Other unis urge Murdoch to offer free time

by Gloria Phua

May 9, 2008

GUILD representatives in other WA Universities agree with a petition by the Murdoch Guild for the university to institute common free time on the campus.

Currently the only university in WA without a common free time period, a petition has been organised by the Murdoch guild to “allow students to spend time engaging in educational and social activities outside the classroom”.

“It is a time when students and staff are able to meet up and either socialise, or do further work,” said Curtin University’s Guild President, Collette Swindells.

Curtin University’s common free time was instituted in 1969. Edith Cowan University recently hopped on the common free time bandwagon.

“Since the institution of the common free time in early 2006, students have been able to engage and immerse themselves in student life and culture,” said Edith Cowan University’s Guild President, Shane Cucow.

Usually only one or two hours a week where no classes are scheduled, feedback regarding the on-going petition by the guild has been tepid.

“I think we already have adequate free time as it is, and I doubt people will specifically use the time for social interactions” said Murdoch journalism student, Wen Xing Ho.

Another budding Murdoch journo’, Enrico Ventura, disagreed. 

“I think it’s good that a specific time is given to work on interactions within faculty and interfaculty in order to build a cohesive learning environment,” he said.

Murdoch mass communications lecturer Sharon Delmege is also unsure about the benefits of common free time.

“It’ll be useful to have the time,” Dr Delmege said, “but I’m not sure if it’ll actually work.”

The Murdoch Guild President was not around for comment. The petition is online at www.guild.murdoch.edu.au/campaigns.