Students disgusted at Otago University fee increase

Otago University students say they are disgusted at a 6 per cent average fee increase, describing it as an indictment on the university, the Tertiary Education Commission and the Government.

The university council yesterday voted to increase fees by between 2.3 per cent and 16.9 per cent for different courses and by more than 50 per cent for the executive master of business administration programme.

New Zealand University Students' Association spokeswoman Camilla Belich said the university was in a healthy financial position and did not need to raise fees.

"This fee grab should be seen for what it is - a greedy lunge for revenue to fund surpluses and build huge new buildings," she said.

The association also blames the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) for granting Otago University an exemption to the annual fee movement limit of 5 per cent.

"We have no faith in their ability to grant exemptions, when they give them to one of the richest tertiary education institutions in the country," Ms Belich said.

"Many Otago students will face fee rises of 10 per cent because of the TEC's failure in this area."

Ms Belich said the association would be demanding answers from the Government about the fee rise.

The fee increases were opposed by three members of the 17-member university council.

- NZPA