22 October 1996 Lincoln University Council sets 1997 fees

Lincoln University's Council today followed the national trend in increasing 1997 tuition fees for domestic students.

Fee increases were restricted to a weighted average of 15.1% in response to student concerns about the impact of increasing fees on educational access. This will result in an average increase of $342 per student in 1997.

In July, a report of the University Council's Fees Task Force had considered more substantial increases to fees to counter the effects of progressive Government funding cuts, inflation and Ministry of Education reclassifications of some Lincoln courses.

Students argued at the time that significant fee increases would increase student hardship and may lead to impediments to students entering university.

"The University Council has acknowledged these student concerns in setting fees for 1997," said Professor Roger Field, Acting Vice-Chancellor.

"The majority of New Zealand universities have set 1997 fees for domestic students at significantly higher levels than in 1996. Lincoln's average weighted increase of 15% is at the mid-range of these increments.

"Lincoln University is committed to minimising student fee increases while preserving the quality of teaching and research and ensuring that the University does not generate an operating deficit in 1997," he said.

If the University had passed on the full cumulative effects of government funding reductions and inflation, fees for 1997 could have increased by more than 50%.

Peter Dwan, Director of Community Relations, Lincoln University, Canterbury, New Zealand.