Canterbury Vice Chancellor proposes 45% fee hike

Press Release
Unversity of Canterbury Students Association

Canterbury Vice Chancellor proposes 45% fee increase

The University of Canterbury Vice Chancellor, Daryl Le Grew, is proposing an average 45% fee increase to go to the Academic Board tomorrow. The amount collected from students will go from $27.6 million in 1999 to $40.1 million in 2000 in his proposal released 22 hours prior to the crucial Academic Board meeting.

"This makes a mockery of so-called academic freedom and notions of evidence-based discourse that the Vice-Chancellor speaks when criticising others", said Students' Association President Darel Hall.

"With 22 hours notice students have to challenge evidence and construct sensible arguments for this proposal that significantly differs from the recommendation from the Vice-Chancellor's Budget Advisory Committee. That committee recommended an average fee increase of 31% which was already far too much given that government funding to the University will increase in 2000 by $700 000".

The committee recommended collecting an extra $8.6 million from students in 2000.

"I have heard a lot of academics complaining to me privately about what the Vice Chancellor is trying to justify here, but I have seen precious little action. It's about time they exercised their academic freedom muscles in their own backyard and not just in the safety of criticising the government. It's time to put up or shut up as far as Canterbury students are concerned".

ENDS

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