Student Services Fees Submissions
Tertiary Education Policy
Ministry of Education
PO Box 1666
Wellington 6140
Re: Education (Compulsory Student Services Fees) Notice 2011
- 1. Introduction
EXMSS is a representative body that provides services and support, as well as on-campus representation, for 16,000 extramural students who study at Massey University. EXMSS employs five staff members, is governed by a committee made up of members, and operates under the rules of the Incorporated Societies Act. Services include independent advocacy, shuttle services between campuses and airports, help desks, free phone to lecturers, hardship support, scholarships, regional support network, online community, graduation events and peer-to-peer paper reviews
- 2. Establishing a framework and a focus
Although EXMSS supports the Education (Compulsory Student Services Fees) Notice 2011 objective to establish a framework for how compulsory fees for student services are administered for the purposes of ensuring transparency and accountability of providers to students, the Notice is unnecessarily restricts provisions of the Education Amendment Act (No.4) Act which asks tertiary institutions to establish adequate arrangements for decisions to be made jointly or in consultation with the students enrolled at the institution on the particular type of student services to be made available to students.
It is EXMSS’ view that the Notice should focus on its intended purpose: to establish a framework for how compulsory fees for student services are administered, and broaden the directive regarding the specific services that may be offered.
EXMSS would prefer to see a focus on improved processes and principles, rather than strict regulation an appropriate mechanism for addressing changes to service provision funded by the student services levy.
Ordinarily, service frameworks provide a systematic approach on which to tackle an agenda of maintaining standards and quality across the sector. Service frameworks may define service models and standards, but do not define, in detail, the services themselves.
A normal framework would include principles of service delivery (such as, accessibility, equity, and observance of the Treaty of Waitangi), sector-wide goals of service delivery (such as, improvement of academic achievement and student satisfaction), as well as an expectation of reporting against agreed standards.
Such a framework, in which services can be tested against principles for suitability, rather than services being prescribed in a seemingly haphazard manner, will allow the sector to apply the principles of the Education Amendment Act (No.4) – without unnecessary restrictions from central government politicians, but with a clear understanding of the shared aims aim of providing needed services.
- 3. Communications
The Education (Compulsory Student Services Fees) Notice 2011 stipulates that the Student Service Levy may fund communications, such as the EXMSS website and Facebook site, and the EXMSS Off Campus magazine, but does not specifically extend to non-media postage or e-mail communications, which are utilised by our association more than any other students’ association, particularly as our members are in several countries in the world as well as throughout New Zealand and are often sent correspondence such as academic writing guides.
According to the Ministry of Education, posting out academic support services to students and any other non-media posting is not covered within the current wording of this Notice. It is EXMSS’ contention that providing academic support is most important, and probably seen as more important than student media, but we consider both should be equally provided for under this Notice.
- 4. The role of students and tertiary institutes in decisions on service provision
EXMSS would welcome the statement of principles and goals for any service delivery provided through the Student Service Levy. However, EXMSS believes it should be up to students, or their representatives, and the tertiary institute, to determine what services should be provided. Given that students must pay the levy, and the tertiary institutes must provide and show accountability for service provision, EXMSS fails to see the grounds for a government minister to direct what services students should be provided in the manner outlined.
- 5. Representation
Under this notice student services levies cannot be used to provide students with representation. Levies cannot be used to celebrate student success, as EXMSS does with an annual dinner for graduates. Levies cannot be used for shuttle services between campuses and airports to assist students in travelling to contact courses, nor can they be used for a free phone to contact lecturers.
EXMSS submits provision should be made under the Student Service Levy for all these important services, most of which are not provided for internal students for obvious reasons.
At EXMSS, contrary to what the Minister may believe, we keep our heads down and actively provide services, advocacy and representation to more than 16,000 extramural students. We represent and advocate for students on, among others, the Massey’s Academic Board, Academic Committee, and the Teaching and Learning Committee.
While representation may not be seen as part of the core academic provision of a tertiary institution; it is nevertheless of vital importance in supporting participation and achievement in tertiary education. In the USA it is recognised as an entitlement, and in Europe the 1999 Bolonga declaration signalled a commitment to active participation of students in representation and overall improvement of educational opportunities and outcomes.
EXMSS therefore submits that representation should be a student services levy fundable activity and be provided in a manner as decided by students and the institution. Representation is among the main reasons EXMSS communicates with extramural students.
Pastoral care is a vital and broader service provided to support the personal and social wellbeing of learners. It can take many forms, such as Maori and Pasifika mentors and coordinators, and we would be concerned if the narrow definition of this category was to exclude such provisions.
- 6. Further comments and conclusion
Many of our students currently utilise the $1000 course related costs for transport to contact courses. As no financial assistance will be available for most of our students next year to attend compulsory contact courses (some students have to fly from the South Island to the Massey campus in Palmerston North), many students may require representation in seeking approval to continue their course without attending a compulsory contact course. Currently EXMSS assists and represents students in these
circumstances. Non-attendance of compulsory contact courses for financial reasons could threaten academic achievement unless some students are prepared to place themselves into financial hardship.
It is EXMSS’ view that the Notice should extend to all postal and
e-mailouts that support the production and dissemination of information by students – and student representatives - whether media (such as the Off Campus magazine) or otherwise (such as an academic writing guide). It is EXMSS’ contention that all services described in this submission should have the option of being funded through the Student Services Levy.
EXMSS recommends the service descriptions be abandoned and replaced with a framework that attends to the needs of New Zealand, the Tertiary sector and students. Students and tertiary institutions would be better supported with a framework that offers clear principles and a vision of the ultimate aim of student services – without unnecessary restrictions as outlined above.
Yours sincerely,
Ralph Springett – President
Dave Crampton – Vice President
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