Canterbury student levy blatant money grabbing

Alliance Party media release FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Friday 3 July 2009

The Alliance Party of New Zealand says the drastic increases in the student services levy about to be charged to Canterbury University students is a deliberate money grabbing tactic.

“It is terrible that a public tertiary institution would increase this type of fee from $85 to $600,” says Alliance Tertiary Education Spokesperson Richard Mitchell.

“This is purely a money grabbing exercise by the University”.

Canterbury University Vice-Chancellor Rod Carr says the increase is required to ensure quality of education in a capped funding environment.

Mr Mitchell says this increase provides further proof that a capped funding environment does not work.
Institutions needs to be funded adequately to ensure they can deliver the services being required of them.”

Mr Mitchell says such moves will put further barriers in the way of students from low to middle income backgrounds.

The Alliance Party of New Zealand would introduce a full-funded public tertiary education system through progressive taxation.

ENDS