Tokenism was one concern. Administrators' interpretations of what constituted 'success' by Indigenous students was another. Too often success in their terms is measured numerically. Success, these students reminded the delegates, is much more than completion of courses. One student talked not of the 'pass rate' but of the 'resistance rate'.
Attitude is still central.
Delegates were made aware of just how threatening it is for lecturers to ask Indigenous students to speak for others, as if Indigenous people are one group with one outlook. David Roberts of the University of South Australia added to the perspectives of Indigenous students. He provided information by giving the results of a questionnaire answered by 84 internal Indigenous students at the university. The importance of a lecturer's teaching skills and consistency in and appropriateness of methods of assessment were revealed as major concerns. What constitutes 'successful study' was also taken up by Bronwyn Ellis of the Whyalla campus of the University of South Australia.