Murdoch University Senate

The May meeting of Senate had given preliminary consideration to whether the University should implement HECS top-up fees as permitted under the Higher Education Support Act 2003. It identified additional issues it wished to see considered and some matters on which it wished to receive further information.

The agenda papers for this meeting contained the report of the Consultative Working Party; the minute of the discussion of the report by Academic Council; a background paper on the Higher Education Contribution Scheme (HECS); a paper from the Guild of Students; and a cover sheet summarising the salient information. A letter from the Rockingham Students Association Guild representative was tabled, as were two petitions: one from 453 staff and students imploring Senate not to increase fees above the current HECS levels, and one from 1,289 students, parents and teachers requesting that university governing bodies not increase HECS fees by any amount.

The Chancellor formally moved the Academic Council recommendations that the University set HECS levels 25% above the base rate from 2005, and that this not apply to those students currently enrolled even if still enrolled after 2008. He ruled that the remainder of Council’s recommendations fall within the Vice Chancellor’s ambit. He commended the students for the thoughtful way in which they had presented their case, and management for being scrupulous in ensuring wide consultations. He expressed regret that universities have to choose between placing a further burden on students and erosion of academic quality; any fee increase would be approved only with great reluctance.

The President of Academic Council (Assoc Prof Michael Borowitzka) gave a powerpoint presentation introducing the report. He advised that the key rationale for charging HECS top-up is to allow the University to continue to provide the highest quality education to its students. Murdoch is one of only six universities which will face reduced funding from the Commonwealth Operating Grant, and increased costs (including salary rises) are not met by the partial indexation. The University needs increased funds to avoid deterioration in the quality of teaching and learning. Evidence shows that increasing HECS will not affect the University’s ability to fill places, but may reduce cut-off scores in some areas/disciplines. The most important marketing factor for Murdoch University is the quality of the education the University provides.

A wide-ranging debate ensued, with nearly all Senators speaking. There was broad agreement that the University needs to increase HECS in order to have the funds to maintain a quality education for students. However, there were differing views on the optimal size of the increase: 15%, 20% or 25%. There was a brief discussion of a higher % increase in areas of high-demand or high cost or where the Commonwealth grant plus HECS does not meet costs.

An amendment to the motion, to reduce the increase to 15%, was moved but later withdrawn due to lack of support. The Guild President moved an amendment, setting the increase at 20%. This was carried 12-9. The amended motion was then carried with one dissent. Mr Menzel recorded his dissent.

It was agreed that the wording of (b) is subject to fine-tuning by management, who may bring forward clarification of this to the next meeting of Senate. Some Senators were unsure whether the existing wording would exempt students taking double majors or who change qualification when proceeding into honours.

The meeting agreed that a significant part of the extra HECS income should be allocated to ameliorate the effect on disadvantaged students and assist equity initiatives. There was support for this being a proportion of the extra income, and being greater than the amount recommended by Academic Council.

The Chancellor thanked Judge O’Brien for serving as Acting Chancellor while he had been on a research Fellowship in Canberra over the last three months, and for the capable job she had done.

The meeting closed at 7.32pm.