Uni Says No to Money-Burning Freedom Learning

by Julia Hollingsworth | 12:03 am 12/07/2010

Fears that the University of Otago is becoming a degree factory have been given more weight as interest-only enrolments will no longer accepted from 2011. Last year, 26 equivalent full-time students (EFTS) were enrolled as interest-only students, taking only one or two papers for recreational study.

This equates to about 100 to 150 students who would be unable to enrol for interest-only study next year.

Interest-only students are often retired. They rarely choose to sit exams, have the option of completing assignments or not, and do not pay student association and recreation levies. Irrespective of this, the interest-only EFTS contribute to the roll by which the Government allocates funding. The University has decided that instead, places should go to students who are completing a degree.

The move is one of many that have been made recently in a bid to cut down on enrolments at Otago in 2011. The University is currently stretched to capacity and has more students than it is funded for, meaning the University is understaffed and under-resourced. Last semester, the Otago University Council voted to place caps on enrolments for both second semester 2010 and next year. The caps are to be decided largely on the basis of academic merit, although there is some discretion for Maori lineage and exceptional circumstances. 

In addition to this change, Summer School places are being reduced by 50 EFTS and entry to five sub-degrees has been suspended. The sub-degree programmes in question are a certificate in fitness management, a certificate in sports studies, a certificate in theological studies, a diploma in sports studies, and a diploma in theological studies. All have low EFTS numbers, ranging from certificate in theatre studies with 0.8 EFTS, to a diploma in sports studies with 24.8 EFTS.

OUSA President Harriet Geoghegan says that the move is unfortunate but probably necessary. She hopes that the changes to Summer School will not interfere with the ability of students to complete degrees in a shorter period of time.

Earlier this year, the Government cut spending to community education, meaning night classes may not be a viable alternative for those who miss out on taking interest-only papers.

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