14 July 1992 News In Brief from Lincoln University Council Meeting

Lincoln University has adopted a growth target of 4058 equivalent fulltime students by 1995, with an overseas component of 11.5 percent. Three growth scenarios were considered by the University's Executive Committee and the Council today (14 July) accepted the 4058 projection as a realistic basis for negotiating with the Ministry of Education. Leading up to the 1995 figure is an anticipated roll expansion to 3335 next year and 3700 in 1994. Lincoln's current EFTS figure is 2865.

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The University Council received an update of the 1992 mid-year intake figure from Vice-Chancellor Professor Bruce Ross. The total to start their degree studies this semester is now expected to reach 170. It stood at 140 last Friday night at the end of the official registration day, but snowy weather delayed the arrival of a number of intending students and the figure has been revised upwards.

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A language laboratory is to be installed in Lincoln University's Old Council Room on the top floor of the Hilgendorf Wing. The facility will be used initially for Maori and Japanese language studies. Three-quarters of the basic equipment is being provided by the International Pacific College, with which Lincoln is building up a collaborative relationship. The laboratory will be ready in August.

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Lincoln University Council is to establish an Honorary Degrees Committee and by October this year will advise on initial guidelines for the award of honorary degrees. The University Council is permitted to confer such degrees, but to date has not done so for lack of an appropriate mechanism.

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A new position of Deputy Vice-Chancellor is to be established at Lincoln University. The DVC will be the chief academic manager assisting the Vice-Chancellor and Council with the operation of the University by managing academic activities and policies and providing appropriate executive support.

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Lincoln University favours involvement with a proposed national academic quality monitoring unit, similar in concept to the Academic Audit Unit which operates within the British tertiary system. No further action will be taken, however, until it receives clarification on costs, relationships between the unit, the Vice-Chancellors' Committee and other agencies, and the relationship of the institution to the unit.

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Today's (14 July) meeting of Lincoln University Council was the last attended by student's association representative Dan Ormond, who is now based in Wellington as president of the NZ University Students Association, and it was the first meeting attended by the Council's new representative of the Runaka O Otautahi, Ms Irahapeti Ramsden. Of Kai Tahu descent, Ms Ramsden has her family roots at Koukourarata (Port Levy, Banks Peninsula).

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