As expected, Massey University’s Council moved to raise domestic undergraduate tuition fees by the maximum allowable figure of 5% in its October Council meeting. This was even though the Massey University Students’ Association Federation, which comprises student representatives from every Massey campus internal and extramural, had presented a detailed report into why such a move was mistaken. The student reps argued that raising fees by the maximum would weaken the argument for more Government funding because “it just demonstrated that the University would pass the buck onto students and not actually stand their ground on what is a Government issue”. They also argued for increased scholarships and student welfare funding however they were unsuccessful because the University has not yet set their budget for 2009. Perhaps most disturbing of all, Council chose to set fees in Part Two of its meeting meaning that with the exception of the student reps, no other students could even attend the debate.

“It is ridiculous that the University makes students pay a premium for their fees just so they can aim for a $20 million surplus,” said ASA President Brad Heap. “Universities shouldn’t be run like businesses; that is not their role in society.”

ASA President, Brad Heap, EXMSS President, Ralph Springett, and Maori students’ representative Royna Fifield all voted against the increase. The remaining Council members all

voted for.