Government monkeying around with levy guidelines

September 14th 2011 by Sebastian Boyle

The proposal, dated last Thursday, aims to establish a framework for how compulsory fees for student services are administered, so as to ensure transparency and accountability to students.

It directs that student service fees may be applied to advocacy and legal advice, careers information, advice, and guidance; counselling services; employment information; financial support and advice, including hardship funds; health services; student media, childcare services; and sports and recreation facilities.

Services currently funded by the levy that do not appear to come under these categories include Maori Development, Pacific Development, Learning Skills, and Disabilities (Temporary).

New Zealand Union of Students' Associations co-president Max Hardy said the proposal would serve to further undermine student representation at universities.

"The Prime Minister told us that student services levies would be able to fund the services associations currently provide, and now his government is attempting to regulate the complete opposite," he said.

"On top of this, [Joyce] is expecting associations and institutions to adjust to a massively altered funding environment in just a few short months. They couldn't have done much more to make this as difficult as possible for the sector to manage."

The proposal also includes directives for education providers to make decisions jointly with students or their representatives on the expenditure of levies, and the types of services to be offered; as well as holding levy fees in separate bank accounts. Such measures are already undertaken at the University of Canterbury.

Submissions on the proposal may be made to the Ministry of Education by "any tertiary education provider and any other person, body, or organisation that has an interest in this matter" by 29th September.