DEAKIN University’s student association (DUSA) has launched a social media campaign to save Warrnambool’s campus.
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DUSA’s #DUSA4WARRNAMBOOL video campaign is petitioning to keep a regional tertiary campus in the city.
A six-minute video produced by DUSA shares students’ stories and highlights the potential consequences the loss of a tertiary education campus would have on rural communities.
Deakin is currently in discussions with Federation University about the the future of the campus.
DUSA student resident Matthew McDonald said there had been a lot of anxiety among the student body over the past couple of months.
“Losing tertiary education in Warrnambool would be devastating to the students and the local community,” Mr McDonald said.
“We want Deakin to stay in the region, and (with the video) we wanted to provide students with the opportunity to tell their stories and show everyone the true value of the campus."
He said DUSA had been working extensively over the past eight weeks to give a voice and presence to the Warrnambool student body.
The #DUSA4WARRNAMBOOL campaign spoke to more than 30 Deakin Warrnambool students as well as businesses including Sinclair Wilson.
DUSA Warrnambool campus co-ordinator Peg O’Keefe said students at the city campus wanted the university to retain the riverside campus.
“Student associations are here to represent the student voice and our Warrnambool students need to be heard,” Ms O’Keefe said.
“Their stories, struggles and triumphs are what shape and create the essence of Warrnambool.
“If these opportunities were to leave Warrnambool, where year 12 attainment rates are well below the national average, we could potentially see increasing numbers of high school students discouraged from completing VCE. Then what future does that leave for the community?”
DUSA’s campaign kicks off in the same week a newly formed group has encouraged people to take up studying at the campus.
The Regional Tertiary Advisory Group (RTAG) is hoping a spike in mid-year enrolments will help send a message to a prospective provider and highlight the community’s support for the campus. Deakin’s vice chancellor Jane den Hollander also urged students to consider the campus as a study option. People can find the #DUSA4WARRNAMBOOL pledge online at http://bit.ly/dusa4warrnambool