"Government intransigence" is to blame for a "reluctant but necessary" 4.4 percent increase in domestic fees at Lincoln University for 2006, says Vice-Chancellor Professor Roger Field.
The University Council confirmed the increase - an average across all subjects - at a meeting today. (18 Oct.)
"The Government's intransigent attitude to the eroding effect of inflation on the ability of universities to provide the level of services expected of them puts institutions in a very difficult position," says Professor Field.
"Already a number of institutions are applying to the Tertiary Education Commission to exceed the Government-imposed 5 percent fee increase maximum and seek increases of up to 10 percent".
"At 4.4 percent Lincoln University's increase is probably at the modest end of the spectrum nationally, but I have to say there was a compelling case for Lincoln University also to consider applying for an increase of greater than 5 percent".
"This University, however, takes student concerns about fees very seriously".
"The 4.4 percent increase is a carefully worked out figure that takes into account the views of the students themselves, who have input to the fee-setting process through representation on the University Council and its Fees Task Force".
"As public institutions, New Zealand's universities face two significant obligations".
"We must meet the Government's own expectation that through teaching and research we contribute to the Knowledge Economy and the 'national good', and we must also meet the expectation of our client body, our students, that we provide them with an internationally competitive standard of education and an internationally credible qualification".
"Neither can be done adequately on an income undermined by fiscal parsimony," says Professor Field.
"The Government's contribution to student component funding will increase by 2.6 percent over the next 12 months, but with inflation in the university sector running at significantly more than 3.4 percent any benefit is immediately lost".
"We regret the need to increase fees for 2006 but unfortunately we have little option if we are to maintain the quality of our teaching, research and services".
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
Ian Collins, Journalist
Lincoln University, Canterbury
Tel: 64 3 325 2811 ext 8549
Email: Ian Collins