25 August 1992 Lincoln Sets Its 1993 Fees

An average tuition fee increase of 30.30 percent has been set by Lincoln University for 1993, which means fees next year will range upwards from $1064.

The rise, confirmed at the August meeting of Lincoln University Council, is an effort to recover revenue lost through Government under-funding of institutions. Phasing in its Study Right policy has led the Government to fund universities at a lower rate in 1993 than this year

With the establishment of the Study Right system last year, Lincoln structured its fees in three bands rather than opt for a flat rate approach. The three bands reflect, among other factors, the general ‘costliness’ of the various degree and diploma programmes.

The A band covers the degrees Bachelor of Commerce and Management, the Commerce degrees in Tourism, Transport and Hotel and Institutional Management, and the postgraduate Diploma in Commerce.

The B band covers Bachelor of Parks and Recreation Management, the Commerce degrees in Agriculture and Horticulture, the various undergraduate diplomas, the postgraduate Diploma in Parks, Recreation and Tourism, and Certificate in Wool.

The C band covers the Science, Landscape Architecture, Agricultural Science and Horticultural Science degrees, and postgraduate courses other than the Commerce and Parks, Recreation and Tourism postgraduate diplomas.

Fees for 1993 (with the current fee in brackets) are –

Band A: Study Right $1064 ($815); Non-Study Right $1304 ($999)

Band B: Study Right $1256 ($959); Non-Study Right $1544 ($1183)

Band C: Study Right $1544 ($1183); Non-Study Right $1904 (($1447)

Lincoln has retained the differentiation between Study Right and Non-Study Right. University Council members felt that to try to mask it would be to disguise a distinction imposed by the Government on the universities.

Retaining the course bands was also favoured, as a reflection of the true cost of delivery. Flattening out the structure would raise the cost of tuition at the lower end and this was seen as undesirable. The University has retained a measure of cross subsidisation from the Study Right to the Non-Study Right.

Students Association council representative Kristine Potter put the students' case for a flat rate fee.

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