Student rolls still at risk

Press, 27 July 1988, Page 1

Student rolls still at risk

By

PETER LUKE,

political reporter

The $11.75 million boost to university spending announced yesterday might not be enough to prevent course restrictions, even in arts and science, said the chairman of the ViceChancellors’ Committee, Dr Wilf Malcolm. The increase — a supplementary estimate over the figure in the Budget — would go “some way” to meeting funding shortages. But it would provide no immediate solution, especially if enrolments rose again next year. Dr Malcolm had a two-hour meeting with the Associate Minister of Education, Mr Goff, yesterday, to hear a Cabinet decision on university funding. Mr Goff said that in addition to this year’s boost, a continuing level of increase of about $2O million would be given from the 1989-90 financial year. He described the increase as significant, saying it reflected vast recent increases in university enrolments. The $11.75 million would be a high proportion of this year’s total Supplementary Estimates. Mr Goff said that in broad form open entry to universities would be maintained, but some restrictions had existed for at least a decade. Dr Malcolm said it was too soon to say whether university fees would have to be increased. But within the level of resources universities wanted to maintain open entry to arts and science courses. “It may mean that many students entering those degrees might not be able to get into courses of their first preference,” he said.

Goff on fees, page 8