Extramural President's Blog » Extramural

Eight Years to Complete Starting 2012

ralph — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 07:59:26 +0000

Today Academic Committee, a committee of the Board, approved the introduction of the ‘eight years to complete’, ‘award a qualification that a student has not enrolled in’, and ‘complete under current years regulations’ regulations.

The eight years to complete regulation states that students have eight years in which to complete their undergraduate qualification. If they are demonstrating good progress, but have not finished, then after eight years they may be allowed to continue and complete by ‘pathway approval’. If their progress is deemed insufficient then they will be awarded a lower qualification where possible. Progressing from such an awarded qualification requires students to apply for a place again and the student’s academic record will be considered as a part of that place offering. If a student is able to continue the time to complete is prorated down according to the number of credits in the awarded qualification. Note also that if you change from one programme to another, the time spent in the first programme is part of the eight years a student has to complete.

Complete under the current regulations is somewhat self-explanatory. Each year Massey makes changes to the structure and content of qualifications. This regulation states that students must fulfill the requirements of the most current offering, rather than the requirements set out when the student enrolled, in order to complete. The difficulty here exists for students who have been enrolled for some time and the paper offerings that make up the qualification have changed. A student may find that additional compulsory papers are required or that some papers already completed are no longer part of that qualification. I have been assured by Massey that the impact will be minimal. I am not so sure. There will be some students who may be significantly disadvantaged by this rule and I hope that the University can arrange adequate transitional arrangements for them.

These regulations will come into force at the beginning of 2012. Calculation of eight years starts from the beginning of 2012.

I have been vocal in my opposition of these changes. Not only do they represent a significant departure from the traditional Massey principles of accessibility and flexibility, they carry the potential for serious disruption of studies. It should also be noted that it is the Government’s Tertiary Education Strategy that is driving these changes. Please be aware that without the voice of a student representative these rules would be significantly more challenging, particularly for part-time students. If you have any concerns about your situation, now or in the future, then give me a call and we will work together to broker as solution.

What’s the Plan Now We Have VSM?

ralph — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 08:35:52 +0000

Now that voluntary membership of student associations is in for 2012, what happens? There have been many meetings between the Massey students associations and the University. As early as March students associations looked to define a good systems for representation within the University. The idea, having a method of keeping students in touch with each other and a system where their views and feedback can be heard, got a positive response from University Council. However, how this will look, and what funding can be used, are still unknown.

The truth is, the VSM Bill has arrived at a very difficult time. Student associations can’t ask at enrolment if a student would like to join – enrolment is already open for 2012 and Massey’s enrolment software does not have that functionality. Also, there is no time to discuss what services the students need and want before the summer break. Furthermore, the nature of the services that can be funded has not been clarified by the Government.

Fortunately, Massey has made it clear that it values its student associations. And the Government has made it clear that services should be agreed between students and the institution. So we have the opportunity to present a strategy about how we might offer services and representation in a voluntary environment. The result for EXMSS is a document that describes one way forward: The EXMSS Draft Strategy and Position Document. Now we must consider all of the factors described in this document and negotiate, in partnership with the other associations and Massey, the way forward.

2012 University Fee Decisions

ralph — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 04:07:17 +0000

The fee decisions for 2012 have been held up due to the late passage of the Freedom of Association (Voluntary Membership) legislation. EXMSS, along with the other Massey associations, would like to discuss with students what might be suitable student association structures and services. But this is difficult when we do not know what sort of funding may be available.

What will fees and services look like under VSM?

The Massey University Federation of Student Associations have been discussing how change can be managed. And the associations have plans to describe the environment and possible structures and services to students in order for the change to be student led. However, before we have that conversation we must have clarity about the resources that may be available, and what scope there may be for service provision.

The FoA Bill is expected to pass into law at the end of September. Following that, information on fees; what is allowed and what is possible, will be made available to students. As a distance student, you can expect a summary of the fee changes on this blog (as has been done in past years), but also to be approached for your views so that student opinion can drive the future direction of EXMSS.

Tertiary Reporting Misguided

ralph — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 04:20:08 +0000

Ranking Universities by measuring completion statistics is yet another attack on part-time students. The concequence of lumping all student completions into a single statistic is that part-time students bring the ‘score’ down. This then acts as an agent of change; where Universities reduce their options in part-time study and look to enrol more full time students. The Tertiary Education Commission has recognised the model if flawed, yet they persist. It is Tertiary Minister Joyce’s ’efficiency’ model that is the driver for this behaviour with the logic being that young students provide a better return on investment for the taxpayer. What rot! Part-time students are likely to cost less; they have a lower loan uptake and are often already contributing to society by working as they study.

The effect of this policy is to drive school leavers to make decisions about thier education, and an average $28,000 debt, that they may not be prepared for. Concurrently, for second chance learners, the opportunity to better one’s situation is lost.

It is not okay to focus on youth, there needs to be a blance, both to take the pressure off our school leavers and to offer our second-chance learners education opportunities.

Hearts go out to Christchurch

ralph — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 07:53:57 +0000

Our sincerest condolences for those hit by the Christchurch quake. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

CONTACT DETAILS FOR

MASSEY UNIVERSITY AND

THE EXTRAMURAL STUDENTS’ SOCIETY

Information for distance students affected by the recent earthquakes

Health and Counselling Services:

Student Counselling Service (Manawatu – Palmerston North)

– telephone (06) 350 5533

- email s.counselling@massey.ac.nz

Health & Counselling Service (Albany)

- telephone (09) 443 9783

- email studenthealth@massey.ac.nz.

Health & Counselling (Wellington)

- telephone (04) 801 2542

- email m.e.khalil@massey.ac.nz

Extramural Students’ Society:

Phone the EXMSS freephone 05084EXMSS (0508 439677) extn 81182 or www.exmss.org. You have a local EXMSS Area Representative in Christchurch. Her name and details are Linda O’Dea

Bexley/Brighton
Christchurch
03 388 8087
027 445 5370

lindaodea@xtra.co.nz.

Or you can use the EXMSS freephone 05084EXMSS (0508 439677) and ask for Student Counselling Service.

Representing Extramural Students

ralph — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 21:31:14 +0000

Over the last few weeks I have been focusing my representational work on the issue of access and the issue of quality of provision. These two areas have the potential to affect many extramural students over the next few years.

Will extramurals find a place in the tertiary system?

The access issue has been discussed before (Limited Extramural Places) but there has been more discussion in the media. An article about our youth having nowhere to go for education and one about places for extramurals with comment about how minority groups such as Maori could be disadvantaged.

A document discussing the issue of academic quality has been presented to Massey. Here I outline areas where I feel the University needs to focus as it deals with the advance of blended learning. It is a wide ranging document that discusses the impact of blended delivery on the quality of provision as percieved by students. I have attached it below if you are interested in what I am saying to Massey’s policy makers.

Blended Learning Experience – Students Perspective May 2011 DRAFT

Student Voice has Benefits

ralph — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 00:10:33 +0000

Although alone you are connected

As you are aware the Student Services Fee increases 100% for 2010 ($31 to $60). We discussed the rise with Massey and we felt they had good reasons for doing this: improved services was the focus. We then asked what the services were going to be, how many students will they reach and will the students be told?
We then offered our views, based on students feedback, and negotiated for a few things that were missing from Massey’s planned ‘new’ services. Free phone to lecturers for extramurals, an improved hardship grant that has more flexibility to tackle financial barriers such as textbooks and travel costs, the ability to have your returned assignments independently reviewed and of course we supported the Massey initiatives which include more support for those who are struggling and more regional seminars. Massey have been great with their engagement with the student associations, professional attitudes coupled with a common interest in students success has resulted in tangible benefits for students. The final suite of services will be confirmed early in 2010.

National’s Draft Tertiary Education Strategy is a Dog

ralph — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 09:14:22 +0000

Is younger better?

I have recently forwarded a submission discussing the Draft Tertiary Education Strategy to the Minister of Education. This is EXMSS providing a voice to the Government on your behalf, you can read the submission here and the Draft TES here.

The Draft TES has no mention of life long learning, it appears singularly focused on full-time youth enrolments. The TES also indicates that funding for institutions will be related to completion statistics. This comes at a time when enrolments have been capped. So what will be the result of these changes?

Less places for part-time mature students. Late enrolment or late fee payment will likely result in exclusion. You may have to enroll (and pay) in January for summer school just to be sure of a place. The Draft TES puts pressure on Massey’s extramural numbers due to that mode’s completion statistics. For Massey one reaction would be to cut extramural numbers favor of internal places at Albany. This is not something Massey wants to consider but if the pressure keeps up then the funding criteria will govern Massey’s behavior: maximizing Government funding is a key component of Massey’s vision.

Maori will experience reducing access. Most Maori students at Massey are adults (over 25), If entry focuses on internal full-time youth, then Maori will suffer more than the average. The TES describes an education system that fails to consider the manner in which Maori achieve their educational goals yet is suggesting that the strategy will increase Maori participation in higher tertiary education. Who did the Ministry talk to before writing the Draft TES?

The Ministry has failed to write a coherent document; the Draft TES appears disjoint, misguided and visionless.

Massey has also submitted on the Draft TES and mirrored many of my concerns, but will the Government listen? If you reply to this strand then I will group up the comments and write to the Minster reflecting your views.

Capped enrolments. Who will suffer?

ralph — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 05:41:46 +0000

There is no more money to fund increased enrolments and on top of that, student success and completion will be a Government funding criteria. Welcome to the National world of Tertiary Education.

In future all universities will choose their students based on that students perceived ability to complete in a timely fashion. Many in society may agree that this reasonable.

Mature, part time, extramural students have the greatest risk of not finding a place at Massey because they are not best-fit for the funding criteria.

So what can be done?

As a student: pay your fees on time, do not have any outstanding fines, enrol early and in semester one and do not fail your papers! These are the areas that will be used for deciding who stays and who will be excluded.

As a member of EXMSS: Connect with the extramural community through the community website, add your voice to the discussions, participate in submissions and events. EXMSS will focus our community’s views, lobby and make submissions to the university and government.

Clearly questions remain.

Will Massey strategically retain its extramural focus or will Massey move towards the safer internal students? How will the cap be managed in the second and third semesters? Will offerings be reduced?

I am here to engage on your behalf. I am keen to hear your views. I will be submitting on the Draft Tertiary Education strategy in the near future and I am in constant contact with Massey regarding their future direction. Massey values your opinion. If you email the Vice Chancellor or myself the message does get though. Get involved. Blog, comment or contact the university. If you are concerned have your say.

This is my number one concern

ralph — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 01:31:44 +0000

Steve Maharey says; “Last week, officials from the Tertiary Education Commission visited the University to discuss, among other things, management of enrolments. The Government is seeking tight control of student numbers for next year. We will be doing what we can to comply during the coming enrolment period while we set in place policies for the future.

Another important topic discussed was the possibility of completion and retention policies. While these seem like good ideas, Massey will need to ensure there is extensive discussion before anything is implemented given our unique student profile. Our extramural students, for example, do not have the same study patterns as internal students.”

Check out the EXMSS media release on the Tertiary Student Nightmare