The University of Queensland Senate has approved (March 25, 2004) an increase in Student Contribution Charges for most Commonwealth-supported undergraduate degree place students who commence their studies in 2005.
The start of the Senate meeting was disrupted because a group of protesting students blocked some Senators from entering the University’s Brian Wilson Chancellery building where the meeting was to take place.
This group of Senators convened in another boardroom at UQ’s St Lucia campus. The first part of the Senate meeting was then conducted via a teleconference link-up. Later in the evening, the full Senate reconvened in the Senate room and the Senate formally confirmed decisions made earlier by teleconference link-up.
UQ’s Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Paul Greenfield said the University regretted the disruption of the Senate meeting but understood that students were unhappy with the fee increase.
“Students have a legitimate complaint – but it is the funding model adopted by the Commonwealth Government which should be the object of their criticism, not universities,” Professor Greenfield said.
“Chronic and continued government under-funding has given UQ – like most other Australian universities - little option but to reluctantly increase fees.
“During a decade of underfunding, UQ has consistently urged the Commonwealth Government to provide greater funding for universities.
“Instead, in legislation enacted last year, the Commonwealth decided that the urgently needed additional funding for universities should be provided partially through a user-pays system.”
The Commonwealth’s legislation, passed in December 2003, requires universities to determine what level of Student Contribution Charges (SCC) will apply for new domestic students from 2005.
Professor Greenfield said the matter had been thoroughly discussed in recent months by the University’s Academic Board and by members of the Senate.
He said UQ Chancellor Sir Llew Edwards AC had also discussed the funding and fee issues with students earlier this month.
UQ’s Senate has approved a 25 percent fee increase in all courses, except for nursing and education, to apply to students commencing study next year. As with the current Higher Education Contribution Scheme (HECS), students will be able to defer repaying their fees until qualified and earning more than $36,000 a year.
Professor Greenfield said additional income generated from higher Student Contribution Charges would be used to improve the quality of teaching and learning activities. This would include employing more staff to address high student-teacher ratios and improve teaching and laboratory facilities.
Professor Greenfield said the Senate decision would be supported by the introduction of a range of new University scholarships to assist financially disadvantaged students.
At least $1million in University funding would be provided for the scholarships which would assist students from low socio-economic backgrounds with their living costs while studying at UQ.
In addition, the Commonwealth has also announced new Commonwealth Learning scholarships and has allocated 319 to UQ students from 2005, worth about $1million.
The Senate meeting also decided to open all undergraduate courses to full-fee paying students from 2005.
“The new higher education package places a seven-year limit on students occupying publicly subsidised places,” Professor Greenfield said.
“If any student has not completed their studies within these seven years – longer if they study part-time – they will be required to transfer to a full-fee-paying place.
“The University has therefore approved the introduction of a full-fee schedule to ensure all students have the opportunity of completing a UQ degree.”
Media inquiries: Colleen Clur 0413 380 012 or Lorann Downer 0413 458 317
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