butterpaper forums > architecture  »   Read this before anyone considered going to UNSW-FBE

Hey FBERocks,

Bad day? :D

Have a captain cook at www.archsoc.com. I think you may enjoy it

As a grad, not of that uni, it is quite "refreshing" now that a new generation of HECS (oh it is HELPS now what the?!!!!) are becoming demanding of their post-paid for education. Resos in 5th year nah man that is silly, 2nd/3rd year, unless it is a international comp. Is it?

I am amazed about the changes that have been going on in regards to BA-Masters changes. Interestingly you are concerned about people getting two diplomas....there is the other side that the "pros" are pissed that "students" are getting a masters for what they only recevied a BA or Dip for....

Interestingly I am surpised about the lack of "MAJOR" protest uprising etc about the fact that Masters will be a POST GRAD course and that you have to pay up front, and all students enrolled in POST GRAD are not eligible for any Austudy Youth Allowance Rent Assistance etc etc......

One thing though....does having a Lasercutter determine if your university is a fantastic school. Mine did by the way and you do not mention it. I could say the same old vomit about schools being the students and making the most of education la-di-da. But dont want to wind you up on a shitty day.I think I am more concerned that you dont have a library to speak off..... :shock:

PS. you could always throw the resi back in their faces:
a) camp in a tent on site for the semester document it as an installation piece. uni has only a digital library, then have a webcam and insist that your tutes occur on line.
b) create the ultimate mega mcmansion, just how much wasted space can you design/largest building envelope, most stupidest jones next door one up man ship you can muster.
c) build 1:1 model our of cardboard in the foyer at FBE and live in it for the semester, or even that space with the huge steps/slash seating
d) do an exchange to the unis you want to go to overseas
e) piss off travelling
f) drink
g) have a stupid amout of fun with it- have a wonk-a-vator out of CCF, swimming pools in the living room, all the amazing stuff you did as kid in primary school when you had the wonderful assignment of drawing the plans to your own dream house. Mine had a pool outside my bedroom door....swim to tea....
h) design a stand for a massive screen on site and travel sending video logs back that are projected around the clock...even better the old fashioned slide show...



Look enough of the sillys. You are obviously very pissed off at the moment.
And we here are your outlet. Once you have cooled off try the following.

If everyone else in your class is of the same thoughts about this project. Do something. Have a meeting of your class , get all the crap and aggro out of the way, get a spokesperson and/or student rep, identify the problem, have a couple of propisals for solution. Get spokey and one or two others and book some time with your HOS and sought it out.

Let us know how it goes and if you need any more headcracking!!!

I am off to the pub!

Just to summarize.


Fact one: We have absolutely no resources available to the student. All we have are two color A3 printers and pentium 4s with 20% of the software USYD has. No lazer cutter, no model making facilities, no permanent studios.

Fact two: Our student resource centre and architectural library just closed down and all the books were GIVEN away for free. In its place is a 'materials library'....Ie carpet samples and brochures.

Fact 3: The degree is being changed over to a 3 year bachelors and 2 year masters. Let me explain that. At the end of 3 years We will get 'whatever we decide to give you'-Im quoting our program head there. But that 3 years course will not be a professional degree. we will then have to do 2 years of 'masters' after which we get our professional degree.

this 2 year masters will mean that local student WONT get AUSTUDY, of course it wont make a difference to international students. There for i deduce that this is a ploy to get more international students, and all the money that comes from that. the FBE obviously cant compete with USYD and other universities so this is their last attempt.


Fact 4: our program head said ' after 3 years, you will get whatever we decide to give you, but it wont be a professional degree'. I find that disgusting and really unprofessional. this was said during a meeting with students.


Fact 5: our dear program head is teaching a suburban housing studio for GRADUATION DESIGN and hes presentation looked like it was done on word.


Fact 6: ....fuck, do you need anymore?l

um . . . what's an FBE?

FBE = Faculty Built Environment

Then course was six years (longer than Medicine) part-time and held down a full time job to boot. The only HECs then was caleld WORK, we learn't on the job.

Well don't I feel ripped off? My current course structure is exactly like your course of old Ron, but not only does my university rely on my work placement to teach me everything...I have to pay exorbitant amounts for it too!