• Day in pictures July 29, 2010
    Some of the most striking images from around the world on 29 July, 2010 […]
  • Your news, your pictures July 29, 2010
    News can happen anywhere at anytime - we want you to be our eyes. If you find yourself in the right place at the right time, if an event is unfolding before your eyes and you capture it on a camera or mobile phone, either as a photograph or video, then please send it to BBC News. […]
  • Your pictures July 29, 2010
    Readers pictures on the theme of drive […]

Summer School Enrolment Close

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 [...]

Freedom of Association Presentation to Select Committee

I have had the opportunity to present our Societies case to the Select Committee. The presentation went well. I was disappointed with the lack of questions following the presentation. Does that mean they have come to conclusions already? Perhaps the presentation was tight enough that no questions arose? You can be the judge of that. The [...]

Manawatahi and EXMSS working together

Manawatahi, the Palmerston North based Student Association that supports and advocates for Maori students, and EXMSS are working towards sharing their skills. EXMSS is keen for assistance with Maori protocol and getting in touch with Maori extramural students, Manawatahi is interested in support for their emerging operational and governance structures. By signing a Memorandum of Understanding today both [...]

Massey Moves to Monitor Academic Achievement

You are not alone. Support is there if you need it.

In line with expectations of Government, Massey is introducing a program of monitoring students academic achievement. This scheme intends to encourage students in their studies and provide guidance and timely support to students who are struggling academically.

There are three key reasons for the introduction of [...]

Over 25s become 'Special Admissions'

University study? Think again.

Massey and other universities around New Zealand are being forced to introduce regulations that deliver on the Governments Tertiary Education Strategy. Forced because some institutions would prefer to maintain a student body that reflects New Zealand’s education needs, not some reactive strategy that fails to understand educations role in society and economic recovery.

The [...]

Freedom of Association (voluntary membership)

I have been listening to submissions regarding the compulsory nature of student association membership. It is clear that a minority group of students are not keen to pay for services that they do not use. These students are independent learners with support systems in place and no financial hardship issues. Lucky them.

This group sees no reason [...]

Limited Extramural Places

 

Massey Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor discussing the future with those who will be making decisions

With completion rates now being used to judge performance and extramural students predominantly part-time and potentially entering with no formal qualifications it is not unreasonable for Massey to think hard about the place of extramural study in their curriculum.

Massey is committed to [...]

Graduation Week: the events and the student's stories

Christine Te Namu (Prersident of Te Waka) accepts koha for support of Maori extramural graduates from Tiri Porter (right) of EXMSS

What a fantastic week. Beyond the Walls exhibition, the EXMSS Graduation Dinner, all those ceremonies and the fantastic graduates. That will be you one day; a graduate. Perhaps you have already done the walk and [...]

DEANZ Conference 2010

 

DEANZ Conference workshop

After attending the DEANZ conference in 2008 and commenting on the lack of a learner voice I was invited to speak at the 2010 conference. The topic I chose focussed on the relationship students have with their institution and matching student expectations with institution capability. My comments were well received with the keynote [...]

Student Loan Changes

Stephen Joyce on Q+A discussing student loans and completion rates.

The Tertiary Education Minister, Stephen Joyce, recently alluded to changes for the Student Loan Scheme in the May budget. The most contentious of these for full-time students is the lifetime cap on the number of years you can take out a student loan. 6-7 years has been [...]