Universities' domestic limits 'bitter pill'

The decision by two universities to restrict enrolments has shut the door of opportunity for hundreds of prospective students, says the union which represents them.

Victoria University last night announced it would not accept any more domestic applications for undergraduate study for the rest of the year. Otago University decided yesterday to cap enrolments for several of its second semester courses, including some first year and open entry courses.

"This is yet another symptom of the Government failing to properly support increased demand for higher education, and the Government failing to support access to those who need education and upskilling," said New Zealand Union of Students Associations co-president David Do.

"At a practical level, these relatively sudden and unexpected decisions are highly unfair to potential students. Students have not been given proper notice that the entry requirements are changing, and that's going to affect their planning for moving into education."

It would be a "bitter pill" for them to swallow, he said.

Victoria University Chancellor Ian McKinnon blamed "a considerable surge in demand and limited resources" for the "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," he said.

Vice-chancellor Pat Walsh said the university would simply not be able to cope if enrolment targets were exceeded.

It had already taken steps to manage its enrolment numbers at the beginning of the year which had helped, but was not enough to cope with the recent acceleration in demand, he said.

The student unions were concerned that blanket restrictions like that imposed by Victoria could spread elsewhere.

"Polytechnics have had several millions of dollars funding stripped away last year, and now university budgets are buckling under pressures from underfunding and increased student numbers. Capped funding is leading to institutions shutting their doors to new enrolments," said NZUSA co-President Pene Delaney.

Applications from international students were still open.

Government funding criteria changed in 2008 to cover only an agreed number of students at each tertiary institution, prompting universities to cap student numbers.

- NZPA