Students face 15 p.c. rise in fees

Press, 27 February 1980, Page 6

Students face 15 p.c. rise in fees

University students may have td pay 15 per cent more -in -fees .each. year for four . years ’. from 1981, according to the principal of Lincoln College (Professor J. D. Stewart).

He told a college council meeting yesterday that the increase was proposed by the University Grants. Committee inits funding programme '.for'l9Bo-84, '’f. The increase would compensate; for a;.slight reduction;, inthe, ..block. grant to the'college,in the next five cei ye ■■ at(p tit’ $6; illion. frbth the gfaht/and ~ After the meeting Profes-

sor Stewart said he was not sure how much more students would pay.. Bursary allowances' at present covered 75'per. cent of fees, with students entitled to the allowance paying the remainder.

The average tuition fee for Students ?at Lincoln was $3OO. This would increase to $345 and the proportion paid by students might be changed . “Whatever happens, it is going to be more expensive for students to study at university,” said Professor Stewart.

? rftle- told'the meeting it was top early,to say what effect the. increase would -have ■ oh enrolments.

' The college would receive an increase of $300,000 in its bulk grant this year, although in real terms the grant remained static. Professor Stewart said the distribution of funds was fair considering the difficult economic circumstances. Universities had to bear their share of restrictions in Government spending. The college welcomed the grants committee’s introduction of an annual review of funds for some items to take account of inflation.

“This is not full indexation, but an annual review; Nevertheless, with .indexation of salaries ’, and the review of some costs we

will be better protected against inflation than in the past five years,” said Professor Stewart.

The college council was concerned about the committee’s request for a reduction in the number of nonacademic staff. The committee had decided that 50 administrative, library, welfare, and technical staff positions should be phased out in each of the next three years.

But the college’s non-aca-demic staffing was conservative and in some areas, such as in technical back-up and student-welfare-services, there, .was ■ justification for more staff. ' , I . ... ’Whether funds would be

adequate for the next five years would depend on student numbers and other factors.

If the number of students increased, the college would be under increasing pressure and this could lead to a decline in standards or to restricted entry to . some courses.; .. < The council 'elected a new chairman and deputy chairman to succeed Dr D. W. Bain and Mr J. F. G. Blakely, who retired at the end of last year.

Mr S. .M. Hurst was elected chairman for three years' and |Mr A.,.F. Wright was 'appointed deputy chairman’for one year.. ■