induction of the members was held at the School of Creative Arts courtyard.

Secretary of Council Michael Kern says the Council proposes to set up a Student Focus Subcommittee.

“The council has already decided that it may create some new committees and subcommittees,” Mr Kern says.

“It would include a Student Focus Subcommittee and a Risk Subcommittee.”

Kern says the subcommittees will be welcomed as a refreshing new initiative by students.

“We’ve always wanted a student focus subcommittee and it’s really hard because if you read the JCU Act, it very rarely mentions students,” Mr Kern says.

“It’s a very exciting development.

“Having a Student Focus Subcommittee will be amazing.”

JCU’s Council has proposals for a new student subcommittee. PHOTO CREDIT: JCU Website

With the 2014 Budget announcing that universities may soon be able to charge independent prices on courses, JCU may find itself a part of a more competitive market.

JCU Chancellor John Grey says to combat this, the Council needs to ensure that the University maintains a high international reputation.

“What students are looking for is value for money and what they’re looking for are very clever teachers and researchers,” Mr Grey says.

“We already have an international reputation in a number of areas including marine science and sustainable ecologies and so on.

“Those things are a big plus,” he says.

The Chancellor says having students on Council is very important.

“There are two reasons we have students on Council.

“One is to have student input but also because it’s a wonderful opportunity for students to see the governance of a very large organisation with high dollar values, so they learn a lot out of it.”

The Chancellor says the elected students have been very enthusiastic.

“They’ve been a bit amazed by the complexity of it because it’s beyond anything so far that they’ve run into, but they have been very enthusiastic and eager to learn,” he says.

Student Council member Laura Walker says her primary goal is to represent JCU’s student body.

“I was elected by the students,” she says.

“That’s my role within Council and I will always be open to students coming up to me.

“I’m looking forward to what’s to come.”

Elected student member Edward Harridge who is a Business and Law student says to help address issues that may arise out of the proposed 2014 Budget, JCU can be made more appealing by focusing on quality.

“Focusing on quality in its areas of comparative advantage like marine biology and marine sciences and that sort of thing will help,” Mr Harridge says.

“For areas like law and business however where there is a lot of competition, JCU doesn’t have an advantage and it will have to compete on price.

“There will have to be more efficiency on those particular areas.”

Both Edward and Laura agree that parking is a popular issue when campaigning.

“We could remove some of the overzealous issuing of parking fines,” Mr Harridge says.

“There is plenty of room outside of the library for parking and also near the Creative Arts building.

“There certainly isn’t a shortage of space.”

Fellow elected student member Mark Dodge was unavailable to speak at the induction.

To raise any issues with the student members, you can contact them  here.

JCU has elected three new students to the JCU Council Board.

 By Steven Ross

The appointment of three students to the 16^th Council of James Cook University has given the student body further voice in JCU governance matters.

The biennial election for the Council of James Cook University took place last month with any enrolled student allowed to run for a position and/or vote.

CHANGE: JCU Council member Edward Harridge looks to make numerous moves during his two year tenure.

Of the 22 Council members, the university allocates three positions to be filled by students; one undergraduate, one postgraduate and a hybrid title which allows the candidate with the third highest ballot tally to be either an undergraduate or postgraduate student.

A key topic of the elections was the issue of vehicle parking around the university.

Parking is an ongoing issue for Townsville students due to high vehicle numbers, and is recognised by both Undergraduate Member Edward Harridge and Member Laura Walker.

“My number one priority is to improve the inadequate parking situation on campus,” Harridge says.

“This university is fortunate to have significant amounts of spare and underutilised space that can be allocated to parking.

“Much of this can be done immediately simply by reigning in the excesses of the parking fine regime,” he says.

Harridge suggests rezoning areas around the university such as the no-standing zone along the road that leads to the gym.

“Why should people who may have been looking for a park for twenty minutes or more be fined for parking in an area which endangers no one?” Harridge says.

The newly elected candidate is also campaigning to lift the constraints on Uni Club and adjust the distribution of SSA Fee funds.

“The restrictions on Uni Club operating hours imposed by the university should be eased,” he said.

“It’s not appropriate to punish everyone for the actions of a tiny minority.

“Much of the SSA Fee is wasted, for example $100,000 each year on providing GP services that the government, through Medicare already provides for free.

“$76,000 is spent on improving information and advice on university rules and procedures,” he says.

Laura Walker says the concept of a student’s say at the top level of university management is imperative towards the development of the university.

OUR SAY: Laura Walker says students need someone fighting for them.

“It’s important that students have a say in governance matters at JCU as we are all directly affected by these decisions,” Walker says.

“We (as Council members) have just as much influence as anyone else if we put a strong case forward and represent the interests of the students.”

Holding the postgraduate position is Cairns-based Mark Dodge who is completing a Masters of Business Administration.

In light of recent reports that inflation is rising at a higher rate than wages, Dodge’s goal of financial stability for postgraduates is a timely one.

“I would like to provide a strong voice for the postgraduate community at JCU,” he says.

“The cost of study has increased above the cost of living over my time at university and I would like to see the growth in expenses slowed more to reflect a student’s ability to pay.”