AUT last NZ university to introduce student levy
AUT University will fall in line with its seven fellow New Zealand universities by introducing a Learner Services Levy from 1 January 2010.
The new levy is separate from tuition fees and will provide funds for the upgrade and expansion of student facilities and services. Vice-Chancellor Derek McCormack said the levy was necessary to enable the university to maintain and develop those services in an ongoing tight economic environment.
“The Government has indicated that investment in the university sector will remain static for the foreseeable future, meaning universities will be stretched just maintaining their high teaching standards and attracting quality academic staff.
“AUT has held off on introducing a levy, but we can no longer justify that decision economically. All of our tuition funds are required to service teaching costs, so the new levy will allow us to invest further in the facilities and support services that are also so important to providing an environment where students can achieve their best.”
The $360 levy (per full-time student) will fund a range of services, including:
- Extending Library opening hours
- Increasing wireless access across AUT’s three campuses
- A nil increase in City-North Shore shuttle bus fares for students for three years
- Providing improved student social facilities and gathering spaces by constructing the new WG Precinct on AUT’s City Campus
- Building a Student Recreation Centre on or near AUT’s City Campus within the next five years
- Providing at least $40,000 funding per year for AUT’s Student Business Mentoring programme.
McCormack said the AUT student association, AUSM, had been consulted in the lead up to the levy’s introduction, and had been concerned to ensure it would enable AUT to maintain student service provision and fund some new projects.
“The levy opens up exciting possibilities for enhanced facilities and services for our students, and AUSM sees this as an important part of providing a holistic, quality student experience.
“We will establish an AUT-AUSM Advisory Group to make recommendations on future student-related projects, and we will undertake to report back on how the levy funds are spent so that our students can clearly see the value for money.”
McCormack said the new levy was being communicated to new and existing students through a variety of channels.