Massey students plan to 'pack out' fee rise council meeting

Student protests are expected today at a Massey University council meeting to set a 3.5 per cent fee increase.

The fee rise means bachelor or arts or business students will pay $113 more on average and science students will pay $128 more. Postgraduate research students will pay a maximum of $60 more.

Massey University Students Association president Andrea Grant said there was a possibility the meeting would be disrupted, as happened at Victoria University when that council tried to strike a 3 per cent increase.

"We are going to pack out the meeting," she said. "Obviously there will be student anger. I don't think we could determine what the student anger will result in."

Ms Grant said Massey had enjoyed extremely high profits recently and last year's $16 million surplus was being matched already this year.

But Massey University vice-chancellor Judith Kinnear said the surpluses of the past two years were due to an "unanticipated surge" of international fee-paying students. She said that would not be maintained, as Massey had put new measures in place limiting numbers.

Professor Kinnear said student fees had remained constant since 2000 but costs had risen. "Massey is committed to excellence and excellence doesn't come for nothing."

The fee increase would put an extra $2 million in Massey's coffers, which would go towards upgrading facilities.

Professor Kinnear suggested students take up their argument with the Government.

The Young Nationals Massey branch supported the increase, saying it was necessary.

- NZPA