M.P.s to be told of university cutbacks

Press, 6 October 1989, Page 4

M.P.s to be told of university cutbacks

By

MARITA VANDENBERG

The University of Canterbury council will send a report to all members of Parliament outlining the cuts in research and teaching that have been forced on the university by long-term underfunding.

At its meeting on Wednesday, the council called for the information to be prepared after receiving a detailed report on the effects of underfunding on the university’s education department.

The department’s report was requested two months ago, when it applied to the council for entry limits for two of its courses. Council members were concerned at the department’s claims that lack of resources had compromised teaching standards to the point that was now “teaching badly.”

The university’s ViceChancellor, Professor Albert Brownlie, said the education department report showed the kind of deterioration that was occurring in departments maintaining open entry while battling reduced funding.

He said student numbers had increased 20 per cent in the last two years while funding in real terms had fallen. Staff numbers had remained fairly constant while pressure on staff and facilities was mounting, he said.

Professor Brownlie said departments were left with three alternatives: to limit entry, to allow teaching and research standards to decline, or to find a compromise between these two.

The education department reported it had been unable to offer courses in computers in education. It had not been able to meet a demand to establish

courses in education administration, or the teaching of difficult or disturbed children.

Inadequate staff numbers had resulted in the department dropping five courses in the last two years and reducing class contact time.

“This year, stage 1 students were required to sit in aisles and on the floor in contravention of fire regulations,” said the report. The department has had to resort to multiple choice testing in some courses, in spite of its drawbacks. Essays could no longer be guaranteed to be marked in the fourweek period recommended by the Students’ Association.

Staff members have had to reduce their consultative work in the community and have had to turn down invitations to participate in advising on education reforms.