Student Fees Go Up; Council Member Resigns

THE AUCKLAND UNIVERSITY STUDENTS' ASSOCIATION (INC.)

TE ROOPU TAUIRA O TE WHARE WAANANGA O TAMAKI MAKAURAU

Private Bag 92019, Auckland 34 Princes Street

Telephone: 309-0789 Auckland

Fax: 356-5950

email: ausa@auckland.ac.nz

Student Fees Go Up; Council Member Resigns

The University Council at Auckland approved a proposal this afternoon that will see fees rise by, on average, 10.9% per student. Students attempted to enter dialogue with the Council until they adjourned the meeting and relocated behind closed doors.

"This is fitting end to the undemocratic and non consultative process in which fees have been set this year," commented Auckland University Students Association Education Vice President, Eva Neitzert. "Council are the highest decision making body in the University, and yet they were presented with only one budget 'option', in a move from the past where they were presented with a range of possibilities. They are nothing more than a rubber stamping body to the Vice Chancellor, John Hood," she concluded.

One of the two student representatives on Council, Sarah Lee, resigned at the meeting in disgust at the farcical nature of the budget process and the lack of understanding that Council members seemed to have of students' problems.

"I can no longer stomach sitting on a body which displays a complete lack of regard for the real impact which their decisions have on students at this institution," said Ms Lee. "This University is failing to serve the needs of it's local community by forcing students out of education through ever increasing fees, and refusing to publicly condemn the Governments continual cuts in tertiary education funding."

Whilst fees have risen by an average of 10.9%, some students are being hit harder than others. "Medical Students have had their fees rise from $7,980 to $9,646. That's an increase of nearly 21 per cent," said Sam Huggard, Administration Vice President.

"This is clearly unacceptable. Many students enrolling in Medicine will have started their degrees when fees were under $3,000, and are now finding themselves left in the lurch," concluded Sam Huggard.

Contacts:

Sarah Lee Eva Neitzert Sam Huggard (Former) Council member Education Vice Pres. Administrative Vice Pres. 025 358 929 021 665 139, 309 0789 x 204 309 0789 x 203

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