THE AUCKLAND UNIVERSITY STUDENTS' ASSOCIATION (INC.)
TE ROOPU TAUIRA O TE WHARE WAANANGA O TAMAKI MAKAURAU

Dear Sir/Madam

We regret to inform you that as of 28th March 2007 student debt will reach $9 billion. To mourn this fateful day, the Auckland University Students Association is holding a memorial service to commemorate the death of a universal, free, publicly funded and high quality tertiary education system.
We invite you to spend this hallowed day with us- those who the past and current governments have taken for granted as an easy revenue source.
The service will held in the university student union quad on 28th March at 12pm. At this service, students will call on the government to ‘bury the debt’ – make positive changes to the status quo and move towards a free, well-funded tertiary education system.

After the service a free BBQ will be provided, followed by up and coming band, Hogwild.

Background – Borrowing to live means debt for life
The key driver of this debt is the fact that students are the only group in society forced to borrow to live. The lack of student allowance eligibility has forced many students to take out a loan to cover such necessary costs such as accommodation, transport, medical expenses and food. Furthermore, the current system penalises students who are forced to leave home to pursue educational opportunities. Finally the user-pays public education system, and the notion that the student is a consumer and education a product, fails to acknowledge and recognise the social, cultural and economic advantages that a society gains when a large majority of its citizens have open and free access to public tertiary education.

Yours sincerely,

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