News

Enrolments in tertiary institutions are increasing beyond sustainable levels, causing both Otago and Victoria to take measures to limit them.
At Otago, enrolments for semester two are to be capped, with further caps for next year in the works.

The caps were part of a recommendation from the Senate that was passed by the University Council on Tuesday last week. 
The caps are a result of the University’s enrolment growth, which is running at 4.4 percent more equivalent full-time students (EFTS) than there were at the same point last year. The University faces breaching the Tertiary Education Commission’s (TEC) 103 percent growth funding cap for domestic EFTS, which would mean approximately 550- 650 EFTS would be unfunded. 
The caps will apply only to open entry undergraduate and sub-degree programs. It is not clear how many prospective students will be affected by this, but loose estimates are around 100-200. 
Vice Chancellor Sir Professor Skegg says that up until now, the University has had a liberal policy, with the residential colleges providing an effective cap. However over the past years, there has been a steady increase in enrolments, which greatly accelerated over the last two years in particular. “Otago University is in a difficult situation.” 
Sir Professor Skegg says that the increase puts a “clear pressure on resources.” The ratio between academic staff and students is deteriorating, and there are constraints on accommodation and University facilities. Not only can the University not afford more staff, but if they were to employ more staff, there would be no space to accommodate them. 
The proposed cap involves a priority system for allotting available places. First priority goes to those who are already enrolled. Sir Professor Skegg says that the proposal will not affect any students currently enrolled, as “they have an absolute right to do what they wanted to do.” Second priority is to those who had registered prior to April 28. Third priority goes to those who “can establish they were actively advised ... in a way that gave clear expectation of admission.” Fourth priority is subject to availability, with admission on the basis of academic merit first and foremost. Affirmative action in respect of Maori and Pasifika students, and those who have “exceptional circumstances,” will also be considered. 
It will be possible to review and appeal the decisions, “in accordance with normal University procedures.” 
Victoria University has been faced with a similar problem of capacity, and has made the decision not to accept any domestic enrolments for undergraduate programs for the rest of 2010. Victoria Chancellor Ian McKinnon says the move was a difficult decision. “The University has no further capacity for new domestic undergraduate applicants this year. In addition, enrolling new domestic undergraduate applicants could compromise the quality of outcomes for current students.”
Two student representatives sit on the University Council. OUSA President Harriet Geoghegan and Victoria Nicholson, who was appointed by the Executive. Both voted for capping enrolments. “It’s unfortunate that we have to, but if we don’t we are at risk of having more students that we can afford to in 2010, which stretches resources,” Geoghegan says. “I think the way the University has gone about it is fair and they’re simultaneously trying to get more money from the Government. If we don’t do this ciurrent students will be disadvantaged and fees will rise.”
VUWSA student association president Max Hardy and the other student represntative voted against the proposals at Victoria University.
NZUSA co-president Pene Delaney is concerned about the future of students. “We call on the Government to increase total tertiary education funding in this upcoming Budget to ensure that all New Zealanders can continue to have the chance to go into tertiary education.”