13 August 1997 Lincoln sets tuition fees for 1998

Lincoln University has opened the round of university fee setting for 1998 with no increase in its international scale of charges and only a single figure average rise for domestic students.

Fees for some 1998 degree courses have been held at 1997 levels, with others increasing by up to 8.3 percent.

The overall average rise of 6.5 percent is well down on the double figure increases made by most New Zealand universities last year.

International fees for some degrees will rise by up to 4 percent in 1999.

"The increase in tuition fees for domestic students in 1998 could be held at this lower level because of the announcement in the recent Budget of a reduction in the extent of the Government's planned funding cuts for universities," says Vice­ Chancellor Dr Frank Wood.

"Lincoln has held its fees rise to an absolute minimum.

"Like all tertiary institutions, Lincoln faces a challenging financial environment. Given this level of fees increase and given the tight financial environment, we will have to keep our expenditure under tight control in 1998," he says.

Ian Collins, Journalist, Lincoln University, Canterbury, New Zealand