Comments for Extramural Presidents Blog

Comment on Summer School Enrolment Close by Louise O'Donnell

Louise O'Donnell — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 23:01:08 +0000

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………………….

Comment on Summer School Enrolment Close by Staci

Staci — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 03:38:26 +0000

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!!!

Comment on Over 25s become ‘Special Admissions’ by Tricia Jamieson

Tricia Jamieson — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 02:17:23 +0000

Such a short sighted view of education. I wonder what the data is about the sucess and retention of over 25 years students compared to younger students, also interesting to look at this for extramural vs. internal. In addition how will people in the workforce,and paying taxes, be able to upskill. It is mature students who know what they want to study and why. They are already contributing to the tax pool and will actually contribute mare when they are upskilled.

Comment on Over 25s become ‘Special Admissions’ by Emanuel Maisel

Emanuel Maisel — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 02:04:22 +0000

I find it very stupid and not thought through. If over 25s are on special admission does the Government not think that people are preparing to get more educated so that in their late years they do not become a burden on them. Rather invest into the education system than later having people out there not qualified for anything and relying on Government help.

Comment on Graduation Week: the events and the student’s stories by Lyn

Lyn — Tue, 18 May 2010 21:51:35 +0000

I went to the Maori Graduation on the Friday – I was either singing or crying –what an amazing experience – highly recommend anyone to attend
The way each graduate was acknowledged was outstanding –oh and the haka – WOW!! It curdled my blood sent chills down my spine and memories from Auckland flooded back from my past (since I use to speak te reo fluently) So the words came back and I joined in to many of the songs (and the hakas) where appropriate!! A Never to be forgotten experience!! Thanks

Comment on Student Loan Changes by Staci Coleman

Staci Coleman — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 01:01:52 +0000

How is this meant to help???
Even if your not a parent the cost of living is high and there is no way I would be able to pay my own way.
For example, I work full time and I study full time extramurally but am still struggling with the cost of living (and I’m not a parent). Rent, Power, Phone, Internet, Food and Travel already chew up my money and I would not be able to pay for my fees on my own. The students association fee I could probably pay but not the actual tertiary fees.
What the government doesn’t understand is not everyone is on a wage they are on. Maybe they should take a walk in a broke person’s shoes and see how they feel when it’s over.
It’s hard to get a job without education but now they are making it hard to get educated. Hows that fair???
People who are trying to better themselves and living the hard way won’t be able to do so. That’s a bit sad!!!

Comment on National’s Draft Tertiary Education Strategy is a Dog by Rosendo Jaynes

Rosendo Jaynes — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 19:25:12 +0000

I am a student and i found your information on the site very useful for my study, Please keep it up.

Comment on Save our Services by ralph

ralph — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 00:58:34 +0000

Steve,
If you wish to opt-out please do so, the form needs only one sentence explaining your position. All exemptions have been approved in living memory.
The EXMSS fee is $40 and your compulsory fees (paper +student services levy) just over $600. That’s 6.5%.
If you need financial assistance then feel free to apply to the EXMSS SAP fund, transport in all Massey centres is available – just ask for the EXMSS free shuttle vouchers, if you have an issue with the universities compulsory fees I can arrange a discussion with the vice-chancellor or assist you in writing a letter to the Minister, Stephen Joyce.
If an assignment goes missing or you get marked unfairly, accused of plagiarism, can’t access the e-learning environment, get sick or need disabilities support then we can help. Thank you for your contribution to the system that helps students deal with these types of issues, I hope you will not be one of them this year.
Thanks for reading my blog and taking time to comment.

Comment on Save our Services by Steve

Steve — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 23:40:16 +0000

These fees are disgusting. I’m doing ONE course extramurally at a cost of $550. I then have to pay 20% on top for Student assoc/services fees.
The existing opt out is not an opt out. I have to complete a lengthy conscientious objection form complete with evidence. If this is ‘not approved’ I end out with a bad credit rating simply for refusing to pay.

Also, it says here you help students not to drop out. I wanted to drop out – rather than get a bad credit rating from Baycorp. However, the invoice arrived today and yesterday was the final drop out day for fee refund – very clever – you must get a lot of this.

Comment on The Many Guises of Increasing Costs by jonnynumber 5

jonnynumber 5 — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 22:25:29 +0000

I agree, if we are offering extramural papers, we should support them totally. one on campus is enough let alone two…..or four. If students are studying extramurally, alost all the resources should be avaialable online. i am a “geek” but prefer, often, to write notes on hard copy….something people should be aware of, even in this digital age! keep up the great work guys….