Overcrowding the issue for Auckland University

AUCKLAND UNIVERSITY STUDENTS' ASSOCIATION (INC.)

Media Release
27 February 2000

Overcrowding the issue for Auckland University

On the eve of classes starting for the new millennium Auckland University Students' Association President Kane Stanford has called on both University and Government officials to start working on plans to ensure that future increases in the Auckland University roll can be accommodated by the region's premier tertiary institution.

"At a time when students are being charged thousands of dollars a year in fees, I find it absolutely immoral that tomorrow some of them will not be able to find a seat in their lecture due to overcrowding," said Mr Stanford. "If the University is having trouble coping now, I hate to think what will happen when the population bulge hitting Auckland secondary schools arrives here in five years time," said Mr Stanford.

Mr Stanford believes that there are two important factors that contribute to the problem: staffing and lack of capital development. "Auckland University has 90% of the number of Equivalent Full Time Students as the University of Sydney, but only 65% of the budget and staff, clearly you can't expect the University to perform like a BMW when you have only budget for a Lada," said Mr Stanford.

"Over crowded lecture theaters is the most common complaint for first year students attending this institution and I hope that University and Government officials will listen to our calls" concluded Mr Stanford.

ENDS

For further Information Contact

Kane Stanford
President
Ph 309 0789 x 373
Cell 021 656 795

Stephanie Thompson
Acting Education Vice President
Ph 309 0798 x 204

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