Massey Staff Oppose Student Fee Increases
The Association of University Staff (AUS) Massey Branch Committee has announced today that it supports students in their
opposition to proposed fee increases at Massey University. Massey is proposing to increase fees by 5% for 2005, the
highest permissible under the Government’s Fee Maxima policy, at its Council meeting tomorrow morning.
“The answer to the inadequate funding of universities lies with the Government. The University should not be reliant on
student fee increases to balance its books,” said Harvey Jones, Massey AUS Branch President.
“The University seems to care more about making a huge surplus in order to meet vague Ministry of Education Guidelines
than it does for the welfare of its staff and students,” said Mr Jones. “If it is genuinely committed to improving staff
salaries, it would realise that a cash injection from Government rather than students is needed. AUS believes that
increased funding for staff salaries needs to come from the Government.”
“The AUS is trying to convince Massey University to agree to a national bargaining strategy, similar to that being run
by nurses, which will target the Government to fund a salary settlement for all university staff across the country”.
“Increased tuition fees will further limit participation in university studies to the rich or favoured, or to those
willing to endure a crippling burden of debt on completion of their studies. Such increases also see more students
working longer hours in employment while also trying to study full-time, thereby hindering their study”.
“Investment in tertiary education is a public good. The Government needs to put more money into universities to ensure
that a quality education can be provided. Given that the Government is currently sitting on a $7.4 billion dollar
surplus we cannot see why fees need to increase or why staff salary claims can’t be met”.