International students angry about proposed fee rises
Hundreds of international and domestic students from Waikato University held a protest today against the University’s
plan to increase international student fees, and to call on the University to introduce Grand-parenting for all
international student fees.
“International students are furious that the University is planning to increase their fees again with no consideration
of the effect on the students,” said Sandy Pushpamangalam, President of the Waikato Students’ Union (WSU).
“International students are calling on the University to commit to grandparenting international student fees from 2004
onwards to ensure that international students have some certainty about the level of fees they will pay.”
“The University is treating international students as cash cows by increasing student fees to fund their big surpluses
and hefty salaries for management.”
“The University’s motto is ‘Ko Te Tangata,’ which means ‘For the People’ yet by increasing international student fees
without a cost case the University is treating international students cash cows, not people.”
“Students are particularly angry that the University will not commit to increasing student support services for
international students if fees rise including providing free access to Internet and printing facilities.”
“The support of domestic students was great” Said Mr. Pushpamangalam. Students will be attending the University Council
meeting next Wednesday when the fees setting will take place.
“These protests will be just the beginning if international student fees increase.”
ENDS