It came as a shock even though the signs were there. I feel more could have been done to prevent this from happening and more could have been done to advise students in a more timely way. That said it is clearly the Government’s Tertiary Education Strategy (TES) that has closed Massey’s doors this summer. (There is a fantastic Off Campus article School of Hard Knocks discussing the end of open entry.) So what do we do about it? I am continuing to lobby the Government about the issue, basing my discussion around the submission to the TES I wrote last year and using the voice of the students to support my statements. I need you to reply to this blog so I can include your voice (anonymously).
Why don't they get it?
Massey is a big organisation and had begun the process of moving to a capped number. This was being done in a manner that was designed to reduce the impact on students. Good on you Massey. The Government then decided that that was not fast enough change and forced the capping of student numbers. The Tertiary Education Strategy is a Dog - especially for mature and part time learners. So let us now focus on the source of this misery and present a united voice in opposition. Tell us your story, your grief and we will get some public debate around this issue.
EXMSS feels it is unacceptable for New Zealand to have a Tertiary Education System that is unable to deliver the courses offered at the beginning of the year. What does that say about our Government’s vision and planning? Massey is not the only institution that has had to suddenly close its doors. For students this poorly organised, frantic dash to capped numbers, driven by a flawed strategy is completely unacceptable.
I was so gutted when I got the email saying summer school enrolments have been closed. I wanted to see whether or not I would be able to go to class or carry on extramurally before I enrolled but now I don’t have a choice, it was made for me ARGH!!! It’s so frustrating. The government use to say “we need a more educated society”, but now they are blocking us from getting educated. How STUPID is that??? ARGH!!!
This whole debacle has been handled shabbily to say the least. To send student an email at 17:10 on a Friday, to say that Summers School enrolments have closed was bad enough. To then inform you that they closed 24 hours prior is considerably shady. What were Massey thinking? This has severely damaged their credibility, and my trust for them has evaporated.
I am only greatful that after this semester I only have 5 paper left to complete, hopefully in Semester 2 of 2011. I commenced studying in 2004 extramurally and take 1 paper a semester alongside full time shift work. Summer Semester is vital to me in expediting my degree. I have been in communication with a lecturer reference a special topic paper for Summer for the last 4 1/2 months. I never enrolled early because the special topic paper had another lecturers name down and my lecturer said their was no rush. I have since found out that this is common and a lecturer is reassigned once you have enrolled. I am now in a limbo situation waiting to hear if I can still complete my Summer Semester special topic paper.
Unfortunatley I saw the writing on the wall last year and took all my annual leave from work to study two papers this semester, and doing the same next year to get this degree finished. I had an idea that things were going south for any extramural students who are slow to complete their degrees. It started with not issuing a folder with study guides under 750gms, and continues with electronic study guides. All cost cutting measures, that before long will make “Distance Learning” so distant that its just not funny.
After recommending Massey to numerous students who have enrolled on my glowing reports, I personally would not be considering embarking on extramural study in this current climate, as a mature student only doing 1 paper a semester. We are not the types of students that Massey want on their books, more is the pity………………….
I’m surprised there have not been more comments to this post – perhaps a bulk email to extra-murals would be the thing?
I’ve been affected in that I needed to do a paper over summer to fulfil the requirements of the BHlthSci schedule C – which surely could be considered a relevant degree. I applied for a special entry via the correct process but was denied without further explanation.
I am hoping now to do five papers in one of the semesters next year. This will complete my degree (assuming I can get in to all the papers I need) but I’m not sure what will get rid of that bad feeling of being treated so dismissively.
I feel for you and others in similar situations. The University has had a rap on the knuckles from TEC for trying to stick to its 2020 vision of growth. Yes it could have been handled better (in my opinion) but the demand has come not from more student heads but from students doubling their workload. (an extramural student who would normally take one paper decides to take two) This was unexpected.
In 2011 I encourage you to use all of Massey and EXMSS’s recourses to help you complete. If you need to resolve an issue with a lecturer or have unexpected bills that threaten your study then get in touch with EXMSS and we will do our best to clear a path for you.