[Muanet] Students bullying academics

[Chris Latham]

We pay, you pay: bullying students turn on academics
Hannah Edwards and Chantal Rumble
November 12, 2006
Sunday Age
STUDENTS angry that they have failed exams and assignments are bullying
university academics, the National Tertiary Education Union says.
Standover tactics, emotional blackmail and emails are the most common
forms of bullying, but some academics have been stalked and forced to
take out apprehended violence orders to protect themselves from enraged
students, the union says.
Union policy and research officer Andrew Nette said the increase in
staff bullying was no surprise given the growing pressures on students.
"We are treating students increasingly like customers and they are
acting increasingly like customers, and when a customer pays for
something they expect to get it," Mr Nette said.
Falling Federal Government funding and a reduction in services following
the introduction of voluntary student unionism was adding to the
pressure, he said.
A senior Sydney academic, who did not want to be named, said fears for
her safety meant she did not have one-on-one meetings with some students
who were contesting their mark.
"Students can become very aggressive and disgruntled about their
results," she said.
"The notion that you can actually fail something has become ...
anathema. It's very high stakes. The financial pressures are so great.
If they fail a course and have to redo it they can be up for several
thousands more and they may not be able to progress to the next level."
One source said the problem was particularly bad with foreign students,
who were under more pressure to pass due to much higher course fees.
Following several serious incidents overseas, a survey will soon be
launched in Britain to gauge the extent of the problem.

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