Lincoln University Council voted today to increase domestic course fees by 4% for 2012.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Roger Field says “there are a number of factors that influence the decision to increase student fees, and such a decision is never taken lightly. Obviously our costs are a key component and the University is no different to other organisations in that we face increases across the board - from wages to insurance and pretty much everything in between. We have undertaken a major review of costs and this is helping with the financial deficit we are currently carrying, but this can only go so far to counter the increased costs due to the earthquakes and general cost-of-living increments.
“The earthquakes have had an impact on students, staff and infrastructure. While the physical campus has been lucky compared to other areas in Canterbury, we have faced the same issues as other organisations in terms of confidence in the region and short- and longer-term disruption to services that require additional expenditure to compensate for.
“Lincoln University’s specialist nature means that our staff are harder to recruit and our courses are expensive to run. Having said that, we have worked very hard over the years to ensure our fees stay affordable by New Zealand standards, opening up the specialist fields we work in to as wide a group of students as possible. This fee increase will not change that.”
Lincoln University continues to offer a comprehensive portfolio of scholarships to assist students with the cost of their time at Lincoln.
The University is not using the opportunity to increase fees as a means of compensating for changes in student enrolments. While there has been a drop in numbers in 2011 as an immediate response to the seismic activity, the University is putting a great deal of resource into recruitment for the coming year and is confident that enrolments are tracking well.
“Lincoln University’s success lies in the specialist nature of the courses on offer and the whole student experience. It is very important that we always continue to enhance the level of teaching, learning, research, and student support that is expected at Lincoln University,” says Vice-Chancellor Prof Roger Field. “The University offers an exciting and unique path to any young person’s future and to continue to do that we need to constantly monitor the student experience while remaining financially viable and responsible.”
The University Council has undertaken to work closely with LUSA (Lincoln University Student Association) to ensure the social support and advocacy services that are provided to students continue.