21 October 1993 Students Tilting at Castles in the Air, Says University

Lincoln University's decision to proceed with the construction of a $1.2 million meeting room complex has the blessing of staff who originally questioned the proposal.

It is also a decision that was made in tandem with the go-ahead for constructing additional teaching space in the Commerce Building and for developing a new campus childcare facility, and a student fitness centre.

"Capital expenditure decisions always attract controversy," says University Registrar Allan Sargison, "and that's never been more true than in today's climate of competing demands on limited funds. However, the University has to take the long term view ... looking ahead to assess needs five and 10 years away.

"If we hadn't made responsible decisions back in 1988 over the Library, in 1989 over the Stewart Building and in 1990 over the Commerce Building, students today would not be enjoying such fine facilities in which to study and achieve their desired qualifications.

 "It has to be remembered that Lincoln University's roll has doubled over the past five years. We have had to provide the buildings to accommodate that growth and I believe that so far we have a track record of making the right decisions.

"Now, once again, decisions had to be made  - there was a crying demand for more meeting room space, a crying demand for more teaching space from a number of departments, and a crying demand, particularly from the students, for more childcare facilities. We have made decisions to spend money now and get on with this work. It would be false economy to delay what is essential.

"I firmly believe that future generations of students, if not the present generation, will say we were right. Certainly, as I've said, the record shows that we have 'got it right' with capital works decisions in the past.

"As far as the present plans are concerned, it is very important to point out that finance for the meeting room complex is not coming from the capital expenditure component of the EFTS (Equivalent Full Time Student) funding but from returns on prudent investments by Lincoln over the years.

"Furthermore, even if the money was not spent and put to some sort of fee reduction use it would amount to only about $12 per student per year.

"Another point that needs to be made is that the meeting room complex will actually help re- balance the accommodation situation by restoring rooms which were taken over for teaching purposes over the past two or three years."

Dr Paddy Austin, Director, Community Relations Centre, Lincoln University, Canterbury, New Zealand.