Students say NO to further fee rises

Auckland students are mobilising against planned fee rises by the University of Auckland. The University of Auckland Council is meeting next Monday at 4pm to decide on student fees for 2008. At this meeting they will be considering both domestic and international student fees.

"AUSA believes the University should put its foot down and lobby the government for more money, rather than simply taking the easy way out and charging students more fees," says Bethanie Maples, AUSA Acting President.

"We also believe the Government should stop consistently under-funding institutions as a strategy, and leaving students to shoulder the burden," she adds.

AUSA understands that the University must seek alternative sources of income in the absence of sufficient Government funding, and wants to work closer with the University to lobby for better government funding.

However, AUSA believes it is inappropriate that students continue to bear the burden of that inadequate Government funding. Higher fees adversely current students as well as graduates.

"Any decision to increase fees is directly voting for more student debt, increased impacts on the life choices of borrowers, negative impacts on our society and longer repayment times for all students, particularly women, Maori and Pasifika borrowers," says David Do, AUSA Education Vice President.

"We do not believe that students should shoulder the burden of under-funding in the sector and be forced to pay increasing tuition fees."

ENDS

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