Otago University Council voted today in front of a full crowd of students to support and participate in a National forum
which shall examine issues of tertiary funding and quality. The forum, which was proposed by Canterbury University last
week after a two day Registry Occupation, aims to bring students, staff and management from around the country together
to discuss publicly many of the huge problems tertiary institutes and their staff and students are facing under the
present government policies. The forum is planned to take place two weeks before the upcoming election and is expected
to issue public statements of concern about tertiary education under present government policies.
“I’m really excited that people around the country are acknowledging both the importance of tertiary education and the
real social cost that the present iniquitous policies are having upon universities and their students.” Said President
of The Otago University Students' Association, Steve Day. “I hope other Universities can join now in expressing their
support of the need for this forum. University councils, students and staff from around the country have been unanimous
in their dissolution towards government tertiary policy. This will be the ideal opportunity for us to pass on this
message with one voice to the government and to the wider public”