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The University of Auckland has come under attack from its own students over plans to restrict entry to all courses from next year.
A meeting of the Auckland University Students Association voted yesterday to condemn the university for its "complete failure" to adequately consult students.
The university's council voted in December to go ahead with the plan - which will limit the numbers getting into the now open entry courses in arts, sciences, education, theology and first year law.
The university argued rapid growth and a new Government funding regime have driven the need to slow rising numbers of undergraduate students and boost the proportion of postgraduate students.
While Auckland was the first to make the move, other universities were expected to follow suit. Critics said it risked a return to elitism.
The university created a taskforce to address worries that students from poor backgrounds and under-represented ethnic groups could be increasingly shut out.
Association president David Do said yesterday's 300-strong turnout was the biggest for years and showed how seriously students were taking the issue.
He said the group voted to oppose the elimination of open entry and to back the association taking legal action over the issue, if needed.
"This was the first real chance for students to show they feel about eliminating open entry," said Mr Do. "They voted overwhelmingly, and loudly, 'no'."
University spokesman Bill Williams said students were consulted on the university's investment plan, during which they were advised that restricted funding would require limited entry.
