As if yesterday's news of yet another student association executive member being jailed for misappropriation of funds wasn't enough, I discovered today that Canterbury University has announced - with support from its student association - an enormous increase in its compulsory student services levy.
As of next year, this fee will increase from $85 to $533 per year – a 627 percent increase – in order to "maintain services".
If I were faced with a 627 percent increase in fees, I'd certainly be expecting somewhere around a 627 percent increase in services.
Does anyone really think this is acceptable? What do students think they are going to get for this increase? Is this value for money?
It's time for Voluntary Student Membership.
A comparison would be good. Can anyone help with fees for other Universities and Tertiary Institutions?
After asking around I've
After asking around I've managed to come up with a bit of a comparison of University Student Association Fees. Oddly these are not easy to find on websites.
Auckland University - $422.40
Waikato University - $248.00
Victoria University - $407.50
Canterbury University $85 this year, up to $599.63 in 2010
Lincoln University $312.00
Otago University $456.55
I'm having trouble finding anything for Massey.
Then there are all the other Tertiary institutions ...
Today's news that Victoria
Today's news that Victoria University Students Association keeps their president Jasmine Freemantle because only 74 students could be bothered to turn up to a meeting to oust her when a quorum of 100 was needed speaks volumes. I'm beginning to think that students deserve what they get. If they can't make the effort to take outrageous behaviour into their own hands when they have the power to do so then perhaps they should have to pay the equally outrageous fees they are charged - reminds me of a flock of sheep. Until a group of right thinking students rally around and deal with situations like these then nothing will change. Not that I'm in favour of these fees - Voluntary Student Membership I say. But sort yourselves out you guys.
Why aren't the Nats doing
Why aren't the Nats doing something about this? Don't they get it yet that Student Associations are a breeding ground for the left? And it's their kids too who are subsidising the training!
You folks do realise that the
You folks do realise that the student services levy is set and spent by the university, right? It has nothing to do with the association levy.
Hi, the levy at Victoria this
Hi, the levy at Victoria this year is $510. I am a part-time student who works. I am doing a short programme and only require 1 more paper to complete it, however I have to pay the full levy which almost doubles the cost of my paper for services I don't even use because I work. All other universities at least offer a rebate to their part-time students. Universities appear to be using the loophole in the Fees course costs maxima (which does not cover student's levies)as a way of increasing fees beyond the limit.
A quick search reveals that
A quick search reveals that this levy has very little to do with Student Associations.
Check out http://www.victoria.ac.nz/home/admisenrol/payments/services-levy-faq.aspx
It is misleading to link it to student association membership.
It appears that if you utilise the services e.g. high speed internet & IT support, student health consultation, student recreation centre (i.e. gym membership), you could get good value for money.
The services appear to be linked to the social health of the university, similar to social investment off campus e.g. libraries, community centres.
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